The New York Road Runners

The NYCM, while branded as the premier New York Road Runners (NYRR) event, is just but one in a line of famous races that the NYRR organize every year. You may have heard about the NYC Half Marathon Presented by Nike, The Fifth Avenue Mile, and the Empire State Building Run-up. NYRR also play host to top feature events such as the US National XC Championship and more recently the US Men Olympic Marathon Trials. Helmed in the past by luminaries such as Ted Corbitt, Fred Lebow and presently led by Mary Wittenberg.

 

The NYRR celebrate its 50th Anniversary this year and the famous organization have put together a series of 50 video clips in 50 days highlighting the great moments and famous names associated with their events. If you've been captivated by the legendary marathoners such as Grete Waitz, Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, Alberto Salazar, you'll be able to see them in action here. I personally found the clip of Lebow and Waitz finishing particularly moving. If you like the clips, you can download it by first clicking on the video title and then right-clicking the "Click To Play" to save it. To get to the video page, just click on the image link above.

 

Their clubhouse is located 9 East 89th Street (between Madison and Fifth Avenues), less than a block from Central Park, and is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It's a must visit for me but I'm not sure if I'll have the chance to join their organized runs at Central Park - perhaps a few days after the marathon. We'll see.

 

To learn more about the NYRR history, please click http://www.nyrr.org/about/this_week.asp

 

From the NYRR website:

50 Great Moments in New York Road Runners History

 

There have been many great moments in the first 50 years of New York Road Runners: World records have been set, champions have been crowned, and millions of runners of all fitness levels have crossed finish lines—while so many more have experienced the life-changing benefits of simply taking their first steps in running.

 

Beginning today, we celebrate 50 defining moments in NYRR’s 50-year history. Each day for the next 50 days, we will post a short video that commemorates one special moment in time. These fascinating glimpses into our history were created and produced by our longtime partner Salmini Films. We know that they will entertain and inspire viewers, and that’s why, at the end of the 50 days, we’ll be asking all of you to help us select the greatest of the great. First, a panel of industry and media experts will choose, from among the 50, the top 10 Great Moments in New York Road Runners History. Then, we’ll pass these selections along to you, the running public, to vote on the single greatest defining New York Road Runners moment.

 

Check back daily, and stay tuned for information on making your vote count for the Greatest Moments in NYRR History.