Though
Marathon Sunday (as it’s often called) is not a holiday, it unifies the city as
much as — if not more than — many of our official ones.
When we
asked Times readers what the marathon meant to them, we heard from runners,
volunteers, spectators, proud parents, first-timers, New Yorkers, tourists and
many others about the magic of the race, a welcome break after weeks of vitriol
across the country and before the contentious midterm elections.
Here
are a few responses that made us smile.
“It’s
the best party New York City throws. We come together to
support each other as human beings. To get inspired, to cry, to laugh, to
conquer our fears.”
— Patricia Marte, 38, Washington Heights
“Unity. I run
for a charity that helps survivors of the Holocaust.
With the events in Pittsburgh last week, it is more important than ever that we
never forget.”
—
Joshua Gorelick, 34, Boston
“Instead
of ignoring each other on the subway, we cheer for every stranger and
passer-by even though they’re the reason all the streets are closed.”
—
Nancy Chen, 24, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
“For
most of my life, it has meant my father. He ran it in 1989, four years before
cancer took his life during my senior year of high school. Since I ran the
marathon in 2014, on the 25th anniversary of when he did, it means perseverance,
accomplishment and legacy.”
—
Mary O’Reilly, 42, Upper West Side
“Running
the marathon is my way of reclaiming a part of me that
was lost to depression and anxiety. I will be the one cheering myself on.”
—
Diana Yee, 35, Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
“Everyone
is cheering for all of the runners and against none of them, which
is like water in the desert in our current political climate.”
— Robert Gordon, 52, Lynbrook, N.Y.
“My
kids love supporting and cheering for the runners on marathon day by putting
out their little hands to give short high fives to anyone who wants
one. I’m surprised by how many people bend down to get that
encouragement.”
—
Tara Hayward, 35, Park Slope, Brooklyn
“It’s
the very best of New York. And a guaranteed seat on the subway ride
home while wearing your medal.”
— Ashley
Hess, 34, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
“The
emotions I feel that day are unparalleled — doesn’t even compare to a Yankees
World Series ring. Seeing people conquer their fatigue and pain at the 20/21
mile as we cheer them on is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding moments
as a representative of this great city and humanity.”
—
Howie Levine, 41, Inwood
“A 26.2
mile-long reminder that when New York City unites, we
are the greatest city in the world.”
—
Stella Warner, 25, Murray Hill
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/nyregion/new-york-today-marathon-sunday.html
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