"It Will Feel So Exhilarating"
For the first time, this year’s TCS New York City Marathon field will include six members of NYRR Striders, a program that offers fitness activities and wellness resources for older adults. Four of these Striders are running the race for the first time, while two others have run in previous years.
“They are a true testament to the Striders program, demonstrating that there is no age limit to become or stay physically active,” said Celinda Casanova, Head of Community Programs for NYRR.
All of these Striders are a part of #Team50, a group of runners with inspiring stories who will be crossing the TCS New York City Marathon finish line this year.
Leroy Cummins – Albany Neighborhood Senior Center, Brooklyn
Leroy Cummins, 70, has been a runner since high school. A resident of East Flatbush, he joined Striders three years ago at the Albany Neighborhood Senior Center.
The pandemic, along with his recent retirement, has given Leroy (pictured above, left) time to train for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon, an event that's long been on his bucket list. He’s been running five days a week for a total of around 50 miles.
His longest training run was the TCS New York City Marathon 18M Training Run in Central Park, which gave him valuable insight into what adjustments he needs to make on race day.
“The last mile I basically cramped up. I know I need to get strength in my muscles and calves, and to not to go out like I’m running a 10K or a 10-mile run,” he said.
Leroy has also been tuning up by running NYRR races at a range of distances—the Harlem 5K in August, New Balance 5th Avenue Mile and New Balance Bronx 10 Mile in September—and his performances have placed him second or third in his 70-74 age group.
He said the marathon is something he’s been wanting to compete in, especially now that he’s retired and doesn’t want to just sit on the couch. Thanks to his fitness regimen he’s been able to stop taking medication for diabetes. “I’m trying to keep myself healthy and strong and to maintain an active lifestyle,” he said.
Griffith Gray – Rochdale Village Senior Center, Queens
Griffith Gray, 75, has been a Strider for about three years, taking part in walks and fitness activities at the Rochdale Village Senior Center in Queens, near his home in Jamaica.
Griffith (pictured above, right) ran a marathon in Texas several years ago, a one-mile-out-one-mile-back course that participants repeated 13 times! Many years before that, when he was in the military, he and his company commander did an informal “marathon” of about 26 miles, running laps around their base.
He considers the TCS New York City Marathon “the crème de la crème” and said he has been visualizing himself crossing the famed Central Park finish line. “It will feel so exhilarating,” he said. “What you have accomplished in that moment is more than just physical.”
Griffith has been fit and active all his life. As he prepares for the marathon, he’s running about 25-30 miles a week including long runs of 10-12 miles.
“Training hasn’t been an issue for me,” he said. “I’m active and moving thanks to Striders and my lifelong devotion to physical activity. When reality gets in the way, you deal with it and get right back on track.”
Griffith is grateful to NYRR “and all those who work behind the scenes to make the marathon happen” and he gives a special shout-out to his coach, Maria Romano.
“I plan to keep moving for the rest of my life,” he said. “it’s just an extension of who I am.”
Wenton Fyne, Albany Neighborhood Senior Center, Brooklyn
Wenton Fyne, 65, began running when he was 40 and has been a Strider for three years. He ran the Brooklyn Half in 2015, 2018, and 2019, and this past August he ran the Harlem 5K. Wenton ran a marathon in Philadelphia about two years ago, motivated by participating in Striders and seeing people his age and older get involved in running.
Born in Jamaica, Wenton lives on Long Island and journeys to Brooklyn every day for church and Striders’ workouts. When asked what inspired him to run the marathon, he said he’s running it to maintain good health.
“I’m a determined person who works hard to achieve a goal,” said Wenton. “Running gives me a way to do my best thinking and helps me emotionally.”
Wenton has been running about 35-40 miles a week, including 12-mile long runs that he hopes to extend to 16 miles.
“Training has been going good. Got some aches and pains but life comes with aches and pains. Nothing is going to be easy,” he said. “But if I do cross that finish line I would be elated.”
Susan Schwartz, Engineers’ Gate, Central Park, Manhattan
Susan Schwartz joined the Striders program six years ago. She had no background in running, but in 2019 she completed the 9+1 program to qualify for guaranteed entry to the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon. Susan has run two virtual marathons; the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon will be her first 26.2 in-person race.
Susan, who’s also been running and walking with Achilles International, has logged more than 20 miles a week in training and hopes to get in an 18-mile training run.
She said that she’s looking forward to running the five boroughs with people cheering and calling out her name along the course.
“Participating in something as great as the 50th [TCS New York City] marathon, it’s the greatest challenge I'm taking on,” she said.
A nurse for many years, she said she feels less stressed and more upbeat when she’s running. “Makes your heart stronger, improves circulation and endurance—all while you’re having a good time," she said.
In the middle of her training, she suffered a serious illness and wasn’t sure if she would be able to run the marathon, but after consulting with her doctor she got the green light to keep training.
“It takes courage to run a marathon, especially when you’re older,” she said. “They want to say 'You’re running a marathon?' and you just have to say 'Sure, why not?'”
Sylvia Hyman and Ruth Miller
Sylvia Hyman and Ruth Miller, both avid runners, are returning to run the TCS New York City Marathon this year. Sylvia, 63, has completed the race eight times previously, starting back in 2009. Ruth has crossed at least nine previous New York City Marathon finish lines, going back to 1989. They are both thrilled to be part of the 50th running this year!
