Ted Metellus speaks with Mendte in the Morning about the New Balance 5th Ave mile this Sunday and how important the event is to the city and the lead up to the NYC Marathon.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
And also in the Big Three a huge event this
week and the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile, and so
let's talk about that with Ted Mittellis, who is the
race director for the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile and
Chief Event production Officer at New York road Runners. New
(00:21):
York Roadrunners you know them because of the New York Marathon,
but that's not all they do. The New York Roadrunners
sponsor and put together events like the New Balance Fifth
Avenue Mile and many events during the year. So Ted,
thanks for being here. Tell us a little bit about
the Roadrunners before we get to the race.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Well, good morning the day, Larry and everyone. Great to
chat with you really quickly. So New York O're runners. Goodness.
We've been around since nineteen fifty eight. We are known
as the nonprofit that runs New York, producing over sixty
events throughout the calendar year throughout the New York Trusty
Area and Jersey City as well. Everything from road races
to park runs, to free youth programs and senior programs.
(01:07):
It's all about movement, running and activity when it comes
down to New York road Runners.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
By the way, we should point out that we are
going to be live on iHeartRadio seven to ten WR
this Sunday from noon to one, that's when the big
race happens, and it'll be on WABCTV, It'll be on ESPN,
plus you can go to the New York Roadrunners app
for the live finish line feed and the runners on
the track. So you'll be able to see this many
(01:32):
many ways. And so let's talk about the race now, Ted,
thank you. What makes the Fifth Avenue Mile so iconic?
Because I know it's the marathon, is the premiere, but
the Fifth Avenue Race is right up there in its own.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Right, absolutely forty fourth running of the New Balance Fifth
Avenue Mile. They'll be going on this Sunday, September sixth,
and it is one of our quicktessential events at New
York cow Runners because it encompasses everything that we do
in the community that we serve. Will have youth that
will be out there participating in the Back to School Mile,
(02:07):
from as young as two year olds to eighteen year
olds doing dashes in a mile distance. As well, know
the two year olds are not running a mile. We'll
have seniors that will be out there participating with seniors
in their eighties and nineties that will be doing the
mile distance as well, and then mix between that Goodness
is going to be professional athletes, Olympic athletes that we've
(02:30):
seen represent our nation and other nations that will be
running in our iconic race. They'll be starting at our
final heats that you'll be broadcasting at noon, and a
bunch of amazing specialty runs as well.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Who are the runners we should be watching for Goodness?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
You know, the thing that I love about this race
is it is a mixed bag of runners that have
competed in this event multiple times and debut athletes as well.
So coming back to defend her chancempionship. From the professional
side is Christa Schwrotzer, who tied the women's event marker
and her debut. We'll also have eleven Olympians going to
(03:08):
be out there as well. We'll be having some debut
athletes like Agi Wilson, Ravine Rogers, Heaven McLean all coming
out to run with us see and representing the nation,
which is amazing to see. And on the men's side,
Goodness doing his debut. Leading the men's field will be
that Goose who is on our twenty twenty four bronze
(03:29):
medalists in the fifteen hundred. He'll be out there alongside
Josh hoeyb Kesseler, Evan Yaiger. These athletes compete throughout the
United States and overseas, and on Sunday they'll be representing
here on Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
And every time I hear these runners talk about this race,
they talk about how special it is to them and
how different it is. That it's not like a track
race that you would see on television, and because of that,
it brings its own difficulties. I'm sure you've heard that
from the runners before as well.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Absolutely absolutely unlike the traditional track race where you're going
around the track and you have full understanding of what
the track is going to be. A track is a
track is a track not on the Fifth Avenue year
And when you're running down this roadway, you have to
be very calculated about when you want to have that
kick and when you make sure that you get come
in for a very strong finish. So it makes for
a unique experience, particularly for our dB athletes, but those
(04:27):
that have come out and run before know exactly when
they's put it on. So the trick is to stay
close to those athletes as you make your way through.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
You know, the thing that's really special about this is,
you know, the big race, the one you've been talking about,
the one we've been talking about. You know, that's the headliner,
that's the big finale. But there's so much going on
during the day that's special, and including the NYPD going
up against the Fire Department and Broadway Cares running this
(04:54):
this year with the Broadway Stars helping to fight AIDS.
