New York City Marathon and Staying Fit For Life

As Baba Wesley Gray traines for his 15 New York Cith Marathon in 2014, he shares with us the and exciting elements of this years auspicious race.

"The New York City Marathon returned after a one-year absence with big crowds, heightened security and a familiar champion.  Geoffrey Mutai successfully defended his title Sunday, 11/3/13, while fellow Kenyan Priscah Jeptoo came from behind to win the women's race. Brons resident Buzunesh Deba finished runner-up for the secound straight time in her hometown event.

Fans again packed the 26.2 mile course, undaunted by the events of the past year.  The 2012 NYC Marathon was canceled because of the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, but not before many New Yorkers were enraged by initial plans to hold the race.

After the bombings at April's Boston Marathon, bomb-sniffing dogs roamed the course, and barricades limited access points to Central Park. A record of 50,740 runners started the race through the five boroughs.

Mutai, pulled away around Mile 22 and beat Ethiopia's Tsegaye Kebede by 52 seconds.  On a windy morning, Mutai's time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 24 seconds was well off his course record of 2.05:06 set in nearly perfect conditions two years ago. He is the first man to repeat in New York since Kenya's John Kagwe in 1997-98.  Kebede, the london Marathon champ, clinched the $500,000 bonus for the World Marathon Majors title. Priscah Jeptoo, the 2012 Olympic silver medalist and 2013 London Marathon Champ won in 2:25:07 to clinch the $500,000 World Marathon Majors bonus."

Meghan Barr, Michael Casey and Vernea Dobnik contributed to this report.