Jorge González (Puerto Rican runner)

For other people with the same name, see Jorge González (disambiguation).

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is González and the second or maternal family name is Rivera.

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.

Jorge González

Personal information
Full name	Jorge Luis González Rivera
Nickname	Peco
Born	20 December 1952 (1952-12-20) (age 71) Utuado, Puerto Rico
Medal record Men's athletics Representing Puerto Rico Pan American Games 1983 Caracas Marathon 1987 Indianapolis Marathon Central American and Caribbean Games 1982 Havana Marathon 1990 Mexico City Marathon

Biography

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

At the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, he secured Puerto Rico's first Pan American athletics gold medal.

Achievements

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing Puerto Rico
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
1986	Central American and Caribbean Games	Santiago, Dominican Republic	–	Marathon	DNF
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

• List of Puerto Ricans

External links

• 1983 Year Rankings
• Jorge González at Olympedia
• Jorge González at Olympics.com
• Jorge González at Olympic.org (archived)
• Jorge González at World Athletics