Guy Morse To Retire From BAA

BOSTON (CBS) - After 28 years of service, Guy Morse III is set to retire from the Boston Athletic Association at the end of this year.

Morse filled many rolls while with the BAA, ranging from Race Director of the Boston Marathon from 1985-2000, to Executive Director from 2000-2010. He most recently served as the Senior Director of External Affairs since 2010.

"I believe now is the appropriate time to bring to a close this stage of my career, having served the B.A.A. in a number of roles and in various ways for almost three decades," Morse said in a release. "I confidently look back upon our accomplishments during my tenure as a leader in the running industry and the community knowing that we are among the most prestigious and stable sports organizations in the world. I have been delighted to contribute to the B.A.A. as we have moved towards a highly professional model, and I cannot be more pleased that the B.A.A. and its many events, especially the Boston Marathon, stand on solid ground. I am immensely proud of the work we did – particularly in the difficult 1980s and into the early 1990s – in having essentially rebuilt the organization."

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Among the developments that have occurred at the BAA during Morse's tenure include obtaining long-term corporate sponsorship agreements, including John Hancock Financial Services and adidas, equal prize money at the Boston Marathon for men and women, and the development of the BAA's year-round schedule of events and programming.

"The B.A.A. brand has never been stronger, and the Boston Marathon has never been more popular or experienced greater demand than it has in recent years," said Joann E. Flaminio, BAA President.  "Guy's expertise and leadership have played a key role in that, and the B.A.A. is grateful for his loyalty and commitment which encompasses an entire career."

"One important facet of Guy's legacy with the B.A.A. is his role in building and developing the staff and participating in the creation of the race organizing committees," said Thomas S. Grilk, BAA Executive Director. "Guy is a consensus-builder by nature, and the work that he and those groups have done has resulted in programs and events which have strong value, positive impact and have advanced the B.A.A.'s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle."