A Jamboree of Songs for the NYC Marathon Runners That Moved Me

Sunday, November 5^th, 2017 was the 47^th annual TCS NYC Marathon since it started in 1970. This year’s theme was “It Will Move You” and I have to say that, if you were one of the millions of spectators who gathered together to cheer the runners on from the sideline, some of the things that you saw would have really moved you in so many ways.

A medley of over 51,000 world citizens chose to fight to the finish line of this 26.2-mile journey in the misty cool temperatures from the starting line at the foot of the Verrazano Bridge in Staten Island all the way to the end at West Drive in Central Park near Tavern on the Green in Manhattan.  

This year was my fourth year straight rooting from the sidelines with a jamboree of songs and encouragement. Some of the teams that ran past my group as we sang to the melody of their feet hitting the pavement were Strides NYC, Harlem Run, Latin Runners Club, Willpower Fitness, Team for Kids, Black Girls Run, Black Men Run, Italian American Running Club and Front Runners NY, just to name a few. What I noticed was that there were more runners this year than I had ever seen in the past. And what a medley of them where you saw all types of people; big and chunky, small and lanky, lean and young, thick and gray, black people, white people and all types of men and women from all over the world all exhilarated to run, walk or get through the stretch in the best way that they could.

36-year-old Shalane Flanagan came in first place being the first American woman since 1977 to have won the NYC marathon. And the first man to cross the finish line was 24-year-old man from Kenya, Geoffrey Kamworo. And then in the wheelchair division the first woman to cross the finish line was Manuela Schar and the 1^st male to cross was Marcel Hug, both from Switzerland. But it wasn’t the fast runners with their collective energy that thrilled me the most, making me feel excited as we danced, sang, snapped selfies with some of the runners who stopped to thank us or give us a hi-five while encouraging the crowd of on viewers in Bay Ridge to make some noise for the runners.

It was the people who were in wheelchairs, those who were running with their trainers because they just got off of hip surgery but wanted to attempt the 26.2-mile run anyway, and the ones that were on crutches with one leg and still trying the run on for size anyway that made me feel overcome with emotion. As the slogan for this year said, I was really moved by them. I have walked 10.5 miles in about two and a half hours but that was it. I have never run 10 miles though. But these people who truly physically can't are thrusting through with  all the power God gave them to at least try and that is something. 

Sad to think of all the times that I complain about the little things like my train not stopping at my stop unexpectedly due to track repairs and having to walk a few extra blocks to get home with my two working legs and capable body, yet those without were able to put all their troubles aside to do something that seemed almost impossible without complaining and happy to take such a chance. Seeing them proved that nothing is impossible. I mean, in all honesty, would you attempt running a marathon after just one month of hip surgery? The courage it takes to be able to use the one working leg you have to run; I am amazed by that.

Check out a mini slideshow from where we were snuggly positioned from the sidelines in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, NY. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/gdNCcSY4U0Q 

Congratulations to all of the runners and thank you for all of the inspiration that each and every one of you provide.