LEWISTON – Bob Payne thought for sure that Scott Brown’s running career was over.

Brown, who turned 50 this summer, had full hip replacement surgery less than two years ago. At the time, Payne, a close friend, began soliciting support and information necessary to help Brown be recognized by the Maine Running Hall of Fame.

“He thought my career was over, that I was done running at that point,” Brown said. “I wasn’t so sure.”

The Hall passed Brown over the first time, but Payne remained persistent.

So did Brown.

One year after his surgery, Brown started running again.

One year after his first attempt, Payne resubmitted Brown’s resume for consideration.

Next year, Brown will run in what he said will be his final Boston Marathon.

This Sunday, Brown will be among four athletes honored by and inducted to the Maine Running Hall of Fame – alongside Erik Nedeau of Kennebunk, Julia Kirtland of Portland and Andrea Hatch of Castine.

Coincidental? Yes. But ever so fitting.

“I think they probably inducted me because they needed someone to hold the door while those guys went in,” Brown joked. “I’m really honored to go in with them. They’re all certainly worthy, and somehow, someone’s decided I was.”

Only the half of it

The hall of fame, which, of course, honors running and racing achievement, was no doubt swayed by some of Brown’s gaudier personal records: A 4:24 mile; a 31:10 10K; a 51:49 10-mile; and a 2:33:32 at the Boston Marathon, among others.

But the running and the racing, Brown said, are only parts of what makes his lifelong addiction to health and fitness worth it.

“What I remember more about my running are the people I ran with and some of the training runs we did, and some of the workouts we did, and the socializing and the camaraderie gained from that, moreso than the races themselves. The races were just a part of the evolution.”

He even took things a step beyond conventional small talk with one of his running friends. In a sense, thanks to running, Brown also found his current wife, Kelly.

“That was certainly another Godsend,” Brown said. “I had run for 20 years when I met Kelly, and I started doing a little bit of training with her again, and things kind of evolved from there. We both went through a divorce and were lucky enough to find each other.”

He paused a moment, then continued: “I don’t know how lucky she considers herself, but I know I am.”

Brown the builder

Racing is a big part of what Brown has done, though. And one of his bigger contributions to the New England running community came to fruition gratis a few good friends and a few cold beverages.

Over chit-chat and beer, PR Racing was born.

“I’ve always enjoyed the team atmosphere and everything that goes along with it,” Brown said. “That was kind of missing (after I moved back) up here. I knew Don Hebert and T.J. Hesler from running in some local races, and they contacted me, asked if they could come over and talk about some coaching opportunities. They showed up with a six-pack of beer, we sat at the kitchen table about what they wanted to achieve, and how I might be able to help them.”

PR Racing now has members across New England. A good chunk of the team’s membership is in the Lewiston/Auburn area, but the team is well spread out.

“We’ve got 45 to 50 active members now,” Brown said, “between here and New Hampshire, and a good-sized group that live in and around Portland.”

Looking forward

With his hip surgery well in the rearview mirror, Brown is looking forward to getting back into a regular running routine. He’s raced in a few local 5K road and cross country races, and even qualified for next year’s Boston Marathon.

“That will be my last one,” Brown said, almost begrudgingly. “My doctor, I think he knows I was going to do some marathons, but I don’t think he knew it was going to be this quickly.”

And, as he happily noted, he just turned 50, putting him into a different racing category based on age.

“Now I keep hearing that (other runners in the age group) can’t wait to turn 56, or 60,” Brown said. “I’ve gotten a few comments from the masters-aged runners who’ve thanked me for getting older, and so on. I guess that’s a good thing.”

First, though, he has to get through this weekend.

“It was kind of a distant thing when I first found out back in June,” Brown said. “Here we are going into the weekend, and the excitement level is rising.”