Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, October 6, 1999

Release #390-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter 212-788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS RECEPTION AT GRACIE MANSION TO CELEBRATE THE 30TH RUNNING OF THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON

Declares Sunday, November 7TH, New York City Marathon Day

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani this evening welcomed members of the New York Road Runners Club to Gracie Mansion to celebrate the 30th running of the New York City Marathon, which is scheduled to begin at 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, November 7, 1999.

Joining the Mayor at the reception were New York Road Runners Club President Allan Steinfeld, nine-time New York City Marathon winner Grete Waitz, New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, New York City Sports Commission President Ken Podziba and representatives of the various New York City Marathon sponsors.

"I'm excited that New York City will host one of the last great sporting events of this century, the New York City Marathon, on Sunday, November 7th," said Mayor Giuliani. "As one of the premier international sporting events in the world, the New York City Marathon is a showcase for New York City - covering all five boroughs and passing through many of the City's great neighborhoods. The millions of people who come to watch the race and the millions more who will watch it at home will truly be able to see why New York City is The Sports Capital of the World."

"I want to thank the New York Road Runners Club for organizing this quintessential New York City event, and for all it does year-round to serve the tens of thousands of New Yorkers from all walks of life who love to run. In recognition of these important contributions, I am proud to proclaim Sunday, November 7th, New York City Marathon Day," the Mayor concluded.

The New York City Marathon was founded by Fred Lebow in 1970, when 127 runners completed four loops around Central Park. This year's race will begin in Staten Island at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge; continue through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx; and finish in Central Park. Since its inception in 1970, 470,000 runners have participated in the Marathon. The November 7th race is expected to draw over 2 million spectators and a television audience of 347 million in 150 countries.

This year, more than 22,000 men and 9,000 women from all 50 states and from 110 countries have signed up to run. Last year's winners were men's champion John Kagwe of Kenya, who ran the 26.2 mile course in 2 hours, 8 minutes and 45 seconds; and women's champion Franca Fiaconi of Italy, who finished in 2 hours, 25 minutes and 17 seconds.

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