Scott Hamilton

hirunning on December 26, 2022

1928 – 2005

Scott Hamilton’s contributions to the sport of running are as impressive as his prowess as a runner. Scott was an active runner for roughly 40 years, dominating the Hawaii running scene as a masters runner in the ‘60’s through the ‘80’s. He typically placed or won his age division in international and national events (e.g., 1975 Toronto 10K, 1969 Pikes Peak marathon). His wide-ranging devotion to running and his generous acts in every aspect of the sport are unparalleled.  His many contributions include:

  • Scott is considered one of the pioneers of the Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club and founded and managed the Tantalus Marathoners (an organization that complemented MPRRC) which entered 3-4 relay teams in around-the-island relays.
  • A prodigious information chronicler, Scott wrote the Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club history in the late 70s/early 80s. He kept well-organized copious volumes of large binder scrapbooks full of photos, news clippings, and club events. 
  • Scott established the Scott Hamilton Award to pay tribute to outstanding leaders in running at the national level.
  • Scott founded Camp Hamilton in 1979, a running camp on the north shore replete with star speakers, running and relaxation, and socializing.
  • To demonstrate how slow and antiquated the local buses were, in 1969 Scott raced and beat a bus on the 10-mile route from Pearl Harbor to Waikiki. The event received much media attention, and a few improvements were made.

 Scott was born on February 20, 1928 in Fayetteville, Arkansas and died on July 30, 2005 in Little Rock at the age of 77. He received degrees from Cornell University, Oxford University and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard with an M.A. in Public Administration. He served as an Air Force officer in Korea and Japan. He studied under Frank Lloyd Wright as a Taliesin Fellowship apprentice, worked as a designer in France and Finland, before serving as City Planner in Anchorage. He was a member of Oxford’s first Himalayan Expedition to Mount Haramosh in 1957.