Category
Athlete
Sport
Athletics
Hometown
Cap Pelé
Year Inducted
1983
athlete
George Gallant (D)
HONOURED MEMBER
Biography
George Gallant of Cap-Pelé must shake his head sometimes when he sees the tens of thousands of marathoners crowding across the bridges and through the streets of Boston, New York, Montréal and elsewhere each year. In his decade, the 1950s, long-distance running was an art and science reserved for a small number of talented runners. And he was one of the most talented, qualifying five different times for the prestigious Boston Marathon (and finishing as the top Canadian in 1952) and crossing the finish line first at least 15 times at major road races throughout the Maritimes, including seven consecutive victories in Dartmouth and eight other wins in Halifax and New Glasgow. “I think running will just always be in my blood,” he observed in 1974. This is indeed the stuff of champions. Inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame on June 4, 1983.
Quick Facts
Maritime champion in 1949 Ran in Boston Marathon five times (1950, ’51, ’52, ’55 & ’59); finished as top Canadian in 1950
Won Dartmouth Natal Day race 1956-62
Won Halifax Natal Day race five times
Won Canadian championship in 50 and over category in 1982
Finished first in three events at 1985 Canadian championships