Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today painted the finish line for the upcoming running of the 29th annual New York City Marathon, which will be run on Sunday, November 1st. The Mayor was joined at 102nd Street and East Park Drive in Manhattan by Allan Steinfeld, president of the New York Road Runners Club (NYRRC), Parks Department Commissioner Henry Stern and Department of Transportation Commissioner Wilbur Chapman.
"I'm very excited that more than 30,000 men and women will participate in this year's running of the 29th New York City Marathon," said Mayor Giuliani. "For nearly three decades, the New York City Marathon has been a tradition for runners all over the world. As one of the premier international sporting events in the world, the New York City Marathon is a literal showcase for New York City - covering all five boroughs and passing through many of its great neighborhoods. And this year, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the consolidation of the five boroughs into a united New York City, runners will truly be able to see why this is the Capital of the World."
"In addition to the endurance and athleticism that the Marathon brings each year, New York City also benefits from a total economic impact of $104 million," the Mayor continued. "And more than two million people stand on the sidelines to watch the Marathon, making it the world's largest spectator sporting event. I want to thank the Road Runners for organizing this New York City event, and wish everyone good luck next Sunday."
Last year's Marathon, marked by cold rain, was won by male runner John Kagwerman from Kenya and female runner Franziska Rochat-Moser from Switzerland. WPIX-TV Channel 11 will broadcast the Marathon live next Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm locally and will broadcast nationally on ESPN 2 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Logistical information about the marathon can also be found on the World Wide Web at the New York City Marathon Home Page at http://www.nycmarathon.org.
On September 13, 1970, New York Road Runners Club president Vince Chiappetta and entrepreneur Fred Lebow staged the inaugural New York City Marathon in Central Park. The 127 runners, who paid a $1 entry fee, raced the 26.2 miles through the Park with no water stops. By 1976, a decision was made to create a five-borough marathon that would showcase the City's many diverse neighborhoods.
This year, more than 22,000 men and 9,400 women from all 50 states and from 110 countries have signed up to run. Among the participants will be nine-time New York City Marathon winner Grete Waitz who will be running with fellow Norwegian Ketil Moe, who has cystic fibrosis.