October 31, 2003 (New York, NY) -- The National Distance Running Hall of Fame has named Earle Reed of New Hartford, New York the winner of the 2003 Fred Lebow Award for lifetime achievement.

Presently Vice-Chairman of ECR International, Inc., Reed was inspired by the company’s 50th anniversary success to create a road race that would not only celebrate the company’s anniversary, but would benefit the community, while supporting and promoting the sport of distance running within Utica, New York. Now in its 27th year, Reed directed the Boilermaker Road Race for its first 24 years and was involved in its growth from 800 participants in its first year, to over 12,000 participants in its 25th year.

“My goal has always been to work together as a community to positively impact people’s lives by helping to make them feel better about themselves,” said Reed. “I have seen lives changed in dramatic ways and I am proud of the way the community of Utica, New York works together 365 days a year to bring Christmas in July to the city. The Boilermaker is unique in that it has this community spirit that can’t be crushed, a spirit that extends to the deepest parts of a person’s inner being and I am proud to be a part of that. ”

Established to honor the spirit and commitment of the man who co-founded the New York City Marathon and who worked tirelessly to build the race into a world-renowned distance running event, the Lebow Award was presented to Reed at a breakfast held in his honor on Friday, October 31 at 9:00 a.m., at the Tavern on the Green, in New York City.

“Fred Lebow used to say that he loved to go to races because he could steal some ideas,” Reed continued. “But it was an honor to have a guy like Fred Lebow to come to Utica, New York. He basically took a small race and built it into one of the best marathons in the world. Fred’s participation and compliments about our race helped our credibililty. He was very well known not only among runners, but non-runners, too. We had the same focus, to build up someone’s self esteem through running and to accept this award in Fred’s honor elicits great pride and appreciation in me.”

Reed’s other achievements include:

Currently serves as co-director of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame

Board member for numerous business and non-profit organizations, helping to raise money for a variety of charitable organizations

Received numerous community awards, such as Business Person of the Year in 1986, Distinguished Service Award from the State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica-Rome

Recipient of Runner’s World magazine’s “Bob Rodale Golden Shoe Award” in July 1993 and Road Race Management’s Race Director of the Year Award in 1998

Competed many road races including 4 Boston Marathons and has been inducted into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame, Utica, NY

“Earle Reed, like Fred Lebow, has demonstrated vision, dedication and commitment to the sport of distance running,” said Allan Steinfeld, President of the New York Road Runners and Director of the ING New York City Marathon. “Earle’s achievements reflect the spirit not only of this sport, but also of Fred Lebow – a man who demonstrated that the ability to succeed comes from inner strength and personal determination.”

The 2003 Lebow Award is sponsored by the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, the New York Road Runners, Runner’s World, Larry Rawson and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Contact: John R. Petrone, Co-Director, Hall of Fame, 315.724.4525.