See the ING New York City Marathon website

Katherine Switzer, Pioneer Marathoner, is a Visible Leader in 2003
Participation is the best guarantor of democracy-when many take part in society on fair terms, the risk of a minority setting an agenda is minimized. In a marathon, everyone starts from the same line and strives to finish 26.2 miles later on a course of turns, hills, and straight-aways-everyone in the field faces the same set of challenges. This is the wonder of running: we plan, prepare, and engage in a contest that brings our best traits to the surface and allows us to share feelings of elation and suffering. An audience of family, friends and fans can see signs of stress in a marathoner and cheer or coax athletes to go the distance. Urban marathons, in cities like Chicago, London, Berlin, Honolulu, Athens, invite mass participation and provide cultural entertainment that enriches a runner's experience; for one big event, running transforms itself into a mainstream sport that attracts attention from Mayor Bloomberg, the New York Stock Exchange, the New York Times, and the David Letterman show. Roving reporters in American media's home base find room to learn and grow, like a minnow swimming in a glen lake.

New York City took the hardest blow on September 11, 2001 from a terrorist attack on the United States. The 34th Annual ING New York City Marathon on November 2, 2003 revealed a Big Apple with a vibrant and courageous heart, as this gem of a city boldly moves forward with the business of life. The biggest theatrical production of the day, with an audience of millions standing on roadsides throughout the five city boroughs and 1.3 million viewing coverage on Telemundo and NBC affiliate WNBC, the story of the race exceeds the ability of one observer to tell completely. But the essence of this tale is the surprising debut of Martin Lel and an encore by Margaret Okayo to lead more than 34,000 people to a Central Park finish. Warm, sunny autumnal weather made the three-hour wait at the Staten Island starting area comfortable for mid-pack marathoners. American athletes were represented by top finishers Matt Downin (2:18:48), who made a successful premiere at the distance, and perennial top performer Sylvia Mosqueda (2:33:10, a personal best)-best known in Washington for two consecutive third place finishes in the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. In the pushrim Wheelchair competition, Krige Schabort of South Africa defended his title in 1:32:20 and Cheri Blauwet of Menlo Park, CA defended her title in 1:59:30; both athletes also set course records at New York City.

Women have only recently been allowed to engage in the grueling marathon; the 1967 Boston whistle-blower, Katherine Switzer, reported from the front lines this year and also received a top honor, the Abebe Bikila Award, for her outstanding contribution to the sport of distance running. The scandalous exclusion of women from the Boston Marathon is a hurdle that Switzer cleared, a hooded Robin with her band of merry men clearing away tacklers, and she went on to join the top ranks of sports commentators to provide insight and win new fans for long distance running. She has set a pace in the sport that encourages female participation. Her first-hand knowledge of competitive racing and personal charm with athletes of all nationalities results in sparkling commentary during a marathon broadcast; during a background interview, Switzer set Okayo at ease with a question about her boyfriend in Kenya after obtaining details on a recent interval workout. Tennis has a King, but running has a queen-a graceful mentor to young girls and rookie reporters everywhere.

The stature of the ING New York City Marathon attracts clusters of big names in the running business (athletes and agents, event directors, sponsors, media) who network behind the scenes. The elite men's and women's fields in 2003 were top notch; newlywed marathoner Deena Drossin Kastor mingled and served as a rabbit for some of the American women; defending champions Rodgers Rop and Jocyce Chepchumba finished second and sixth this year; Cherry Blossom 10 Mile winner Olga Romanova ran as an official pacer. Fila-sponsored athletes continued success from earlier in the season--the winners and course record setters at the Labor Day weekend Rock 'n' Rock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach were Martin Lel, 61:27, and Margaret Okayo, 69:17. Two months later in New York, Lel won in 2:10:30 with a 41 second margin over Rop, and Okayo shattered her own course record to win by 31 seconds in 2:22:31, ahead of recently crowned World Champion Catherine Ndereba.

The men's marathon resembled a long stage of a bicycle race - the men ran as a large pack with two dozen runners crossing the Queensborough Bridge and turning onto First Avenue together. Lel noted afterwards that a bold breakaway move rarely succeeds from a large group of equally talented athletes; he waited patiently for men to fall by the wayside. New York City Marathon tour guide Rop and Lel maintained pace while others faltered; the final two miles became a showdown between these two Kenyans. Twenty-five-year-old store-keeper Lel expressed fear of Rop's speed and strength, so he made his winning move in full throttle- the worry of a champion shadowing him rocketed Lel to a very happy victory.

"It is a big surprise, whoever wins the marathon. An athlete should begin the race with respect for fellow competitors and confidence in one's own ability." Susan Chepkemei presented the ideal summary for elite runners before the start of the star- studded event; at least six women had a legitimate shot at victory, having run personal bests under 2:26. The first mile split was exceptionally slow, but from there on the lead pack ran under course record pace the whole way. Six women reached First Avenue (mile 16) in position to win, but then the toughest challenge of the 26.2 miles started in earnest; a diamond of four applied the pressure-Okayo, Ndereba, 2000 Champion Ludmila Petrova, and June's Mini 10K winner Lornah Kiplagat. But on this particular Sunday, Okayo showed the will to suffer a brutal pace- she started running 5:10 splits (sub-2:17 pace) and dropped everyone. "A courageous move" so far from the finish line, remarked the media room announcer-and Okayo proved to be a genuine rather than a fool's choice to win.

A word of thanks: A marathon staff assisted by thousands of volunteers and members of the New York Road Runners Club is personified by the warmth of Muriel Frohman, a long-time contributor and keeper of the Rudin trophy - thank you to all for the hospitality.