by Larry EderIt is four in the morning in New York City, and I am catching a cold. So, the yogurt, green machine Boosted smoothie, decaf coffee and garlic are called into action. Saturday should be a tremendous day of athletics in the Big Apple.
In the morning, at 8 am precisely, the NY Road Runners 10k Mini will go off. Dedicated to the memory of Grete Waitz, seven thousand plus women will be starting the race, in honor of the late Grete Waitz, the women that former RW Publisher George Hirsch (and current NYRR Chairman) noted, ” legitimized marathoning for women.”
Joan Benoit Samuelson, Grete Waitz, 2005 ING NYCM marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net
In a touching memorial service for Grete Waitz, attended by one of her brothers and her husband, Jack, many paid their respects to the women who, put the marathon on the map in 1978 when when, having not ever run longer than 20k, Grete Waitz ran the marathon and set a new world record. That day, she also took off her shoes, threw them on the ground and told her husband Jack that she would never run a marathon again. Thankfully, she did not keep that promise. From Mary Wittenberg, to George Hirsch, to Barbara Paddock, to Allan Steinfeld, to Anne Audain to Spencer Nel, the speakers gave us a part of Grete Waitz that many of us never would have known.
Spencer Nel, representing adidas, spoke of Grete’s relationship with the adidas brand, dating back to 1977, and her legacy. Elite athletes in both the MIni this morning and the adidas Grand Prix NYC will be wearing special kit from the adidas line, co developed by Grete Waitz, to promote the need for Cancer research. All profits from this line will be donated to the foundation that Grete developed.
It is fitting to memorialize Grete with a 10k on the roads and a day of track & field. Grete Waitz, from the age of 14, lived in both worlds. Her World Cross Country golds were preceded and followed by European medals, World Champs gold (marathon). In fact, in 1978, with her mile of 4:26, her World Cross Country gold that year, and her first ING NYCM victory, Grete was a true renaissance runner. With Jack Waitz at her side nearly her entire career, Grete Waitz ran and competed with dignity and honor. In her six years battling cancer, she spent time with her loves; children, her sport, and Jack. It is fitting that Jack Waitz will be the first man to officially run the NYRR Women’s Mini-Marathon this morning.
Grete Waitz, in my eyes, would be very pleased….
So, on your run, or walk this morning, consider the life of Grete Waitz, and how she affected women’s running, in particular, and our sport in general.
Then, watch the adidas GP NYC on Television, and enjoy a great day of sports!
