ING New York City Marathon - Who Won?

26.2 !!! This figure does not ring bells in most ears. Yet, for long distance runners this number in miles is pride. Whether it is amateurs aspiring to complete their first one or professionals fighting over the last minute, marathon events are occasions when dreams become reality.

And one such event is The ING New York City Marathon. Here today, around 38 thousand people ran to meet their aspiration. In my opinion, it was good day to run - no rain, no wind and good temperature. I was lucky enough to volunteer at the Medal distribution counter. Although I and my friend, as usual late, were at the right time to perform our duties. As we got ready, we received the first of the disabled category marathoners. They were the ones who stole my heart away. I could not just stop my incessant cheering at their achievement despite whatever disability.

Around 12 to 12:30 PM, there was a loud uproar in the crowd. Our winners were arriving. Jelena Prokopcuka (2:25:05) repeated her performance at NYC marathon, winning in women's category second time in row. Marilson Gomes dos Santos, a Brazilian,won his debut NYC marathon in men's category finishing in 2:09:58. Some in the crowd were surprised (including my friend) that Tergat, last year champion, came in third. His timing was 2:10:10. Just a 12 second trail !!!!

For the next hour, we received our under 3 hour category. This is my dream category. Here people mostly belonged to the professional runner clubs around the world especially France and Italy. Some were disappointed with their timing while some others were happy. I kept my role of cheering with claps.

The crowd started to increase. We were approaching the mean of the normal curve of timing. I shifted my responsibility to direct the people to get the medal distributors. There was a surge in smiling faces. The air filled with joy, hugs and emotion. The limp and pain was lost with the sight of medal. My role shifted to distribute the medals and giving hi-five. A girl came along, took the medal and hugged me. She started crying. I couldn't understand in the noise if she said it was her first or the best. The only words I could utter were "well done...congratulations".

As the day progressed. the crowd kept finishing. A guy came over with 2 bibs. He said his friend was taken to the hospital between the race. He asked if he could have a medal for him. I couldn't deny him that. There were a lot of couples running together. One of the volunteers had a good idea. He gave them medal each and asked them to put on one another. The expression on their face cannot be described in words.

By the end of my day, the air around me was all sweaty, with the sweet smell of success. But it became hard for me to answer the question - Who won this marathon? Gomes kissing his best time medal or the couple kissing each other after they finished? In my opinion, everyone who stood behind the start line with the courage to complete this distance !!!