The wind chill was 30-50 below zero the day George Brennock ran his first 50K ultra marathon (30 miles).
“It was in Peoria, Illinois, on Dec. 16 and it was 32 to 50 below with the wind chill,” said Brennock. “It was ten-5K loops. The guy I went with, him and I had to go indoors after each of the first two loops because our eyelashes were frozen – we couldn’t blink.”
They were able to complete it without further stops indoors as the sun warmed things up. It took Brennock 8 hours and 21 minutes to finish. His second attempt at a 50K- 30 earned him recognition in a runner’s publication with this: “One guy from Ohio had to drop out after 45K to get to his wedding.” That one was in Washington, D.C., on his wedding day. He’s still married and still running.
“At first it was a means to control my weight,” he said. “Here I am, I’m 58 and my 50th state turns out to be my fastest marathon in five years.”
On a wall in his Loveland home hangs a framed map titled “George’s 50 States Marathons” with city, date, and time for each race. Iowa in October was number 50 and made it official, Brennock has run all across America.
“I’m blessed I have a really great group of friends,” Brennock said. “Lecia Holley made contact well in advance with the race director and arranged for my race number to be 50.”
A couple of those friends ran their first marathon with him in Iowa. Brennock’s time of 3:34:39 qualified him for the Boston Marathon in 2018. They also qualified for Boston. It took him 20 years to qualify for Boston the first time. He never felt compelled to go back until one of them asked him to go run it with her.
“I’m going back,” he said. “Trust me.”
Running marathons began as a way for Brennock to lose weight. He and a buddy tried to do as many “obnoxious” things as they could before a race, like eating a gallon of ice cream the night before, just to see if they could still complete the race.
Brennock stopped running marathons for 10 years, from 1992 to 2002, to have a family. He began running again and 28 years after his first marathon, he ran his personal record 3:23 at Nashville, Tennessee in 2008. He qualified for Boston every race that year.
“George is like a good Pilsner,” said Erin Lawry. She trains with him and has run several marathons. “Like a Pilsner he gets better with age. He makes you forget when you are in pain (while running many miles) entertaining and motivating to do just ‘one… one mile!’ He’s bubbly and light on his feet! He’s a true athlete, an inspiration to many, yet humble enough to have a beer with!”
Brennock ran another marathon in November, trains daily and concluded a four-workout day with a 45-mile bike ride in early December. No finish line in sight, he is focused the goal of 50 marathons under four hours in 50 states. With 38 already behind him, he only needs to better the mark in 12 more. He has a marathon of stories to tell, but is most excited to share the accomplishments of his sons and training friends.
“Crazy, it’s all good,” Brennock said. “Almost like a fine wine. I love it.”