Michael Jordan, dean of the chapel, ran in the record breaking New York City Marathon this past Sunday. He finished in 3541st place out of over fifty thousand runners, with a time of three hours, 26 minutes, and 45 seconds. According to a Runner’s World article, published Monday, this was the largest marathon in history with a total count of 50,564 finishers.
Jordan stayed on Staten Island, the starting location, about a quarter mile away from the starting line. He said most participants stay in Manhattan and have to take the subway and ferry over, which takes hours. Instead he said he, “rolled out of bed, walked down the street to get a bagel and a cup of coffee and then walked over and ran the race.”
According to Jordan, for him some of the most rewarding aspects of running the marathon was being in a big city, the feeling of accomplishment, and being happy with his time. Distinguished by his poncho, given to him at the finish, he said it seemed the whole city seemed to be asking him excitedly, “Did you run the marathon?!” He was even offered warmer clothes by person on the street, to which he declined. New York City, which he added for having a reputation for being grouchy, he said was really nice and called it “the friendliest city in the world” that day.
There were many international runners in the marathon according to Jordan. He said there were people waving flags from around the world along the course. Wilson Kipsang, and Mary Keitany, both Kenyans, won this year’s mens and womens marathon .
Jordan decided to enter the lottery system for running in the marathon four years ago. His then colleague, Ginny Routhe, former sustainability coordinator at Houghton College, entered at the same time. She also ran in the marathon Sunday.
This was the ninth marathon Jordan ran. The eight other marathons in Buffalo, Letchworth State Park, Niagara Falls, Rehoboth Beach, and the New Jersey Shore. He said though he is a much more introverted runner, given the chance he would run the NYC marathon again.