New York City Marathon Magnificent

Inspiring performances on November 4, 2007The New York City Marathon was not without
contributed to a classic New York City Marathon. Runheartfelt emotion and disappointment this year. Aside
on a crisp autumn Sunday, a record 39,085 runnersfrom the struggles every competitor faces and the
took their positions on Staten Island.fact that some entrants do not finish there were
The NYC Marathon began in 1970, a result of theother concerns.
vision of the New York Road Runners, who continueA day earlier, in New York, the U.S runner Ryan
to stage it. The initial race was contained to CentralShay, 28, collapsed and died at the 2008 U.S. Olympic
Park. This evolved into the present course, whichTeam Trials Men's Marathon. This resonated with the
runs through the five boroughs of New York. There'srunners as they learned of this tragedy in their
a buzz throughout these locations each year in therunning fraternity.
weeks leading up to the event.Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa could not race in the
This year's race saw Paula Radcliffe of Great Britainwheelers division. He had the misfortune of having his
emerge as the winner in the women's division. Martinchair not arrive on the flight to New York. The world
Lel of Kenya was the men's winner. Edith Hunkeler ofrecord- holder watched the race from the sidelines
Switzerland won the women's wheeler division; Kurtinstead of participating.
Fearnley of Australia won the men's wheeler race forMarathons, in general, are a test of the human spirit.
the second year in a row.To run 26.2 miles and have enough kick at the end
Paula Radcliffe's story is particularly noteworthy. Sheto fight off a competitor is an accomplishment. In the
lives in Monaco and on January 17 of this year shecase of the New York City Marathon, it's an even
gave birth to a baby girl there at the Princess Gracegreater accomplishment. The prestige and surrounding
Hospital. Less than ten months later, Radcliffe, 33,hype contribute to its ability to play on the runners'
crossed the finish line in New York as victor in thisemotions. Add to that the high-caliber athleticism of
race. A late race explosion of energy propelled herthe contestants and you have a dramatic script
ahead of Gete Wami of Ethiopia. Wami had takenalready in place. Once the players take the field, an
the lead earlier from Radcliffe. Radcliffe's winning timeintriguing story develops every year.
clocked in at 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 9 seconds.In a race that ends in beautiful Central Park the
The men's race had no lack of drama itself. Martin Lelelectricity is apparent. That's why it captures the
battled step for step with Abderrahim Goumri well inimagination of runners worldwide. In 2006, 93,000 plus
to the last stage in Central Park. Lel's strong finishingapplications came in for the race - much more than
power led him to a 12-second win over thethe slots available.
Moroccan. His first-place winning time was 2 hours, 9This year's race was no exception with throngs lining
minutes, and 4 seconds.the streets. The weather cooperated as did the
In the women's wheeler division, Edith Hunkeler, 35,staff and volunteers of the New York Road Runners.
broke her previous record for the course in a time ofFrom Staten Island, through Brooklyn, Queens, and
1 hour, 52 minutes, and 38 seconds. It was athe Bronx and then to the thrilling finish in Manhattan,
wonderful comeback for her; having severely crushedthe marathon continues to inspire.
her leg in a racing accident in 2006.Runners worldwide, as well as 2 million spectators and
Kurt Fearnley, 26, won the men's wheeler race in aestimated 315 million television viewers look forward
time of 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 58 seconds. He brokeevery year to autumn in New York and the
the course record in New York City in 2006.November running of the New York Marathon.