Living in New York City in the mid 80’s, “Marathon Sunday” was an excuse to barhop down First Avenue, cheering intrepid runners, while sampling bloody mary’s for blocks. It was a celebration like no other, as the city slowly recovered from the crime and chaos of the 70’s. As one founder, George Hirsch, described it in a recent New York Times piece “it was the best and most inclusive day in the life of the city.” Why is NY still the world’s favorite marathon?
A Bond
The pull of the marathon is gripping, when you witness people of all shapes, sizes, ages, outfits, speeds, form, and delirium – average joes and josies – running through all five boroughs, cheered by an equally diverse crowd of New Yorkers. An extraordinary bond between participants and spectators, a joyous epoxy.
It’s Personal
My marathon moment was 20 years ago in 2001, 54 days after the terrorist attacks. Waiting on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge for the race to begin, exposed to the heavens, I was not alone in observing we were a colorful ribbon, an exquisite target, despite the stepped-up security. Once we were off, pounding the pavement from borough to borough, the most profound juxtaposition took place. Fire companies with their equipment bedecked in flags, cheered us on as we passed their houses. It felt fraudulent to be lauded for running 26.2 miles by these heroes, whose efforts were herculean. I squared the equation by coming to the mile-by-mile realization that our footsteps were a show of defiance, healing a distraught and devastated city.
Why is New York the World’s Fave?
In its 50th year, why does New York endure as the world’s favorite marathon? Boston is older and tougher to qualify for (which offers bragging rights). London is well, London. Who doesn’t want to run by Buckingham Palace? And the Marine Corps Marathon is flat with stunning vistas of DC’s monuments, finishing in Arlington National Cemetery.
People
It is people who make the difference. That was the genius of founder and race director Fred Lebow, an immigrant from Transylvania. The race was as much about running as it was about celebrating New York and all its diversity. No other race attracted as many international runners from a spectrum of countries. He created a big event atmosphere with crowds who flooded the streets to cajole, entertain and motivate the runners. The runners, in turn, boomeranged the energy back, with boundless appreciation, as they ran from one diverse neighborhood through the next. Fred understood, palaces and monuments are grand, but the symbiosis of people in New York is electric. Happy Anniversary – and welcome back.