Press Release: New York City Marathon: 9/13/20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

           New York City Marathon's First Champion Commemorates
        the 50th Anniversary with a Ceremonial Run in Central Park

              80-Year-Old Gary Muhrcke runs with his Grandson 
                        on National Grandparents Day

WHAT: 

The first-ever New York City Marathon took place on September 13, 1970, 
featuring 127 runners participating in a four-lap course around Central 
Park. Among the 127 runners, only 55 finished the historic race.

Gary Muhrcke, former New York City fireman and Long Island (Huntington) 
resident, was the first champion of the inaugural race with a finish time 
of 2:31:39.

To recognize this special moment, Muhrcke, now 80 years old, ran one lap of 
the original course today in Central Park. Muhrcke ran with his grandson, 
Colin Kern, and had a finish time of 58:21.

BROLL/SOUNDBITES:    

- Gary Muhrcke crossing the finish line and soundbites – September 13, 2020
- Archived footage of the TCS New York City Marathon
- Gary Muhrcke on a training run
- Footage from the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon

CREDIT: New York Road Runners

BACKGROUND:

The TCS New York Marathon has grown to become one of the most anticipated 
and iconic annual sporting events in New York City, drawing fans and 
runners of all ages and abilities and is the largest marathon in the world, 
annually featuring more than 50,000 runners, 1 million spectators, and 
10,000 volunteers.

Though the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon which was scheduled for November 
1 has been canceled due to health and safety concerns related to the 
coronavirus pandemic, thousands will run the 2020 Virtual TCS New York City 
Marathon from locations around the world between October 17 – November 1.  
The 50th running of the TCS New York City Marathon will take place on 
November 7, 2021.

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