The TCS New York City Marathon makes its return once again this year on Sunday. The event will be completing it’s 50th anniversary this year. Last year the event went virtual to maintain the protocols that were place due to the covid outbreak. Participants were seen doing their to cross the blue finish line. 16,000 runners from 108 countries participated in the event last year. They were tasked to complete their own 26.2 mile run. This year the numbers are more than last year. So far it seems that around 33,000 runners will be crossing the five boroughs of the New Yori City.
Ted Metellus, race director at New York Road Runners said, “Coming out of such a pause in life, very similar to what we experienced in ’01 after 9/11 … was the shot in the arm that the city needed, that sense of life and energy the city needed, a connection and togetherness that the city needed.”
The event brought back the city to life after the devastating 9/11 attacks that shocked the entire nation. Ted thinks that the marathon is going to have the exact same affect on the people of New York City. The pandemic forced social distancing which affected socialising and communication. The event will once again bring the people together.
New York City Marathon is a “celebration of life”
The Marathon began in the 1970s and since then it is no more a local event bringing the local people together. The event has grown into one of most popular and largest marathon. Meb Keflezighi mentioned how the event is a “celebration of life” and is excited that the event is back. Meb is a 2009 New York City Marathon champion and also won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.
“To have the run is incredible,” she quipped.
Apart from Meb, the New York City Police Commissioner is also delighted with the return of the marathon.
Highlights
- The New York City Marathon makes it return on Nov 7.
- The 2021 New York City Marathon has attracted 30,000 runners this year who will be seen crossing all five boroughs of the bustling city.
- The event completes 50 years after its inception in the 1970s.
