Comments from Allan Steinfeld, President and CEO of New York Road Runner and Race Director of the ING New York City Marathon, at Monday’s press conference at Tavern on the Green:
Hendrik Ramaala 2004
* “This was best race in my 26 years with New York Road Runners. It was largest marathon ever and the most compelling women’s race we’ve ever had – a finish evoking images of the classic Alberto, Gomez duel.
* We enjoyed phenomenal spectator crowds and amazing cooperation from city, state and federal agencies. A special thanks to our 12,000 volunteers who worked tirelessly for the past several weeks and to ING key corporate supporters for their tremendous support.”
OVERVIEW
* Largest marathon in the world ever – surpassing the 100th Boston Marathon (35,868 finishers) in 1996
* 37,257 starters
* 36,513 finishers
* 98% finishing rate
* 11,590 women, 24,563 men
* Participants from more than 100 countries and all 50 states
* Greatest spectator turnout – estimated at 2.5 million
* 243 million people watched worldwide – including live on BBC
* Total prize purse payout – $820,000 (includes published time bonus and prize money) – $50,000 more than last year
* Official weather for top finishers – 65 degrees, 51% humidity, winds west at 9 mph and brilliant sunshine
PROFESSIONAL RACE
* Closet margin of victory ever in women’s race: 4 seconds
* Paula Radcliffe and Susan Chepkemei ran the two fastest times run on U.S. soil this year and #3 and #4 world-wide.
* With her win, Radcliffe joins only four other runners who have won at least 3 of the Grand Slams (New York City, Chicago, London and Boston) – Ingrid Kristiansen all 4 and Rosa Mota, Joyce Chepchumba and Margaret Okayo with 3.
* Personal best among the elite women’s field included third place finisher Lyubov Denisova
* Meb Keflezighi’s second place is the highest finishing place by an American since 1993 (Bob Kempainen).
* First time since 1993 two American men – Team Running USA’s Keflezighi and Ryan Shay – were in the top 10 (Kempainen and Keith Brantly).
* Personal bests among elite men included Keflezighi, World Half-Marathon Champion Paul Kirui and Shay.
* Wheelchairs – 1st male Saul Mendoza 1:33:16 – closest margin of victory – 3 seconds ahead of course record holder Kriger Schabort
* 1st place finisher Edith Hjunkeler of Switzerland, 1:53:27 – course record by 6 minutes; top three women under previous course record
FOOTNOTES/CELEBRITY FINISHERS
*The winner of highly coveted Continental Mayor’s Club was FDNY – changing recent course of NYPD wins last two years with FDNY reestablishing their long dominance.
* Kenyan-native and Dutch citizen Lornah Kiplagat captured seventh place in the 2004 ING New York City Marathon with a time of 2:28:21 winning the ING Run for Something Better race within a race, raising money for East River Park in Manhattan and the High Altitude Training Center, a training club for young girls that she founded in her native Kenya
* Fastest New Yorkers were former Stanford runner and Foot Locker winner, Julia Stamps, 2:52:58 and Andrew Belavin, 2:25:00
* Oldest Female finisher: Bertha McGruder, Age 76, (Manhattan), 6:43:17
* Oldest Male finisher: Peter Harangozo, Age 83, (Manhattan), 6:47:34
* Albert Laporte, Bronx Representative, Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge, 3:18:09 (unofficial)
* Jennifer Woods, Avis “We Try Harder” award recipient, 6:22:34 (unofficial time)
* Jose Ramos, Avis “We Try Harder” award recipient, 6:23:33 (unofficial time)
* Kristin Armstrong, 3:45:53 (unofficial time)
* Joe Sumner, (Sting’s son), 4:39:09 (unofficial time)
* Don Nickles, U.S. Senator, Oklahoma (R), 4:30:00 (unofficial time)
* Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota (R), 3:59:04 (unofficial time)
* Sara Whalen (Hess), 2000 Olympic silver medalist, U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, 4:19:38 (unofficial time)
* Yannick Noah, Former Grand Slam tennis champion, 3:36:33 (unofficial time)
* John Legere, CEO, Global Crossing, 3:15:02 (unofficial time)
* Robert Cramer, Vice President, Global Partnership, Mastercard, 4:51:28 (unofficial time)
* Mike Havard, Vice President of Marketing, Newman’s Own, 4:19:03 (unofficial time)
* Alison Cox, Olympic rower (2004 Olympic Games), 4:14:53 (unofficial Time)
* Paul Teti, Olympic rower (2000/’04 Olympic rower), 3:07:18 (unofficial time)