George Harrison An Appreciation
George was a runner, a fireman, a scuba diver, a husband and a Dad. Running was important to George, and George was important to Liffey Valley AC.
As a runner, Liffey Valley clubmate and friend, he was an example in his dedicated approach to training, his support and coaching advice for other runners, and his remarkable determination in overcoming injury and illness. With Nick Davis, George played a vital role re-invigorating the Liffey Valley Women’s section in the early 00s, freely sharing his experiences and knowledge of running (and lots of other things too).
With George, you didn’t have to be the best runner, but you did have to give your best. He had a great way with other runners – whether you ran at the back of the group, the middle or the front. Of course, if you were going too well and dropping the group out on the run, George wasn’t slow to promote you to go train with the faster groups.
After undergoing serious spinal surgery, George asked his surgeon if he would run again. The surgeon said he could walk, and in time try to jog a little. George told him “If I can walk, I can jog. If I can jog, I can run”. And he did run again. Within 12 months of that surgery, he was back to up to 6 mile runs and pickups around the Park.
Sadly, George passed suddenly in June 2008 after a run in the Phoenix Park. After his final run, he had put his running shoes under the bench in the clubhouse. They’re still there, now mounted on a plinth in his honour.
Thanks George, for all the miles and all the memories.