For many people, summer is a time to unwind, escape the heat and set off on a relaxing vacation. But for many long-distance runners around the world, the summer when the hard work starts as they begin preparing for the busy fall marathon season.
For more than 50,000 of these passionate athletes – elite and recreational alike – the coming months of grueling training are focused on one objective: the chance to take part in the TCS New York City Marathon (NYC Marathon).
From humble beginnings in 1970, when 127 people ran four laps around Central Park, the NYC Marathon has grown to boast 134,000 applicants and over 50,500 finishers representing more than 130 countries in 2014 – making it the largest marathon in the world in terms of participant numbers. Celebrities from the entertainment, business and non-running sporting arenas – including tennis ace Caroline Wozniacki and TV star Teri Hatcher in 2014 – are among those eager to take on the challenge.
The race is a major fundraising event, with various charities collectively benefiting from the US$34.5 million (HK$267 million) collected by runners in the form of donations and charitable sponsorships. The economic impact on New York itself is no less impressive, with the city estimated to have benefited to the tune of about US$340 million (HK$2.6 billion) in 2010, including US$65 million (HK$504 million) to the hotel industry alone.
NYC Marathon has its own uniqueness
Held on the first Sunday in November every year, the NYC Marathon offers prizes totalling more than US$800,000 (HK$6.2 million) and is one of the six marathons that make up the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the others being Tokyo, Boston, Chicago, London and Berlin. But while very much a part of this series, in typical Big Apple fashion, the NYC Marathon has its own unique style.
A celebratory fireworks display is held on the evening before the event in this cultural and financial capital of the world and, the day after the race, the prestigious New York Times publishes a special supplement that lists the names and finishing times of every runner who completed the race in under 4 hours and 30 minutes. For many amateur runners, the chance to see their name in the New York Times is almost as exciting as taking part in the run!
Looking back at the 50 marathons I have completed in 23 cities on five continents – including all of the ‘Big Six’ – I rank the NYC Marathon as the most amazing of them all. The energy generated by more than 1 million cheering spectators, including over 100 bands and performance groups, that line the route combines with the camaraderie that exists among the runners to drive participants towards the finish line. Millions more watch the live television broadcast in the US and around the world, said Chris Weiller, Vice President, Media & Public Relations, NYC Marathon.
A Truly exceptional affair
Running from Staten Island at the foot of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, through the five boroughs and in the iconic Central Park in the most populous city in the US is a marathon experience that’s hard to beat.
Organised by the non-profit New York Road Runners (NYRR), the race owes much of its growth into a leading international event to former NYRR CEO Mary Wittenberg, who recently stepped down to join Virgin Sports. In an effort to raise the global profile of the race, Wittenberg brought in marathon stars such as Paula Radcliffe of England and Haile Gebreselassie of Ethiopia. She also developed a variety of pre and post-race activities, including a Health and Fitness Expo that now showcases the products and services of over 100 exhibitors.
With support from 10,000 race-day volunteers, attracting hundreds of sponsors and achieving 470 million social impressions on Twitter and Instagram, the NYC Marathon is now a truly exceptional affair that few other large-scale events can rival.
If you only do one marathon in your life – make it New York. It’s a remarkable experience that you will never forget.
– Ms Zoe Lai contributed to this article
（Photo: Provided by writer）