Can you talk about out some of the races during
the day that are special.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yes, yes, so you mentioned briefly here our first ever
Broadway Mile. Again continue with this theme of debuts and
tom opportunities for folks. We'll have Broadway actors and actresses
that will be there representing amazing shows like The Little Mermaid,
Dear Evan Hansen, Heidi's on Hamilton. You've seen these actors
(05:26):
on stage performing and now you'll see you know, Sarah Brogis,
Jordan Fisher, Jordan Glitz, Patina Miller, who's many of our races,
all out there running a mile as well. So you
get to cheer them on stage and on Sunday you'll
get to see them onto that.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
And some of them have to run to a matinee.
Right after that, they're going to run to the finish
line and then run directed with the matinee. You know,
I know you're a runner. What does this race mean
to you?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Well, what's what it means to me ultimately is what
you'll see on race day, really seeing everyone from our youth,
to our seniors, to our physicists to our fastest and
folks that are getting out there just to test their ability.
And what's really a great end for those athletes that
get to run every single year, they test their barometer
of fitness with the Fifth Avenue mile. What's also amazing
(06:15):
too is unlike the Great TCSUU City Marathon, this is
a chance for family, friend and look want to see
you hammer a mile from start to finis and sure
you on and celebrate you there as well. So I'm
particularly happy for the debut athletes. I'm really excited about
people that are coming out there and saying, hey, I
have this as a bucket list item. Let me get
out there and do this. Because I've been doing the
(06:36):
open runs, I've been participating in the different races. How
about coming out here and doing this Fifth Avenue for
the first time.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
You know, the runners are one thing. They go out there,
they're worried about how they're going to perform, They're worried
about the weather. They're just worried about their run. What
is your biggest worry on these days?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Well, for all of our outdoors and Larry is the weather,
and we have spectacular weather on deck. The biggest portion
of my stress in the weather, and it's the knowns
versus the unknowns. You plan for the known to prepare
for the unknown, and we are prepared to have a
great day weather rise on Sunday and ensuring that people
(07:13):
show up for their times. Definitely go online to our
nr dot website to see what their times are, make
sure they're there on time, ready to go, shoes tied,
double knotted.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
I'll tell you what ed it. It shows me that
God is a runner because it was going to rain
yesterday and it's not going to rain today. So somebody
got involved in help you out in that. Thanks so
much for spending time with us today.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Thank you very very much. Looking forward to having you
all broadcast off Fit Balance fifth Abum.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
We're looking forward to noon to one on Sunday for
for the for that I forgot the sponsor there for
a second and the most important part of the entire thing,
the new balance fifth avenue mile
And also in the Big Three a huge event this
week and the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile, and so
let's talk about that with Ted Mittellis, who is the
race director for the New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile and
Chief Event production Officer at New York road Runners. New
(00:21):
York Roadrunners you know them because of the New York Marathon,
but that's not all they do. The New York Roadrunners
sponsor and put together events like the New Balance Fifth
Avenue Mile and many events during the year. So Ted,
thanks for being here. Tell us a little bit about
the Roadrunners before we get to the race.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Well, good morning the day, Larry and everyone. Great to
chat with you really quickly. So New York O're runners. Goodness.
We've been around since nineteen fifty eight. We are known
as the nonprofit that runs New York, producing over sixty
events throughout the calendar year throughout the New York Trusty
Area and Jersey City as well. Everything from road races
to park runs, to free youth programs and senior programs.
