New York City Marathon 2013: Why Latinos Run The Race

The New York City Marathon has special significance for many Latinos throughout the city. Last week, the New York Times published as story detailing the significance of the race to many Hispanic residents of the city. Julio Sauce, 41, is from Ecuador and works as a cook in Hells Kitchen: the marathon running fee of $227 is almost half his paycheck. Luis Cesareo is 32 years old and comes from Mexico. He works as a livery dispatcher from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. and sleeps during the day. This year, in his second marathon, he is hoping to finish in 2 hours and 40 minutes, placing him in the top 100 male finishers. Both Latino runners belong to the West Side Running Club: nearly all of its 300 members were born outside the US.

Running the New York City Marathon for these Latinos is a way of overcoming obstacles, coming together as teammates with other immigrants, and making their mark on this city that is home to so many Hispanic immigrants. Felipe Vergara, 49, runs 8 to10 miles in Prospect Park every morning at 4.30 am. He then works as a plumber to support his four children in Mexico. For Jen Correa, the Marathon is even more personal. She was set to run it last year, when Hurricane Sandy struck. As the Santa Fe New Mexican reports, not only did the superstorm force the Marathon's cancellation, but it also destroyed her family's home, taking everything they had. It has been a long year of rebuilding for Correa. But now she is ready to run: for her, the Marathon represents her triumph over adversity. For so many Latinos throughout the city, the New York City Marathon represents the ability of the human spirit to overcome anything.

The New York City Marathon is underway again ths year with nearly 50,000 runners making their way through the five boroughs of Manhattan. After last year's marathon being canceled because of Hurricane Sandy, this year fans and runners alike were determined to prove their determination in the greatest 26.2 mile race in the world. Security has been a big issue this year after the events of the Boston Marathon bombing. The Washington Post reports that barricades are set up around Central Park, where the 26.2-mile race ends. Kenya's Geoffrey Mutai is the defending men's champ after winning in 2011. Ethiopia's Firehiwot Dado is the reigning women's champ.