NEW YORK—Flags from around the world marked the borders of this year’s route in Central Park, where an expected tens of thousands of runners are to complete the largest marathon in the world.
Runners are preparing for the nearly half-a-century-old event set for Nov. 3. We caught up with a few participants who shared with us how they are preparing for the 26-mile run.
Ailea Gray from Colorado told NTD that she runs about 100 miles a week when training for marathons. She ran the marathon five years ago and Sunday will mark her second time participating in the race.
“I’m really excited to be back.” she said. “It’s the energy out here, it’s unreal and it’s obviously such a special city and the whole town gets behind it.”
Last year, over 52,000 runners finished the marathon, which runs throughout the city’s five boroughs. And that number isn’t isolated to New Yorkers.
The event attracts an international audience.
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Ariane Velez from the Philippines said she was looking for something special. “I wanted something different. Something fulfilling. Something more challenging. So that’s why I chose New York City.”
She has been preparing for months—20 miles every two weeks.
We managed to find a champion along the route, Germán Silva, from Mexico. He was a back-to-back winner in the 90s.
He no longer runs competitively, but this is a marathon he does not turn down.
“Anytime is good for me because every year is completely different, a new experience,” said Silva.
The New York Police Department recently announced it would have bomb squads and other special units cover the race, but said this isn’t a response to any specific threat.
Since the killing of the ISIS terrorist leader by the United States last week, the NYPD has been monitoring terrorist groups. Silva said he trusts the NYPD will do their job well.
“Everyday, every second, everywhere you move, no matter what country, there are risks; but if you think about it, you’re not going to enjoy life,” he said.
