The name of the legendary late, great runner Art Hall did not only resonate here in the local borough, but beyond, both in performances and deeds.
During his competitive years, Hall (who ran a marathon best 2:22:07 at the 1978 Boston Marathon) competed and made friends with many runners throughout the NYC metropolitan area and elsewhere.
As a board member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR), the local African-American running pioneer helped in the late 1970s and early 1980s to create children’s runs to promote the sport and its healthy lifestyle. In 2022, Hall, who passed away in 2011, was inducted into the NYRR Hall of Fame.
After his victory in the 1970’s at the Lou Marli Thanksgiving Day Run, Staten Island Sports Hall of Famers Art Hall (left) & Lou Marli (right) greet one another. (Photo taken from Advance archives)
In 2020, the Staten Island Running Association created the “Art Hall Memorial Service Award” to continue to recognize those who have served in keeping Hall’s legacy of service alive.
This year’s honorees are Aborn Etchison and Louis Vazquez.
“Art Hall’s legacy of service to the community lives on in the people he coached, the runners he met and ran with, and in his family’s continued service to the Staten Island community and beyond,” said SIRA President Michael Schnall.
“Two people who’ve continued Art’s legacy are Aborn Etchison and Lou Vazquez. Both are accomplished athletes who continue to nurture their love of the sport with work on and off the track, parks and trails,” said Schnall. “Both are worthy of the Staten Island Running Association’s 2023 Art Hall Memorial Service Award and we’re excited to celebrate them at our November 1st Marathon Week Legends Dinner.”
Art Hall IV stands next to a poster of his dad, Art Hall, who was inducted into the New York Road Runners Hall of Fame in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Benjamin)
“For another year, it is a privilege for my family to award Coach Lou Vasquez and Aborn…
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