FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Distance Running Stars Chris Derrick and Alexi Pappas
to Take Part in Lead Vehicle Program at 2015 TCS New York City Marathon
on Sunday, November 1
United States Olympic hopefuls to experience race-week and race-day
festivities
New York, Wednesday, October 7, 2015—American distance running stars Chris
Derrick and Alexi Pappas will participate in the lead vehicle program at
the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, it was announced
today by Peter Ciaccia, president of events for New York Road Runners and
race director of the TCS New York City Marathon.
"We are very excited to have Chris and Alexi be a part of this year's lead
vehicle program at the TCS New York City Marathon," said Ciaccia. "New York
Road Runners is committed to the development of the sport of professional
distance running throughout the year, and we hope to inspire runners like
Chris and Alexi as they continue to pursue their dreams, especially heading
into the 2016 Olympic year. We look forward to having them experience the
spectacular journey that is our marathon as they lead the 50,000 runners
through the 26.2 miles of the five boroughs and ‘Get their New York On!'"
Started in 2005, the lead vehicle program for professional athletes at the
TCS New York City Marathon gives world-class runners the chance to
experience the energy and excitement of the race as a rider in the lead
vehicles. Athletes in the program also take part in race-week activities
and participate in the TCS New York City Marathon professional athlete
experience.
Past athletes who have participated in the program and later run the New
York City Marathon include 2008 New York City Marathon third-place finisher
Kara Goucher, 2010 New York City Marathon runner-up Shalane Flanagan, U.S.
Olympic marathoners Dathan Ritzenhein and Ryan Hall, and 2010 New York City
Marathon fourth-place finisher Kim Smith of New Zealand. 2012 Olympic
10,000-meter silver medalist Sally Kipyego of Kenya, making her marathon
debut at this year's TCS New York City Marathon, has also participated in
the program.
Derrick, 24, of Portland, OR, is the reigning three-time USA Cross Country
champion. At Stanford University, he earned 14 NCAA Division I All American
honors. He is the former American junior record-holder in the 5000 meters
and holds the American collegiate 10,000-meter record of 27:31.38. In the
10,000 meters, he finished fourth at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials and third
at the 2013 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
"I think it will be a good experience for when I eventually move up to the
marathon," said Derrick. "Also, I have a personal policy that whenever
anyone offers a front row seat to one of the best sporting events in the
world, I have to accept.?"
Pappas, 25, of Eugene, OR, was a five-time NCAA Division I All American,
competing for the University of Oregon and Dartmouth College. Since
graduating in 2013, she has finished in the top five at USA Championships
four times: the 2015 USA 10-Mile Championships (third), the 2015 USA 15K
Championships (fifth), the 2014 USA 15K Championships (fourth), and the
2013 USA 5K Championships (third).
"I am beyond thrilled to be a guest in the NYRR lead vehicle program for
this year's TCS New York City Marathon!" said Pappas. "Ever since running
my first NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K, I've looked forward to being more
involved with this historic event. I have long admired marathon running
from afar, and I'm honored to have the chance to see the greatness up
close."
The 2015 TCS New York City Marathon broadcast is produced in partnership
with IMG Productions and will be televised live on Sunday, November 1, on
WABC-TV, Channel 7 in the New York tri-state area from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. ET and for the rest of the nation on ESPN2 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30
p.m. ET. A highlight show will air from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET on WABC-TV,
Channel 7 and local ABC affiliates throughout the nation. Additionally, the
race will be available live in Spanish via ESPN Deportes+ and
internationally via a variety of global broadcast partners.
Pre-race coverage will be carried live in the New York tri-state area on
WABC-TV, Channel 7 from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, November 1.
Additional race-weekend programming on WABC-TV, Channel 7 includes live
coverage of the TCS New York City Marathon Opening Ceremony Presented by
United Airlines on Friday, October 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the
Countdown to the Starting Line on Saturday, October 31, from 7:30 to 8:00
p.m. ET. Pre-race and race coverage on Sunday, November 1 is available to
stream live on WATCH ABC and ESPN3 (accessible on WatchESPN platforms).
Click here for all the broadcast details, including online and via mobile
devices.
For the latest TCS New York City Marathon news and media information and to
apply for a TCS New York City Marathon credential to cover race week and
race day, please visit the NYRR online media center. Also, follow us on
Twitter @nyrrnews. To join the social media conversation, search
#TCSNYCMarathon.
About the TCS New York City Marathon
The TCS New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road
Runners (NYRR) and the largest marathon in the world. Held annually on the
first Sunday in November, the race features the world's top professional
athletes and a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity
runners. The race began in 1970 with just 127 entrants running four laps
around Central Park, and expanded citywide in 1976. In 2014, a record
50,530 runners from 130 countries toured New York City's five boroughs,
including the one-millionth finisher in the history of the event, starting
on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and running
through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, before ending
in Manhattan at the iconic Central Park finish line. More than one million
spectators line the city streets to cheer on the runners, while millions
more watch the live television broadcast in the United States and around
the world. The race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series
featuring the world's top marathons—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago,
and New York—and crowning the top professional male and female marathoners
of the series. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT
services, consulting, and business solutions organization, is the premier
partner of NYRR and the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon. To
learn more, visit www.tcsnycmarathon.com.
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