New York City is famous for a wide variety of things like pizza, Katz’s Deli, New Year’s Eve, bagels, The Bronx Bombers, Amazin’ Mets, and of course… The Marathon. The New York City Marathon is certainly far from the oldest—Boston is clocking in at 127 years old this year—but it is certainly the best known and one of the largest with upwards of 55,000 participants.

Meb won the NYC Marathon in 2009, the first American to do so since 1982.
*Photo by NYRR*

However, back in 1970—upon its creation—it was a far cry from its current magnitude!

In 1970, rampant with graffiti, drug use, drug dealing and muggings, you wouldn’t dare venture into Central Park after dark (maybe even during the day). Race Directors Fred Lebow and Vincent Chiappetta knew that Mayor Lindsey wanted to get Central Park back on its feet, so they staged the city’s first marathon there.

The Great Lawn
*Photo by Central Park Conservancy*

The race was four loops of Central Park and had 127 participants of which 55 finished! The entry fee was $1 which is a huge difference from the $300-ish it is to participate today.

In 1976, in celebration of the United States Bicentennial, Civil Servant (and runner), George Spitz, proposed that the race run through all five boroughs. Fred Lebow objected due the estimated cost being upwards of $15,000. Spitz then convinced Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton (who now has a race named in his honor, the Percy Sutton Harlem 5k) it was a worthy idea. Sutton then convinced Lewis and Jack Rudin of the wealthy real estate family to put up $25,000. (The Rudin Family is still a major sponsor today.) The rest is history.

Since then the New York City Marathon has steadily grown and is now one of the Six World Marathon Majors, along with Chicago, Boston, Berlin, London and Tokyo. In part to the running boom that has swept the globe over the last four decades, attendance continues to rise (50,000+) and now just getting into the New York City Marathon is an accomplishment! If you don’t get accepted, the next best thing would be to join the two million+ spectators along the sidelines in every borough. It’s the biggest party of the year.

Runners crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
*Photo by Wiki Commons*

Today's event is very different in magnitude from the home grown 1970's version put on by the legendary Fred Lebow who in 1992 (in remission from brain cancer) ran the race in 5:32:34. I salute the statue of him that stands at Engineer’s Gate in Central Park every couple of runs, thanking him. Fun Fact: NYRR moves the statue to the NYC Marathon Finish Line every year so he can watch the finishers.

Fred and longtime friend Grete Waitz who won the NYC Marathon 9 times
*Photo by NYRR*

NYC Marathon 2008 (Finish Time 3:15:51) - NYC Marathon 2021 (Finish Time 2:58:30)

This year marks my 7th running of the New York City Marathon—marathon # 22 in total—and I’m wildly excited to run through the streets and neighborhoods of the city I love so much and call home.

The New York City Marathon

Ruppert Yorkville Towers

The Apthorp