2010 ING New York City Marathon

Chilean miner Edison Pena (white and red tank top) who was trapped underground for more than two months in Chile crossed the finish line today. An avid runner, he jogged several miles everyday through the tunnels during the two month period he was trapped underground.

Water station on First Avenue

Marathon spectators at the foot of Queensborough Bridge on First Avenue

Marathon spectators in Central Park near the finish line

Inspiration video from the ING NYC Marathon website

Time lapse video from the MTA

Today is the ING New York City Marathon, the biggest event organized by the New York Road Runners, drawing more than 100,000 applicants annually, including many world-class professional athletes. The course of this annual 26.2 mile-marathon runs through all the five boroughs of Manhattan. The course begins on Staten Island, and winds through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, returning to Manhattan. The finish line is in Central Park. These images were taken near the finish line and on First Avenue. 

New York Road Runners is dedicated to promoting the sport of distance running, enhancing health and fitness, and responding to community needs. The first marathon was held in 1970.

ING New York City Marathon 2008

While cheering on the runners in today's ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON, I made some photos of the event on First Avenue as well as in Central Park. This marathon is one of the world's great road races, drawing more than 100,000 applicants. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes, not only for the more than $600,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to excel in the media capital of the world before two million cheering spectators and 315 million worldwide television viewers. For this year's runners and more than 700,000 past participants, crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime. Congratulations to my godson CARLO and his brother FRANCO!