New York Road Runners history

1970 NYRR stages the first New York City Marathon in Central Park, with 127 entrants, 55 finishers, and a $1 entry fee.

Ted Corbitt running the 1971 New York City Marathon.

1972 New York City Marathon co-founder Fred Lebow takes over as president of NYRR and helps lead the "running boom" that is sweeping the country.

1976 NYRR, inspired by Fred Lebow's vision, takes the New York City Marathon out of Central Park and into the streets of the city's five boroughs with a field of 2,090 runners.

1978 Fred Lebow hires high school science teacher Allan Steinfield to oversee the technical and operations aspects of NYRR events.

Sydnee Maree (#1) on his way to winning the inaugural Fifth Avenue Mile in 1981.

Meb Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes, CA, takes first place in the New York City Marathon and is the first American to win the race in the 27 years since Alberto Salazar won his third title in 1982.

Mary Wittenberg, an attorney and the winner of the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon, is hired as NYRR's first director of administration.

1990 Fred Lebow is diagnosed with brain cancer, to the heartbreak of the organization.

1994 On October 9, just four weeks before the 25th New York City Marathon, Lebow sadly loses his battle with cancer.

2001 NYRR, in a demonstration of the power of running to help heal a shattered city, stages the New York City Marathon less than two months after the September 11 attacks.

Since 2002, NYRR Team for Kids has raised funds and awareness for NYRR youth programs.

In 2005, Mary Wittenberg succeeded Steinfeld as president and CEO of NYRR. She also became the first female director of the New York City Marathon.

2008 World record-holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain wins her third New York City Marathon in as many tries.

2011 NYRR introduces the Official NYRR New York City Marathon Training Program, a revolutionary online plan that is personalized based on a runner's experience, age, sex, race times, and current training.

2013 NYRR continues to help the city recover from Superstorm Sandy.

2014 NYRR launches the Five-Borough Series, which showcases NYRR's commitment to the individuals and communities in each borough.

NYRR Open Run launched in 2015 to bring free run/walks to parks throughout NYC, continuing NYRR's mission to help and inspire people through running.

The 2016 TCS New York City Marathon breaks its own record for the largest marathon in the world, welcoming 51,394 runners to the finish line on November 6.

2017 United Airlines NYC Half