Where Your Dreams Become Reality
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Where Your Dreams Become Reality |
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NYRR Director Mary Wittenberg Honored by Wise By David Monti (c) 2006 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved NEW YORK (24-May) -- New York Road Runners's President and CEO, Mary Wittenberg, was honored as one of three WISE Women of the Year at a luncheon here today at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. WISE, Women in Sports and Entertainment, is a not-for-profit service group supporting women who work in the sports and special events industry. Wittenberg, who is also the race director of the ING New York City Marathon, was indroduced by world marathon champion and world record holder, Paula Radcliffe. The two first met when Radcliffe ran the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10-K in 2001. "When I had my biggest career disaster in Athens, Mary was one of the first people who reached out to me," said Radcliffe in her remarks, referring to the 2004 Olympic Games where she dropped out of both the marathon and 10,000m. She also described Wittenberg, formerly a practicing attorney, as "just a warm and generous person." In opening her acceptance speech, Wittenberg returned the compliment to Radcliffe with whom she stays in close touch via e-mail. "I believe you are the greatest marathoner, male or female, our sport has ever seen," said Wittenberg, also calling Radcliffe a "living legend." Wittenberg, a collegiate rower who turned to running and qualified for the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon, is the first woman to direct a major marathon, and is widely credited with getting five of the world's top marathons --Berin, Boston, Chicago, London and New York-- to come together and form the World Marathon Majors competitive series. "Our goals are big," said Wittenberg of the New York Road Runners, the founders and organizers of the ING New York City Marathon. "We're here to change the world through running." Wittenberg stressed that the team approach at NYRR made all of her organization's accomplishments possible. "I can only accept this award on behalf of this team," she said pointing to the three tables of NYRR personnel seated at the luncheon. She added that she had big plans for her sport in the future. "Our sport is not basketball. Our sport is not NASCAR. But, we're going to be." Also honored were Sheila Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Network (BET) and the owner of the Washington Mystics WNBA team, and Beatriz Perez, Vice-President, Sports and Entertainment Marketing of the North American division of Coca-Cola. Suzy Kolber, an ESPN sports anchor and reporter, acted as emcee.
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Cross Country Spikes 10% off Injured?
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