'Team Takbo' represents PHL in NY marathon

The Philippine flag flew at the first Parade of Nations of the ING New York Marathon last November 4, along with those from more than 75 nations. Team Takbo, a running team based in New York, represented the Philippines during the parade, which saw around 1, 500 runners marching at the finish line in Central Park. The ING New York City Marathon is one of the world’s biggest crowd-drawing races, with more than 100, 000 applicants yearly. In an interview with NY1 News, New York Road Runners CEO Mary Wittenberg said the parade gives “an Olympic-style opening ceremony" to the marathon, which began Nov. 6. “We think of the marathon as a people’s Olympics. Every year… runners from around the world come here to perform… in front of our amazing two million New York City fans. We thought what better way to open our people’s Olympics than with an Olympic-style opening ceremony," Wittenberg said. The marathon, founded by avid runner Fred Lebow, started in 1970 with only 127 runners, who participated in a 26.2 mile race “that looped several times within Central Park." - VVP, GMA News