“It’s hard to believe I’ve been running for 35 years,” reflected Gary Morgan, or “Mr. Ubiquitous” as coined by Art McCafferty, publisher and chief executive officer of Great Lakes Sports Publications.

Morgan began running as a freshman in high school, and he was good. But where he really found his stride was in the competitive field of racewalking, which unbeknown to many was quite prevalent in Michigan during the ‘70s on through the early ‘90s.

He “walked the school halls rather quickly,” so in 1975 when his cross country team traveled to an AAU Jr. Olympic Track and Field meet, Gary was encouraged by teammates and coach to compete in the open mile racewalk event.

“I just went and did it,” Morgan reflected.

He did it well.  He went onto the regional meet where he took 5^th, and in 1976, he made it to nationals.

Morgan’s success in racewalking never deterred him from running.  He ran track and cross country throughout high school, and cross country and the marathon event for Oakland Community College while enrolled as a student.

For a number of years, Morgan just “left the walking,” but in the ‘80s, he “saw something about it” in the Michigan Runner sports publication thus his interest was revitalized.  Gary began training in Dearborn with Coach Frank Alongi who helped him to refine his technique and better his times. 

In 1988, Gary won the Olympic trials and represented our country at the summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.  He served as an alternate in 1992 and 1996 and carried the Olympic Torch in 1996 and 2002.  Over the course of his career, Morgan has earned seventeen national racewalking titles, distances of 5K – 40K, and in 1997, the New York Athletic Club for whom he has competed, named him their Athlete of the Year.

“Gary worked hard for his place as an Olympic athlete,” emphasized GLSP associate publisher/producer, Jennie McCafferty.  “No one has used his Olympian status to greater advantage for the sports of road racing, track and field and race-walking.”

Recently retired after 28 years of service as an electrician for General Motors, Morgan contributes a great deal of time volunteering for the running community.  He is an officer of the USATF Athlete’s Advisory Committee to the U.S. Olympics, our state representative for the Road Runners Club of America and a board member of the Ann Arbor Track Club.

Gary can also be found on the Running Network Television show where he works as an on camera reporter.

“He is a player,” remarked Art, “the most connected track and field athlete in Michigan.”

Also a writer for Michigan Runner, Gary reports on his numerous running adventures across the globe thus his nickname, “Mr. Ubiquitous.”

Most recently, August 27 – 28, Morgan ran the 29^th annual Hood To Coast Relay, otherwise known as “The Mother of All Relays.”  Teams of twelve run a total of 197 miles over the course of 24 hours.  The race begins at 6,000 feet atop Mt. Hood, Oregon’s tallest mountain.

“It’s pretty damn cool,” Morgan described, “to start a race at majestic Mt. Hood and know that 197 miles later, we will be at the (Pacific) ocean.”

Self proclaimed “modern day Marco Polo, outdoor athletic fitness nut,” Gary “lets things evolve,” while making sure never to miss an opportunity.

Morgan who enjoys mountain biking, cross country skiing, camping and pretty much all outdoor sports, has also added Bikram Yoga to his repertoire.

“That is good stuff!” he professed and having turned 50 in January, added, “In order to do everything I want, I have to stretch more – otherwise, my body tells me about it.”

For those who seek longevity in their chosen sport, Gary advises, “Pace yourself and cross train over the years, otherwise you won’t be as good as you could.”

Take it from the pro.