Arthur Gonzalez
by Amy Duquette
This November, at 60 years old, Arthur Gonzalez will be running his 26th NYC marathon. His running career spans over 28
years with his first marathon completed only one year after picking up the sport. Of the 26.2 milers since then, he was
forced to sit out of only two. One year was due to a virus and another year he was set back by calf injuries. When asked
why he runs this demanding race consecutively, he simply says, "I just enjoy them." He is a life-long Brooklynite, a US
Bankruptcy judge, a man of determination and dedication, a husband and a father. Arthur is also a man of few words but
many miles.
In 1979, at age 32, Arthur picked up running. He had played sports for Brooklyn Prep High School, including football
and baseball, but a broken leg in his junior year proved to be a permanent set back. He never went back to either sport
again. However, in the late ‘70’s, running became increasingly popular in New York City. Fred Lebow took the marathon
out of the park and set the course through the streets, attracting a larger crowd. Many people in Arthur’s Bay Ridge
community were running and inspiring him to begin the habit himself. It was not very long until he experienced a 40
pound weight loss and what he calls an "obsession" with running. While still a rookie to the sport, he brought his base
up to about 60 or 70 miles a week. He almost immediately took a liking to distance running. He found a sense of physical
relaxation and ironically through running he worked out tight nerves in his neck that had still bothered him from his
football days so many years ago.
Arthur ran only three races before running a full marathon, all which he says were "enjoyable". These include a10K in
Central Park, the 10 mile Cherry Blossom in D.C. and then the Hispanic Half Marathon, (later to become the Manhattan Half).
By 1980 his miles per week were over 75 and in one week he finished 91 miles of training. This high base helped him to
finish his first marathon in a time of 3:26:38. His obsession developed into a love for racing. Last season he ran about
58 races winning the PPTC award for Most Races Completed by a Male. The year before he completed 37. He thinks that,
"It’s fun to compete and try to beat your own time."
Arthur has developed a high level of stamina through running that has come in handy at his work. Residing over particularly
high-pressure cases, such as the Enron case and the WorldCom case, two of the largest American bankruptcy cases, extend for
long periods of time. However, they still demand that he remain present and alert for the duration. Arthur states that
"running the marathon and other long races teach you to keep going when your body tells you to stop." They also provide
mentally training for the staying dedicated to something for the duration. But how does this judge get in 40 to 50 miles
a week of running? At his previous job working for the IRS, he would put in a day’s work in downtown Manhattan. He’d then
run the eight miles home to Bay Ridge every single day, all year round and then do the long runs on the weekend. Since 1995
at his present job, he runs during his breaks, plodding up the West Side Highway and back. There are times when his Chambers
will actually tell him to take the problem he is deliberating over out for a run. Six miles later, he usually comes back with
a clearer mind.
He has run thousands of miles, hundreds of races and 25 marathons. Of these, the most difficult one was undoubtedly in 1984.
At this time the number of fellow runners was still relatively low, at 14,590. Only two levels of the Staten Island Bridge
were lined with runners at the start and only one side of 4th Ave needed to be cleared. The race was less congested and
less of a media production, but it was held in October. Marathon day in October 1984 it was incredibly and unseasonably hot.
Runners were being showered off at mile 20 which provided only temporary relief. Because of this day, the NYC marathon is
now run in November. Arthur finished in a difficult 3:42:57 in ’84 as the 3,294 finisher. Even though this was his best
finishing percentage, his biggest fear for each marathon since then remains potential heat. "If it’s too hot, I know it
is going to be a long day."
The 1990 race was one of the most special. Fred LeBow had been diagnosed with brain cancer earlier that year. Not
only did he still run the marathon, but he stood at Columbus Circle and cheered on the marathoners with a friendly wave.
Arthur’s father had lost his battle with cancer just a few years before and the symbolism of this left an emotional
memory.
Of all his marathons, Arthur is much more concerned with finishing, not with his time. He leaves the time concern for
the shorter races. He feels that "this proves that I have not lost my perspective, even though some people may look at
me and think I am obsessed...I run races for myself. I get the benefits." Arthur continues to run 7 days a week, including
the day after a marathon. This year, being in the 60 and above age group for the first time, Arthur says that "As runners
we can look forward to getting older." The competition and the numbers in his age category lessen but he continues to run
strong and consistently. When asked what he envisions for the future of his running career, a smile warmed his face as he
stated, "Well, I’ll run until I can’t run anymore."