This is the one time you don’t have to walk the talk because whether you like to run 26.2 miles or if that’s simply too far for you to drive, you can still join the sports conversation.
Run like you stole it,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - Be sure to tune into our Instagram for daily conversation starters. Today's is ghoulishly good. TRICK OR TREAT
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NYC MARATHON
1. The first New York City Marathon took place in 1970 with 55 runners. It took two years for women to be allowed to run in the race. The AAU, the then-governing body of marathons, had previously squashed the idea of women running in marathons. They went as far as publishing baseless “scientific” research stating that “women who ran more than a few miles risked infertility” to keep women from lining up at the start line. NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER
2. Runners have to qualify to participate in the race. There’s no chance for a bathroom break with these times - 3:15 (3 hours, 15 minutes) for women ages 35-39 and 2:55 for men of the same age. Runners are also admitted through a lottery. Either way you’re paying $295 (for U.S. runners) to run in the race. HOW FAST WOULD YOU HAVE TO RUN TO QUALIFY?
3. He's not running but actor Chris Pratt is a member of the supporting cast. He surprised a group of runners from Achilles International, a non-profit that assists people with disabilities who participate in mainstream running events. He handed out their runner's bibs and sat down and cracked open a beer with them. WAIT BEER AND DONUTS?
4. If running 26.2 miles didn’t seem challenging enough, how about doing it on crutches? That’s exactly what Hannah Gavios is planning to do. Gavios became paralyzed after falling off a 150-foot cliff in Thailand in an attempt to escape an attacker. Finishing the marathon will be one of the items on her long list of physical accomplishments post-injury, which include mountain climbing, ice skating and teaching yoga. COLOR US IMPRESSED
5. Last year’s winner Shalene Flanagan is back to defend her title. In 2017, Flanagan was the first American woman in four decades to win the race clocking in at 2:27:54. WHAT LIKE IT’S HARD?
Here’s the skinny - The marathon is this Sunday, November 4 at 9 am EST on ESPN2. Like all marathons, it’s 26.2 miles of pure bliss. The race boasts 50,000 runners racing for pride, a sense of accomplishment and cash prizes. POWERED BY THE PRIZE
KEEP ON TRUCKING
You now have something to talk about through the weekend, but what about firing up the banter for today? Everyone’s buzzing about the ultimate mic drop, the Halloween costume that's all the rage and duck boats in the street. READ
