***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Press conference to celebrate 50th anniversary of the 5-boro marathon and feature
NYRR leadership, City and State agency representatives, marathon partners,
and Honorary Grand Marshals
RSVP REQUIRED
WHAT:
Ahead of the TCS New York City Marathon, taking place Sunday, Nov. 1, New York Road Runners (NYRR)—the nonprofit that “runs” New York City—will host its annual ceremonial painting of the blue line that follows the 26.2-mile course through all five boroughs. The event recognizes New York Road Runners’ year-round collaboration with City and State agencies, featuring speakers from agency and marathon partners, a photo opportunity of the blue line painting, and 1:1 interviews.
This year’s program will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro course, which was first run in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial and uplift the city. Since then, the race has become one of the most inclusive and accessible sporting events in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators.
WHERE/WHEN:
Wednesday, October 28
TCS New York City Marathon Finish Line
Central Park, West Drive at West 67th Street
- 8:30 – 9 a.m. – Media arrival
- 9 – 9:30 a.m. – Press conference
- 9:35 – 10 a.m. – Ceremonial Blue Line Painting photo and interview opportunities
WHO:
New York Road Runners leadership, representatives from agency, brand partners, and Honorary Grand Marshals, will be available for interviews on site, including:
- Rob Simmelkjaer – New York Road Runners CEO
- Ted Metellus – New York Road Runners Chief Event Production Officer & TCS New York City Marathon Race Director
- Nnenna Lynch – New York Road Runners Board Chair
- Ron Kim – Assemblymember, District 40
- Brad Hoylman-Sigal – Manhattan Borough President
- Kim Council – Deputy Brooklyn Borough President
- Phillip Ballman – Director of Cultural Affairs & Tourism for Queens Borough President Donovan Richards
- Jessica Tisch – Commissioner, NYPD
- Lillian Bonsignore – Commissioner, FDNY
- Mike Flynn – Commissioner, NYC DOT
- Nisha Agarwal – Commissioner, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
- Dawn Tolson – Executive Director, Mayor’s Office for Citywide Event Coordination and Management
- Cathy Sheridan – President, Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority
- Gregory Anderson – Commissioner, DSNY
- Kevin Moran – Deputy Chancellor for Operations, NYC Public Schools
- Martin Fatooh – Manhattan Borough Commissioner, NYC EDP
- Natalie Koepff –Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, New York City Tourism + Conventions
- Betsy Smith – President & CEO, Central Park Conservancy
- George Hirsch – 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Honorary Grand Marshal
- Estee Stimler – 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Honorary Grand Marshal
- Keisha Sutton-James – 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Honorary Grand Marshal
- Bill Rudin – Co-Executive Chairman, Rudin Management Company
- Eric Rudin – Co-Executive Chairman, Rudin Management Company
- Samantha Rudin Earls – Co-Chief Executive Officer, Rudin Management Company