Every fall, the New York City marathon is held. Any competitive runner is eligible to join the race—even those who are handicapped.
About the Marathon
The first wave of participants actually happens to be professionals in wheelchairs who begin at 8:00 am sharp. Runners hit every borough as they start at the Verrazano bridge in Staten Island then pass through Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and finish in the heart of Manhattan (Central Park). This route totals 26.2 miles. People can witness this annual event through live television or in person on the street and join the crowds that cheer them on! Post-covid it is refreshing to see that people are comfortable joining together again as a community to continue the historical celebration of Central Park’s biggest marathon. People from all around the globe come to partake in the race, not just New Yorkers.
This tradition first started in 1970 in the month of September but now continues during every November.
Cash prizes
According to the New York Times, “The winners of the women’s and men’s wheelchair races will receive $35,000 each — $10,000 more than was awarded last year.”
An enormous amount of an additional 50,000 dollars is offered to a runner who can beat a marathon record.
The Winner(s)
This year, the fastest competitor was a man named Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia. His final time was 2 hours 4 minutes and 58 seconds. Every second counts!
Within the wheelchair division, another record was set by a woman named Catherin Debrunner from Switzerland who totaled the time of 1 hour, 39 minutes and 32 seconds.
Spirits Stay High
The inclusivity of the New York City marathon gives people of all walks of life a chance to race, show off their cardio skill, and be a part of history. In addition, without fail, the New York City community shows an immense amount of support by holding up signs, handing out water/beverages and snacks, and shouting/cheering to motivate those running.
You can check out the entire detailed route map and read more about the marathon here