[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 178 (Friday, November 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  MARATHON MAN'S SPIRIT WITH US STILL

                                 ______


                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 10, 1995

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, the 26th New York City marathon, directed 
by New York Road Runners Club president Allan Steinfeld, will be run on 
Sunday. The marathon and the club are the best and most important in 
the world, and both are the legacy of Fred Lebow. Fred created the 
marathon in 1970 and remained its leader and guiding spirit until his 
death from cancer last fall.
  As one who has run the New York City marathon, I can attest that the 
excitement it generates brings the entire city together. There's no 
better way to see New York City than to run through all five boroughs 
and savor the variety of their celebrations.
  Today's Daily News contains an article by Allan Steinfeld about the 
marathon, the Road Runners Club and its activities, the progress during 
the past year, and the anticipation of Sunday's marathon. But, mostly 
Allan's article is a tribute to Fred, whose name and memory will always 
be part of the marathon, and whose life the marathon will always 
celebrate.
  Mr. Speaker, the Daily News article follows. I urge my colleagues to 
read it and reflect on how one remarkable man improved the lives of 
thousands of individuals and an entire city.

                  Marathon Man's Spirit With Us Still

                          (By Allan Steinfeld)

       Fred Lebow will always be a civic treasure in this city, 
     and a treasure to me personally. He created New York's 
     greatest annual athletic event, the New York City Marathon, 
     which this Sunday--and always--will be a celebration of his 
     life.
       This past year, since Fred's death Oct. 9, 1994, after a 
     4\1/2\-year battle with brain cancer, has been both exciting 
     and difficult for me. Difficult because Fred is gone--though 
     his presence often seems with us. I think of him every day, 
     especially as we approach the 26th New York City Marathon.
       The Marathon, which I am directing this year, has two 
     different meanings for me. First, I want to continue the 
     legacy Fred began in 1970. Second--and this meant a great 
     deal to Fred--this event brings the entire city together in a 
     way no other can.
       It is a celebration and an affirmation of life. It feels 
     good to enable more than 27,000 people to have this wonderful 
     experience--one that will change the lives of many of them. 
     And it makes me happy that the Marathon brings approximately 
     $100 million into the city.


                            life and running

       My life changed when I began running in 1963. I had never 
     been good at sports. I was skinny and short, with lousy hand-
     eye coordination. I was a terrible baseball player; when we 
     were chosen for games in the schoolyard, I was always the 
     last choice. At least in football there was some hesitancy by 
     the captains since I was fast and an asset on defense--I 
     could get there quickly and jump well. But on offense I 
     couldn't catch the ball. In basketball I could play defense, 
     block shots and steal, but couldn't dribble and shoot.
       In 1963 I went to college, Hunter and then City, and had 
     the opportunity to run track. It changed my life and self-
     image. I started to see myself as capable and physical, not 
     just cerebral.
       Here was something I could excel at.
       Now, as president of the New York Road Runners Club, I'm in 
     the position to foster its continued growth--not growth for 
     its own sake, but because it improves the lives of our 
     members.
       The NYRRC went from 30,000 to 34,000 members this past 
     year, keeping us the world's No. 1 running organization. It 
     was our biggest increase in more than a decade. Fred would be 
     very pleased. He would be happy about all of our corporate 
     sponsors; he knew they were necessary to keep the Marathon 
     and road running growing.
       Celebration is the word I always associated with the 
     Marathon and Fred. New Yorkers celebrate by running and 
     watching this event. And we are building upon the foundation 
     Fred created.
       Our not-for-profit organization is involved in a great deal 
     of community activity; we plan to expand in that area. We 
     would like to get more women and families involved in our 
     health and fitness programs. We sponsor, along with Asphalt 
     Green on the East Side, the City-Sports for Kids Program, 
     which serves some 2,000 boys and girls and includes 
     basketball and track and field. We sponsor a Junior Road 
     Runner Club Series--noncompetitive races for youngsters, and 
     provide Group Safety Runs, ``safety pairing'' for runners 
     throughout the city and a Central Park Safety Patrol and Park 
     Care program.


                             friend & hero

       Fred was a legend in running, but he was also my best 
     friend. We began working together in 1976; that's a lot of 
     years.
       One of the greatest moments of my life came when, in June 
     1990, Fred and I ran a victory lap around the Central Park 
     reservoir after an MRI showed that chemotherapy had begun to 
     shrink the lymphoma in his brain. We needed to run together, 
     and Fred ran the best time he had in about a year.
       Fred turned New York's Marathon into the world's best--what 
     he always said he wanted it to be. Cancer may have taken him, 
     but he lives on in the Marathon, his cherished creation.

                          ____________________