A Look Again: Artwork Corridor blazed trails as each a runner and a civil rights pioneer on Staten Island

Art Hall was considered by many to be the “greatest runner of all time” on Staten Island and was a pioneer in several ways.

The Harlem native moved to Staten Island in 1970, where he rewrote the course of local history – burning the local street racing scene and destroying stereotypes with his incredible running ability, while at the same time opening doors for African Americans in a sport that had previously closed them.

In the 1970s, stereotypes often separated white and black runners – making blacks “sprinters” while whites were long considered to be the better distance runners.

Hall was perfect proof that not only could African Americans compete on the long haul, but dominate them in his case.

Despite the obstacles, Hall left a long legacy as a runner and pioneer, as well as a groundbreaking path, before his death in 2011.

The late large art gallery is considered to be the greatest runner in SI history.

PAVING THE WAY

“As a black teenage distance runner in the early 1970s, I was told many times by both family and friends that black people can’t run distance,” said former island runner Bill Meredith. “It was actually described to me as a science-based fact rather than a sociological problem.”

The harsh rhetoric did little to stop Hall from not only trying, but also being successful over long distances.

In addition to four top five finishes in the New York City Marathon in the 1970s, Hall also won the prestigious Penn Relays Marathon and set personal bests of 34 minutes, 53 seconds for 7 miles and 2:22:07 in the 1978 Boston Marathon.

He would later conquer the 1984 Triple Crown.

The African American Running Pioneer Art Hall (# 9) on Staten Island wasn’t afraid to mingle with the best as it competed against 4-time Olympic champion Lasse Virus (# 1) from Finland in a NYRR Central Park Race.

“During his time, Art was the greatest runner in Staten Island history,” said Bill Welsh, another SI road running legend. “When it came to fast times on the roads, from five miles to the marathon, the records were his.”

“What an inspiration to a young man of color,” remarked Sheridan.

Following his own success, Hall founded the North Shore Track Club and co-founded a community running program for school children with NYC Marathon co-founder Fred Lebow.

ADMISSION

While Hall was originally rejected by some members of the road racing community, today it is celebrated on Staten Island.

After its posthumous induction into the Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame in 2013, the district renamed the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Clove Road as “Art Hall Way”.

The corner of Myrtle Ave and Clove Rd. Has since been renamed Art Hall Way.

This month, the New York Road Runners, whose Hall once served on the Board of Directors, are honoring the Black Runners, including Hall, on Black History Month.

“Art was a pioneer in its time. He was loved by the running community and to this day has made a tremendous impact on taking the sport to new heights in both Staten Island and New York City, ”said George Hirsch, NYRR’s chief executive officer.

NYRR will host a 3-mile virtual event February 19-28 to mark Black History Month.

“During Virtual NYRR Black History Month 5K, we encourage runners to race 3 miles around the world in honor of black characters who have influenced or inspired their own communities. Runners are free to race at their own discretion to pay tribute to the black American distance runners who have an impact on the running community, ”said Christine Burke, senior vice president of strategic partnerships and runner products at NYRR.

Perhaps Meredith, who grew up an idol of Hall, best summed up his memory of the local legend:

“Art is known for his running skills, but more has to be remembered for the people he has helped,” Meredith said. “These runs weren’t just about running, but he asked about your family and if there were any problems he asked how he could help, no matter who you were.

“Art really was a gentleman in an unfriendly world,” he concluded.

Art Hall (2nd Row Center) meets with NYC Mayor Abraham Beame, Manhattan BP Percy Sutton and NYRR Leader Fred Lebow at City Hall press conference announcing the 1976 5-Borough NYC Marathon.