First Batch of Marathon Photos

These photos were taken by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering photographer and are copywrited, hence the "Olivierkpognon" written across some of these

Here we are at breakfast (at 5:30am!) writing our names on our shirts and fueling up. The race doesn't start until 10:00am for the non-elite runners, but the athletes with disabilities start at 8:00am so you have to get into Staten Island before they shut down the Verazzano.

Here we are, 700-some-odd strong!

Where am I?

(most of the people I trained with are in this spot along with me)


Interesting fun fact: our bus had a police escort to Staten Island. Pretty cool!


Here's the starting line, with the elite men's racers at the front

Here's MSKCC, getting ready for the crowds before the race (I'm not on the banner, they're from last year's Team.) Runners pass MSKCC at Mile 17.

Obligatory photo of Lance -- that's Joan Benoit Samuelson, who won gold at the 1984 Olympic Marathon, pacing him

Some of the patients were able to come out and cheer for us. They are the real reason I ran, and seeing them at Mile 17 was the energy boost I needed to get through the last 9 miles.

And if you don't believe that I could have energy at Mile 17, just take a look at this classic shot:


Isn't it great to get dressed at 4:00am?

More anon.