George Towle, 75, of Portland, Maine, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026.

He was born George F. Towle on May 6, 1950, to George and Marilyn Towle. He graduated from Bonny Eagle High School in 1968 before attending the University of Maine in Portland and beginning a career in teaching and coaching.

George Towle was an integral part of Maine’s running community and leaves a lasting legacy from his long career as a coach and race organizer.

As a Portland High School Track Coach, George helped establish the Southern Maine Girls Indoor Track Conference in 1983 and coached Portland to four championships in 11 seasons. It was in his early coaching career at Portland High School that he founded Portland’s Thanksgiving 4-Miler race. The race began as a community event for Portland and Deering High Schools, held after the football game to raise money for both girls’ track teams, with race entries costing $2 in advance. The Thanksgiving Day 4-Miler has now run for over 40 years and continues as both a food drive and fundraiser.

George Towle’s longest coaching career was at the University of Southern Maine, where he coached the Huskies women’s cross country and track teams for almost four decades. He was named the Little East Conference Coach of the Year for cross country (2007, 2008, 2011, 2012), Indoor Track & Field (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012), and Outdoor Track & Field (2008, 2011, 2012). He led the USM track staff to three consecutive LEC Coaching Staff of the Year awards (2015-2017).

In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the sport, George received the Maine Track Club Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and was twice honored with the organization’s Outstanding Contribution to Maine Running award. He was also an accomplished runner, earning Maine Track Club Runner of the Year honors in 1990 and 1997.

In 1997, Towle took a sabbatical to Kenya to learn more about their approach to running. He began visiting regularly and built relationships that would last the rest of his life. This included a post Beach-to-Beacon fun run in Back Cove with a meet-and-greet with Kenyan elites. Races he organized raised money for the St. Patrick’s Secondary School in Iten, Kenya.

As his connection to Kenya deepened, so did his involvement with Partners for World Health. George regularly transported bags of medical supplies abroad, ensuring they reached hospitals and clinics where they were most needed. He volunteered in any way he could—registering patients, taking blood pressure, and connecting with those he served. George’s quiet nature and gentle smile meant he always connected with the people he was working with. He especially loved playing games and soccer with the children who chased after him.

For George, nothing should get in the way of running. When a snowstorm threatened the start of the NCAA Division III New England Cross Country Championship in November of 1997, George “found a tractor to pull a rotating broom along the course”. The Portland Press Herald quoted him saying that the wintery conditions might actually help his USM runners: “We’ve always done well in this kind of weather. Maybe it’s the Maine upbringing.”

George Towle will be remembered for his exceptional coaching of runners, his mentorship of rising coaches, his stewardship of positive relationships between runners in Maine and Kenya, and his commitment to using the races he directed to encourage runners of all abilities and to raise money for charitable causes.

Surviving family includes siblings Anita Bailey, Haydn Towle and wife Tamarra, and Cheryl Lewis and husband Ken, brother-in-law Bill Caiazzo, and nieces and nephews Mike Caiazzo, Greg Caiazzo, Quinn Lewis, Bella Lewis, Jennifer Bailey Weiner, Amanda Bailey, Brianna Bailey, Jessica Prevost, and Matt Bailey. He is predeceased by his parents, George and Marilyn Towle, and his sister, Barbara Caiazzo.

In addition, George Towle is survived by his friends and former athletes in the running community. He knew you could do it, and he was right.

Everyone who wishes to remember him is welcomed to gather together at an informal, drop-in celebration of life to exchange stories, memories, and PRs at the Shipyard Tap Room (27 Hancock St, Portland, ME) from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 with remarks at 3 p.m. All who knew him or who ran one of his races are welcome and encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Partners for World Health or Portland Trails.