George Washington F. Orton (January 10, 1873 – June 24, 1958) was a Canadian middle and long-distance runner.

At the University of Pennsylvania, for whom he competed while earning his Masters (MA in 1894) and Doctorate (Ph.D. in 1896) and completed his ability to speak 9 languages,[2][3] he was captain of Penn's track and field team in 1896 and was a founder and captain of its ice hockey team in 1896–1897, and was known as "The Father of Philadelphia Hockey".

While a student at the University of Toronto in 1892, Orton set a mile record of 4:21.8 which lasted for forty-two years.

In total, he won 131 races, including a staggering thirty-three National and International championships.

Orton's competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics, held in Paris, where he represented the United States.

Orton had to give up either time or distance to other runners in these events, because of his success on the track.

Just forty-five minutes later, suffering from an intestinal virus, Orton won the gold medal in the 2500m steeplechase, setting a world record of 7:34.4.

Citing a lack of a proper facility, Orton was responsible for the building of the first indoor ice arena in Philadelphia, and the popularity of the sport took off from there.

He was the manager of the Penn Relays from 1919 to 1925, and helped nurture the event in its early years, making it the greatest annual track and field competition in the world.

His other books included the Bob Hunt series aimed at young men or boys who enjoy the outdoors.

[10] In 1911 Orton teamed up with Thomas Cahill to write a guide to association football, or soccer.