We felt a little nervous about walking the short block to see New York City marathoners round Marcus Garvey Park, as they entered the last leg to the finish line. The Boston Marathon bombing was still fresh in our minds; we wondered at the possible danger we might be putting ourselves in if we joined the crowd of people cheering the runners on. But we went anyway to bear witness to valiant souls who had undertaken the challenge of running a 26.2 mile race that spanned all five boroughs.

Our fear was quickly replaced by inspiration, wonder and sheer awe at the determination we saw. Forty-eight thousand people from all walks of life, from all over the world —some in wheelchairs or wearing prosthetic legs — participated in the race. Their defiance of any fear they might have had was the perfect antidote to our own. Two million New Yorkers came out to show their support to runners they knew and to complete strangers. The marathon fell on the one-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy which changed many people’s lives. A year ago, we were wandering this same park looking at huge old trees felled by the storm.

As the marathoners ran along the park, they saw inspirational signs made by school children, as a well as a huge electronic billboard tweeting messages that empowered runners and spectators alike and answered the question “Why do we run?”

nyc marathon sign 5
Sally Schneider

nyc marathon sign 3
Sally Schneider

Sally Schneider
Sally Schneider

Sally Schneider
Sally Schneider

Sally Schneider
Sally Schneider

Sally Schneider
Sally Schneider

Sally Schneider
Sally Schneider

…The view from the top of Mount Morris was a sea of valiant souls running toward the finish line.

Sally Schneider
Sally Schneider

 

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