Nina Parks-Taylor and Mark Taylor made national headlines 10 years ago when they got married at mile 17 of the New York City Marathon. This year, again on Marathon Sunday, the New York couple returned to the same spot—First Avenue at 75th Street—to renew their vows.

“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Nina said after she and Mark finished the marathon together in a time of 4:41:38. “But my arms are really tired from waving at everyone!” She added that the waves were returned, as crowds of spectators lit up when the couple—he in a wedding jacket and she in a special “Runaway Bride” flexible gown—passed by them along the course.

“It was just like 10 years ago,” Nina said, “except this time our two young daughters were with us for the ceremony.” Read full story...

Like tens of thousands of other runners, Lauren Pitarresi woke up before dawn on Sunday, November 7. “I get up early,” she said, “because we can’t be late.” At age 10, Lauren is still a few years too young to run the ING New York City Marathon. But on Marathon Sunday, she had a very important job to do: She was one of 10 New York City school kids—two from each borough—chosen to introduce the top professional runners before the start of the race.

Lauren arrived at the start with her dad, Tony, a two-time ING New York City Marathon finisher who runs with the New York Flyers. The Pitarresis live less than a mile from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Lauren belongs to the NYRR Young Runners team at her school, St. John Villa Academy. Read full story...