Watch CBS News

Marathon Race Director Also Running In Race

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - At 5:15 in the morning, Mary Wittenberg is already on the run in Central Park.

Podcast

WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports

"I get so much satisfaction out of running on a regular basis five days a week or so, sometimes six," Wittenberg tells WCBS 880 reporter Marla Diamond.

The 48-year-old mom of two young sons won the Marine Corps marathon in 1987. With her time of 2 hours, 44 minutes, she qualified for the Olympic trials, but injury forced her out of the race.

Despite bad knees, Wittenberg dreams of running the marathon she shaped into the Super Bowl of the sport.

She left her job as a corporate attorney to become President and CEO of the New York Road Runners and Race Director of the New York City Marathon.

Wittenberg says, "Going through the streets of New York, I just think it is just one of the coolest things a runner could ever do."

The New York City Marathon is Sunday, November 7, 2010.

RELATED: CBS New York Guide to the 2010 New York City Marathon

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.