Well, the folks at the NY Road Runners did it. They canceled the 2020 TCS NYCM today, and announced date of November 7, 2021 as next date. This was to be the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon.
In 1976, this colorful garment district salesman with a Romanian accent (actually Transylvanian), convinced the five boroughs of the Big Apple, that it would be amazingly patriotic if the New York City Marathon, an event run since 1970 in Central Park (five loops), would be run through the city streets of the five boroughs of New York. His name was Fred Lebow, and he was a runner who thought everyone should run. He was a talker. And he was a fine salesman, of course, he honed his skills in his vocation, a guy who could knock off clothing design of an expensive nature and bring pricing an manufacturing to a level that could be purchased by women in the work force. This skill helped Fred bring in sponsors for the New York Road Runners, his new avocation.
NYCM, photo by Time.com
I met a sponsor of the marathon in 1986 who told me that he had turned down Fred Lebow when Fred asked for $5000 in 1975 for the 1976 event. He said Fred Lebow was amazingly persistent. He later sponsored the marathon. Fred was a character, and I thought the guy was amazing. Allan Steinfeld, his NY Road Runners event manager had the toughest job of all, he had to take Lebow’s wacko ideas and see which ones worked. NYCM worked. Mary Wittenberg succeeded Allan in 2005, and now, Michael Capiraso manages the world’s largest marathon and running club.
From 1981 to 1994, Fred and Allan managed the amazing living thing that was NYCM. Upon Lebow’s death, in 1994, Allan took over and continued to harness the legacy of Fred, moving the NYCM into a well managed global event, and building the club into a living, moving running culture that has a global presence and stature.
The thing is Fred Lebow ONLY had permission for a Five Borough race in 1976. It was not to happen again! But, somehow, the one and only Fred Lebow charmed the Big Apple, and the rest is history.
The NYRR did the right thing. They cancelled the event in 2020. We are in the pandemic, and it is not over. While Fred Lebow and Allan Steinfeld might not be happy that year 50 is moved back a year, he would get it. If you love New Yorkers, and on NYCM day, all the world is New Yorkers, you would have to cancel.
Fred Lebow and Allan Steinfeld would get it.
The runners’ safety always come first.
2020 TCS New York City Marathon, Scheduled for November 1, Is Canceled Due to Coronavirus-Related Health and Safety Concerns
Registered runners will be contacted by July 15 regarding cancellation resolution details, including the options to claim a refund or defer their entry to a future year
New York, June 24, 2020 – The 2020 TCS New York City Marathon, set to take place on November 1, has been canceled. New York Road Runners (NYRR), the event organizer, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of the City of New York, have made the decision to cancel the world’s largest marathon due to coronavirus-related health and safety concerns for runners, spectators, volunteers, staff, and the many partners and communities that support the event.
“While the marathon is an iconic and beloved event in our city, I applaud New York Road Runners for putting the health and safety of both spectators and runners first,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We look forward to hosting the 50th running of the marathon in November of 2021.”
“Canceling this year’s TCS New York City Marathon is incredibly disappointing for everyone involved, but it was clearly the course we needed to follow from a health and safety perspective,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “Marathon Day and the many related events and activities during race week are part of the heart and soul of New York City and the global running community, and we look forward to coming together next year.”
NYRR will be connecting directly with runners registered for the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon by July 15 with more information regarding the cancellation resolution details, including the option to receive a full refund of their entry fee or a guaranteed complimentary entry in either 2021, 2022, or 2023. Runners who gained entry through a charity or tour operator should reach out beginning July 1 to that organization for the options available to them.
This year’s marathon was set to be the 50th running of the event, which began in 1970 and has grown to become the world’s largest marathon with 53,640 finishers in 2019.
Runners registered for the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon and others from around the world will be invited to participate in the third annual TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 26.2M taking place from October 17 through November 1. Further details on the virtual marathon will be shared in July.
In addition to the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon, the 2020 Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K on October 31 has also been canceled. NYRR had previously canceled all in-person events and programs through August 15. In the days and weeks ahead, NYRR will continue to work closely with government officials regarding the status of other in-person events and programs in 2020, with the likelihood of additional cancellations to be announced this summer.
The 50th running of the TCS New York City Marathon will take place on November 7, 2021.
For the latest information on NYRR events, programs, and initiatives, please visit www.nyrr.org.
