New York City Marathoners Finished What They Started
More runners completed the New York City Marathon last month than any marathon ever run--19,689.
The race’s organizers said the other day that total represented 96 percent of the 20,502 who started the Nov. 2 event. Of those who finished, 4,783 were competing in their first marathon.
The first New York City Marathon in 1970 had 55 finishers, all men. This year a record 3,323 women finished.
Marchel Ichac, 80, was the oldest male finisher, timed in 6:20:20. Six minutes behind was Bess James, 77, the oldest woman to finish. Gianni Poli of Italy won the men’s division in 2:11:06 while Grete Waitz of Norway took the women’s crown in 2:28:06.
Organizers said representatives from every state and 80 foreign countries were represented. France led the foreign contingent with 1,208 runners.
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