NEW YORK—Tens of thousands of runners finished the New York City Marathon on Sunday undeterred by the cancellation of last year’s race and the tragedy at the Boston marathon in April.
Last year, the Nov. 4 marathon was canceled in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, which caused large-scale flooding and damage throughout the city. In April this year, terrorists set off explosives near the finish line at the Boston Marathon.
Tara Wilson, a nurse from Port Washington on Long Island said the recent tragedies did not deter her from running in the 2013 ING New York City Marathon.
“You don’t want to live in fear all the time so you just go right ahead and you just keep going,” she said. She completed the race just under 3 hours. Walking out of Central Park at Columbus Circle, she said she was sore and tired, but also excited and emotional.
“I just accomplished my dream,” she said. Wilson felt the increased presence of police who filled every street and corner along the marathon course.
Police dogs and cameras kept a close eye on the scene as well. Many of those helping out at the marathon had to use transparent backpacks and clear plastic bags to reveal all contents inside.
Another New Yorker, Jerry Faulkner, 32, ran the race in 2 hours and 26 minutes. He came in 29th in the male division. Faulkner, who trains at the New York Athletic Club said today was a “real marathon.”
“It was a tough field,” he said. Faulkner was saddened by the destruction left by Sandy and disappointed that he couldn’t compete last year, but said it gave him more time to prepare.
Attendees and spectators welcomed the marathon as well.
Another Long Island resident, Charles Breslin, who volunteered at the marathon, was glad it returned after Sandy. He lost his home in the storm.
“You have to get back to normalcy,” he said.
Spectator Sarah Davidson who came out to cheer for the runners for the 14th marathon in her lifetime, said the extra security is “part of the world we live in today.”
“I felt completely safe,” she said.
New York Road Runners President and CEO Mary Wittenberg said the marathon has come a long way after Sandy and the Boston Marathon.
“This is progress and that progress has to continue. I really hope that today is another good step forward for us,” she said.
Because of the noticeable presence of police, everything went smoothly, according to Wittenberg. “There were zero incidents, zero threats,” she said, adding that there were more fans in Brooklyn and Queens than at any previous marathon.
Overcoming Other Challenges
To set out to run a 26.2-mile course in as little as two and a half hours is a feat between the runners and themselves and sometimes nature too.
For people like Wilson, competing in a marathon involved overcoming personal struggles.
“I’ve tried to do it four or five times,” she said.
Last year Wilson discovered she was anemic. Along with her training for the marathon, she had to run to the doctor every now and then to get her iron infusions. She was frustrated when last year’s marathon was canceled.
The finish line was a very emotional moment for Wilson, who at 36 completed her first New York City Marathon. She said it won’t be her last.
“Boston’s next, I want to go under 2:55,” she said, referring to the Boston marathon in April 2014.
Paolo Natali who ran the race with Faulkner said the race this year was especially tough because of a strong headwind that was slowing the runners down. “You had to pace yourself,” he said.
Daniel Davies who came from north London, U.K., agreed that this chilly November day posed its challenges. “It was a tough day, very windy,” he said.
This year’s winners were Geoffrey Mutai from Kenya, who came in at 2:08:24, and Priscah Jeptoo in the women’s race, finishing at 2:25:07.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
