Mount Washington sits high above the other peaks in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and is known to have some of the worst weather in the world. Yes, the cold wind whips harshly at the top of the highest peak in the northeastern United States, but that didn’t stop the late George Etzweiler.
The mountain’s auto road climbs more than 4,600 feet along 7.6 miles to reach the summit. Driving up the road is something that people have bragged about on bumper stickers for decades, but the thought of running up that steep, winding road with the wind blowing you out of your shoes is beyond comprehension for most folks.
George was not like most folks.
The long-time State College resident holds the record as the oldest person to run the annual Mount Washington Road Race up that famed mountain. He last completed it when he was 98 years old.
You read that right. NINETY-EIGHT YEARS OLD, and it was only one of the more than a dozen times he finished that daunting race. For his efforts, he was honored as a member of that race’s hall of fame. Even after that, George kept running.
Last fall, at the age of 104, he again captained “The Old Men of the Mountains,” a relay team that competes annually in the local Tussey Mountainback 50-mile Relay Race. The relay team, comprised of members aged 65 or better, is a longstanding tradition of this esteemed event that has brought some of the top ultra runners to the area to run up and down along the gravel roads of the mountains of Rothrock State Forest, and George was their leader for 18 years.
George could often be found training out on those forest roads, and it seemed as though he would be forever running up mountains in his well-worn Nittany Valley Track Club t-shirt, with headphones on his ears while breathing so heavily that you could often hear him before you saw him.
For these reasons and more, George was an inspiration for runners and adventure seekers in Centre County and far beyond. It is why when George passed away in March, two days after his 105th birthday, Runner’s World again published a story about this wonder of man (through the years he has been featured in that publication and others numerous times).
But for those who were lucky enough to meet and interact with him, these accomplishments were just the icing on the cake. Because as amazing as his longevity and his running were, George’s life story was just as impressive.
You see, George didn’t even start running until he was 49 years old, proving that you can always start something new at any age. You never know where it might take you.
Of course, he had already lived a lot in those first 49 years of his life. He served in the Navy during World War II and then used the GI Bill to attend Penn State. Eventually, he worked to become a respected electrical engineering professor at his alma mater (I am sure that his students loved him). Most importantly to George, he had a wonderful family with the love of his life, Mary.
He started running to help shed those pounds that begin to add up in middle age, and then he never stopped.
Through the years, George always worked to give back, as can surely be attested to by various community and religious organizations around Centre County and beyond.
His obituary noted the volunteer work he did for the University Baptist & Brethren Church, for CentrePeace, for Camp Blue Diamond, and for other charitable groups. He also participated in the United Way’s Over the Edge fundraiser three times, twice rappelling down Beaver Stadium, including last fall at the age of 104.
Yes, when it came to his community, George was the real deal. I recall interviewing him at his home around the time he last finished the Mount Washington race. During our interview, he was generous with his time and his answers. Through all the jokes and the stories, a few things really stuck with me.
Number one was that after our interview, he planned to head down to his church to help fix some electric issues with some other friends. I was impressed, but I should not have been surprised that at his age (98 at the time) he was still helping others and working to make his community a better place.
Another thing that always stood out to me about George was how funny and humble he was. When I asked how long he hoped to keep racing up Mount Washington, he jokingly said he told the race directors he planned to drop dead at the finish line when he turned 100 years old. Then he had a chuckle.
Sadly, he never made it back to the finish line, but I am grateful that he continued to live and run well past 100, inspiring more people along the way.
The other big takeaway (and if you asked George, he might have said it was the main takeaway) was how much he cherished his late wife of 68 years, Mary, and kept her memory in his heart with each step he took and mile he ran.
When he spoke of Mary, I remember seeing a twinkle and a tear forming in his eyes at the same time. This was around the time that a short award-winning film about George called “For the Love of Mary” was gaining some attention. The beautiful film helps to shine a light on why he continued running for so long. I implore you to watch it. Just try to keep the tears from falling.
For me and many others who lace up running shoes or even just try to be good people, it was reassuring that George was out there running through life like the rest of us. I did not know him well, but every time I heard of a new race that George ran or when I saw a photo of him rappelling down Beaver Stadium or even when I happened upon him out in the woods, I always smiled and shook my head, amazed and inspired at the same time. George was a legend who showed us how to keep climbing up that mountain one step at a time, no matter how hard it gets. T&G
Vincent Corso loves exploring the outdoors in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
