Runners Assemble! A Look at Some of Our Favorite Superheroes
While comic-book and big-screen characters can fly, travel through space, and wield cosmic powers, the running world has its own form of superheroes: Our athletes.
Case in point: Professional runners can run at frightening speeds. In training, they push their bodies to the limit to become real-life heroes in their chosen distance, all while handling family duties, athlete commitments, and more.
They are infused with qualities normally associated with the greatest comic-book superheroes: They possess an iron will, they are fearless, and, importantly, they are humble. With the global launch of a popular superhero movie today, members of NYRR’s digital content team got together and selected some of their superheroes. Running heroes assemble!
Shalane Flanagan
I was familiar with Shalane Flanagan’s incredible achievements well before the memorable events of November 5, 2017. But when crossed the finish line as winner of the TCS New York City Marathon, she become something more than a professional runner.
That day holds a special place in my heart (which I’ve documented here) and Shalane’s dramatic and epic victory was a huge part of it. With a fearless attitude, she reaped the benefits of never giving up and displayed the power of believing in yourself—traits accustomed to most comic book superheroes.
—Gary McLaughlin
Michael Johnson
The first time I remember watching track and field as a kid was seeing him compete at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, winning the 400 meters—and he did it in the gold spikes! Those were so cool! (It helps that he ran an Olympic-record time in them, too). Ten years later, I got to see those spikes on display at the Armory in New York City, and then another 10 years after that, I found a gold jersey online and started running NYRR races in it, sort of as a tribute. (It also just looks cool, y’know?)
—Ted Doyle
Stephanie Bruce
She can run anything! She was 11th at the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon, then ran some indoor track races, and then was the top U.S. runner at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships—all in a span of about four months. On top of that, she co-founded an energy bar company, she coaches, and she’s raising two kids. Is it possible for a superhero to have too many powers?
—TD
Meb Keflezighi
Loved and admired by all, Meb Keflezighi transcends the sport. Speed. Power. Tenacity. Brave. An iron will. And humble. When you think of the qualities that powered your favorite superheroes throughout time, Meb possesses them all—and then some. His remarkable marathon career—including wins in both New York City and Boston—captured the attention of so many amateur runners and inspired them to run 26.2 miles.
In 2014, when I laced up to start my first marathon journey, I became aware of a legend called Meb and digested every article as I sought inspiration at every turn to keep me motivated. Through the years, his status only grew as he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest—and most humble—marathoners of all time.
—GMcL
Mary Keitany
With seven wins at Abbott World Marathon Majors races, four of which were at the TCS New York City Marathon, Mary Keitany is a tour de force. A mother of two, she epitomizes the motto “Women Run the World.” Her career history is a stunning read.
In NYC alone, she became the first open-division runner since Grete Waitz to win the New York City Marathon three years in a row. And, after tasting defeat to Shalane in 2017 (see above) she bounced back the next year in true superhero style, winning her fourth TCS New York City Marathon, recording the second-fastest time in event history with a 2:22:48.
—GMcL
Sanya Richards-Ross
Sanya Richards-Ross is a legend in the world of the 400-meter dash. Back when I was running the 400m in high school, she was at the peak of her career. To me, she was the perfect runner. Her strength and dedication to the sport were inspiring. Even though I knew I would never compete at her level, I was proud to run the same event that she did.
—Katie Manzi
Anjali Forber-Pratt
Anjali Forber-Pratt has lived a storied life. She found wheelchair racing at a young age, and by the time her illustrious career came to an end, she accumulated 12 Paralympic medals, and once held the world record for the 200-meter dash in her classification.
Not just a phenomenal athlete, she also has a PhD, is an international disability advocate, and is an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University. Her strength and fearlessness have made her a real-life superhero.
—KM
Adam Bleakney
What I like about Adam Bleakney is that he had his own career—he won the Chicago Marathon in 2002, and he took silver in the 800 meters at the Athens Olympics—but now, he’s working to train some of the best racers in the world as a coach at the University of Illinois.
On his team, he’s had Amanda McGrory (two-time New York City Marathon champion), Tatyana McFadden (five-time New York City Marathon champion; won Boston, London, Chicago, and New York in 2013 and 2014), and more recently, Daniel Romanchuk, who’s the reigning TCS New York City Marathon and United Airlines NYC Half champion. He’s using what he learned as an athlete to make the next generation even better.
—TD