A marathon goes to the archive, another will begin in 48 hours. On a cold sunny day Abdi Nageeye35 years old, Somali naturalized Dutch, won the 53rd New York marathon in 2 hours 7 minutes and 39 cents ahead of the Kenyans Evans Chebet (2.07.45) and Albert Korir (2.08.00), while the Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, Ethiopian, finished fourth at 2.08.12. Among the women, victory goes to the 33-year-old Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui, who finished in 2 hours 24 minutes and 35 cents, ahead of her compatriot Hellen Obiri (2.24.49).
Two victories more or less without history decided in the last 400 meters but without sprinting, in a clear way, where the strongest and freshest athletes won which makes more of a difference in New York than elsewhere. From Staten Island to Central Park, passing through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan: the New York ones are the most famous 42 kilometers (and 195 metres) in the world. It is not the oldest, it is not the fastest, perhaps not even the most popular, but New York, in the imagination of those who run and those who do not run, remains the most beautiful, fascinating and famous marathon.
Since 1970, the year of the first edition, to date, the number of registered athletes has grown exponentially, to the point of forcing the New York Road Runners, the organizing sports club, to establish a limited number of bibs. Last year there were 51,453 runners from 148 countries who finished the race, a record number considering that there were 52,000 at the start and this year the figure was the same, a river of “dreaming” runners who invaded in waves the Verrazzano Bridge and then went on to conquer Manhattan.
Fifty-three marathons in New York, more than half a century of history for a challenge that goes beyond the 42 kilometers and 195 meters that cross the five districts, like the fingers of a hand, as is written on the gloves on sale in all the sports shops in the city. New York is the only marathon that changes your life a little and will certainly change it Abdi Nageeye ea Sheila Chepkirui to their debut on the streets of the Big Apple and their first victory. “If you win somewhere in the world you become a top athlete but if you win in New York you become famous…” he says every time he is asked Gianni Polia piece of history of our marathon, the first Italian to run under 2 hours and 10 minutes over 42 kilometres, and winner in the Big Apple in 1986. And to Poli, but also to Orlando Pizzolato who arrived in Central Park with arms raised in ’84 and ’85 and Giacomo Leone first in ’96 the Nycm really changed my life. And not just them.
Life changes a little for everyone because for a marathon runner, running in New York is the fulfillment of a dream that sometimes makes you born and reborn. Or at least start again. Because in that river of people there is everything inside, with the race becoming the way to redeem oneself, to take revenge, to demonstrate to oneself that there is no difficulty, misfortune, illness or destiny against which one cannot fight, fight and maybe win. You just need to believe it and you just need to want it. New York is many stories. All to be told.
For the “Yankees” it is one of the great events of the year, a bit like the Superbowl, like the NBA final or the US Open tennis final with over 200 countries connected, with journalists from all over the world, with live commentary in over 500 million homes including ours with live broadcast on Rai who today, for the first time, was orphaned of Franco Bragagna’s commentary voice and, without taking anything away from the commentators who more than worthily replaced him, it leaves a void. And so he leaves it… But the Nycm obviously goes ahead anyway, it goes beyond those who tell it, beyond those who participate and even beyond those who win it. In 1970 when the adventure began there were 127 runners.
Six years ago at the finish line in Central Park the then mayor of New York Bill De Blasio had awarded the millionth competitor who reached the finish line. An infinite, unimaginable number which however gives a sense of what running has become, of what this marathon has become which for Americans is the possible challenge, the alibi for then sitting down at a fast food table without feeling guilty. And so now many, almost everyone, are running. Beautiful, ugly, thin, fat, young and old, mothers and grandmothers… New York is the “promised land” of a people who do not want to have regrets, with the crowds on the streets, the cowbells, the writings, the smiles and the tears. With his bibs which, despite costing up to 500 dollars, must be limited to give everyone the chance to sew one on at least once in their life.
It’s the America we know, which always gives you a chance. And the New York Marathon is the perfect showcase, the ideal scene for any type of undertaking. To remember, to celebrate, to denounce, to support a battle. Anyone who wants to let the world know something comes running to New York. Which is a city that seems like a film you’ve already seen, one that always gives you the feeling of having been there, of being at home. A city worth the trip. Always. But when there’s a marathon maybe more. Because every marathon is fantastic and there are fantastic ones in every corner of the world.
But then there is New York which ran and applauded todayhas gathered with placards and cowbells behind the barriers from the first to the last kilometer and is now preparing to vote, preparing to choose between Kamala Harris And Donald Trump, between promises and fears, between the desire to reinvigorate the American dream and the reality that, between immigration, Fentanyl and a cost of living that has risen like never before, this dream has clouded it a little. We go to the polls on Tuesday, it will also be a marathon. Another marathon…