The New York City Marathon is this weekend. I still get so worked up.
No other marathon in the country aside from Boston captures the imagination like NYC. Just over yonder, beyond the cornfields, it remains one of the most important races in America.
Its got everything. The big leagues. Founder Fred Lebow’s book, “Inside The World of Big Time Marathoning”, well worn grail never far from my side. Gone before I could meet him. His mentee and successor Allan Steinfeld, most interesting of companions, accompanied me and the US Team to Rio for a week lo these 8 years ago. Eloquent and educated, doctoral thesis on the Aurora Borealis. Mary Wittenberg is only the third Race Director of NYC. It was her I worked most closely with.
From ’02-’09 I received at least a dozen Women’s National Championship bid applications from the NYC Road Runners. Consistently for the marathon but also for the less marquis 8K. In 2005 I took *Ann Gaffigan (26th, 28:10, age 24) and *Suzanne Weeder Einspahr (32nd 28:46, age 34). Both were bested by a young lady that would move to Omaha that same year, Andrea Haver Bowen (20th, 27:54, age 24). Deena Kastor would win the 8K Champs that year in 25:05 (age 32), I’ve got a pic somewhere of me holding the finish line tape. Another young cat that stands out from that race, Ryan Shay. He would tragically die Nov. 3, 2007 during the Men’s US Olympic Trials in NYC. My Good Mate James McGown running his second Olympic Trials Marathon that same morning.
David Monti, gracious host, Editor of Race Results Weekly and Professional Race Coordinator. Taking me to his favorite pizza shop. The Italian dough flipper taking us to the basement, showing a priceless collection of vintage European Racing bikes.
Hard negotiations at our USATF annual meetings. Some leaving me shaken but not stirred. The NYC Marathon’s pockets used to swallowing all competitors. But not always best for our US athletes. Bargaining and bartering and arguing for the high ground, scheduling and courses sometimes trumping even the deepest stacks. Stacks that continue to provide TALENTED Americans the opportunity to race the best. And a shot at some of the $705,000 in prize money.
*Recognizing the historical performances of our top Nebraska athletes, they should never be forgotten and I’m just about the only one that remembers. One of the more value added aspects of RGS.
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