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Apr 14, 2008 4:16 pm US/Eastern
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Statue Honors Life, Contributions Of Marathon Man
CHELSEA (WBZ) ―
Fire! is an appropriate starting point in a story about Hopkinton's George V. Brown.
From 1905 to 1937, he pulled the starter's pistol trigger in Hopkinton -- launching 33 packs of hardy marathoners toward Boston. But in the emerging world of international sport, Brown's hand was everywhere. "George, as we've come to find out, was one of the first great sportsmen of his era," said Brown's grandson Tom Burke.
Brown went to work for the B.A.A. in 1900. He was an Olympic track coach, official and committee member from 1904 to 1936.
His associates -- pantheon of sports figures from the early 20th century, including Jesse Owens, Johnny Kelly and Jim Thorpe.
He helped launch Boston University's celebrated hockey program. His contributions to that sport landed him in the hockey hall of fame.
Now, seven decades after his death, Brown is about to become a Hopkinton fixture again. A statue has been built in his memory.
The bronze statue of Brown is the work of sculptor Mike Alfano. "You're really creating a story in one single second, one stance."
The attention to detail is such that the starter's pistol on the statue was cast from an actual pistol used in Hopkinton for years. If you look closely, you can see the serial number on the barrel. "I know how interested he was in the athletes he coached and managed and I can see just an intense interest as if he's saying good luck boys, you're about to go to Boston once again."
This year that Boston-bound pack will include Alfano.
"Are you going to be distracted by your statue at the start? Aren't you just going to be looking at people looking at it?" asked WBZ's Peg Rusconi.
"I guess, you know, it sends shivers down my spine."
Like the sound of a starter's gun for more than a century.
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