Jorge González (Puerto Rican runner)
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| Full name | Jorge Luis González Rivera | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Peco | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 20 December 1952 (age 71) Utuado, Puerto Rico | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Jorge Luis "Peco" González Rivera (born 20 December 1952) is a former Puerto Rican Olympic runner. He achieved victory in numerous races and participated in various international events, including the Pan American Games and the Olympic Games. In 1982, he set the all-time record for the Ponce Marathon, a record that, as of 2023, remains unbroken.[1]
Biography[edit]
González gained significant fame in Puerto Rico, where he is affectionately known as Peco (after Pecos Bill, the fastest cowboy to ever live). Despite high expectations at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California, he did not secure any Olympic medals.
The peak of his popularity was during the 1980s, marked by national tours across Puerto Rico, autograph signings at department stores, and appearances in television commercials.
González, a native of Utuado, Puerto Rico, still resides there. The city hosts the Jorge "Peco" González Coliseum, named in his honor.
González's first marriage to Aida Luz Reyes resulted in his only daughter, Katherine González, who currently resides in the United States.
Athletics career[edit]
At the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, he secured Puerto Rico's first Pan American athletics gold medal.[2]
Achievements[edit]
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  Puerto Rico
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| 1982 | Central American and Caribbean Games | Havana, Cuba | 1st | Marathon | 2:26:40 |
| 1983 | Pan American Games | Caracas, Venezuela | 1st | Marathon | 2:12:43 (NR) |
| 1984 | Olympic Games | Los Angeles, United States | 13th | Marathon | 2:14:00 |
| Montreal International Marathon | Montréal, Canada | 1st | Marathon | 2:12:48 | |
| Honolulu Marathon | Honolulu, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:16:25 | |
| 1987 | Pan American Games | Indianapolis, United States | 3rd | Marathon | 2:21:14 |
| 1990 | Montreal International Marathon | Montréal, Canada | 1st | Marathon | 2:16:18 |
| Central American and Caribbean Games | Mexico City, Mexico | 1st | Marathon | 2:18:55 | |
| 1992 | Pittsburgh Marathon | Pittsburgh, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:17:33 |
| Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain | — | Marathon | DNF | |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Favoritos del Maratón La Guadalupe. Junior Lugo Marrero. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. Year 29. Issue. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ Caracas vio a Peco González robarse el show
External links[edit]
- 1983 Year Rankings
- Jorge González at Olympedia
- Jorge González at Olympics.com
- Jorge González at Olympic.org (archived)
- Jorge González at World Athletics
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- 1952 births
- Living people
- People from Utuado, Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rican male marathon runners
- Puerto Rican male long-distance runners
- Olympic track and field athletes for Puerto Rico
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1983 Pan American Games
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1987 Pan American Games
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1984 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1992 Summer Olympics
- Pan American Games gold medalists for Puerto Rico
- Pan American Games bronze medalists for Puerto Rico
- Pan American Games medalists in athletics (track and field)
- Central American and Caribbean Games gold medalists for Puerto Rico
- Competitors at the 1982 Central American and Caribbean Games
- Competitors at the 1990 Central American and Caribbean Games
- Central American and Caribbean Games medalists in athletics
- Medalists at the 1983 Pan American Games
- Medalists at the 1987 Pan American Games