One of the most significant sports events
conducted in New York City is undoubtedly
the New York City Marathon.
Founded in
1970 by Fred Lebow and the New York Road
Runners Club, the first annual New York City
Marathon was held in Central Park. At that
time, the race’s course included continuous
loops around the Central Park Drive, until
1976 when the route was revised to include
all five boroughs. The only feature that did not
change was the finish line ending in Central Park
near Tavern on the Green. Over time its
popularity has grown from just 127 runners
in 1970 to over 30,000 runners, representing
113 countries from around the world.
Every November, participants brave the
sometimes cold and harsh weather to go the
distance of 26.2 miles to prove to themselves
that they are all winners. As the runners
struggle to fight fatigue and thirst, many
thousands of family members, friends and
well-wishers line the avenues and paths,
cheering and waving to help motivate and
encourage them to continue onward. November
2000 was the first time that wheelchair
athletes were given a competitive wheelchair
division of their own.
For entry information contact the New York
Road Runners Club (212) 423-2248.