(01:07):
It's all about movement, running and activity when it comes
down to New York road Runners.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
By the way, we should point out that we are
going to be live on iHeartRadio seven to ten WR
this Sunday from noon to one, that's when the big
race happens, and it'll be on WABCTV, It'll be on ESPN,
plus you can go to the New York Roadrunners app
for the live finish line feed and the runners on
the track. So you'll be able to see this many
(01:32):
many ways. And so let's talk about the race now, Ted,
thank you. What makes the Fifth Avenue Mile so iconic?
Because I know it's the marathon, is the premiere, but
the Fifth Avenue Race is right up there in its own.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Right, absolutely forty fourth running of the New Balance Fifth
Avenue Mile. They'll be going on this Sunday, September sixth,
and it is one of our quicktessential events at New
York cow Runners because it encompasses everything that we do
in the community that we serve. Will have youth that
will be out there participating in the Back to School Mile,
(02:07):
from as young as two year olds to eighteen year
olds doing dashes in a mile distance. As well, know
the two year olds are not running a mile. We'll
have seniors that will be out there participating with seniors
in their eighties and nineties that will be doing the
mile distance as well, and then mix between that Goodness
is going to be professional athletes, Olympic athletes that we've
(02:30):
seen represent our nation and other nations that will be
running in our iconic race. They'll be starting at our
final heats that you'll be broadcasting at noon, and a
bunch of amazing specialty runs as well.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Who are the runners we should be watching for Goodness?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
You know, the thing that I love about this race
is it is a mixed bag of runners that have
competed in this event multiple times and debut athletes as well.
So coming back to defend her chancempionship. From the professional
side is Christa Schwrotzer, who tied the women's event marker
and her debut. We'll also have eleven Olympians going to
(03:08):
be out there as well. We'll be having some debut
athletes like Agi Wilson, Ravine Rogers, Heaven McLean all coming
out to run with us see and representing the nation,
which is amazing to see. And on the men's side,
Goodness doing his debut. Leading the men's field will be
that Goose who is on our twenty twenty four bronze
(03:29):
medalists in the fifteen hundred. He'll be out there alongside
Josh hoeyb Kesseler, Evan Yaiger. These athletes compete throughout the
United States and overseas, and on Sunday they'll be representing
here on Fifth Avenue, New York City.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
And every time I hear these runners talk about this race,
they talk about how special it is to them and
how different it is. That it's not like a track
race that you would see on television, and because of that,
it brings its own difficulties. I'm sure you've heard that
from the runners before as well.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Absolutely absolutely unlike the traditional track race where you're going
around the track and you have full understanding of what
the track is going to be. A track is a
track is a track not on the Fifth Avenue year
And when you're running down this roadway, you have to
be very calculated about when you want to have that
kick and when you make sure that you get come
in for a very strong finish. So it makes for
a unique experience, particularly for our dB athletes, but those
(04:27):
that have come out and run before know exactly when
they's put it on. So the trick is to stay
close to those athletes as you make your way through.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
You know, the thing that's really special about this is,
you know, the big race, the one you've been talking about,
the one we've been talking about. You know, that's the headliner,
that's the big finale. But there's so much going on
during the day that's special, and including the NYPD going
up against the Fire Department and Broadway Cares running this
(04:54):
this year with the Broadway Stars helping to fight AIDS.
Can you talk about out some of the races during
the day that are special.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yes, yes, so you mentioned briefly here our first ever
Broadway Mile. Again continue with this theme of debuts and
tom opportunities for folks. We'll have Broadway actors and actresses
that will be there representing amazing shows like The Little Mermaid,
Dear Evan Hansen, Heidi's on Hamilton. You've seen these actors
(05:26):
on stage performing and now you'll see you know, Sarah Brogis,
Jordan Fisher, Jordan Glitz, Patina Miller, who's many of our races,
all out there running a mile as well. So you
get to cheer them on stage and on Sunday you'll
get to see them onto that.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
And some of them have to run to a matinee.
Right after that, they're going to run to the finish
line and then run directed with the matinee. You know,
I know you're a runner. What does this race mean
to you?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Well, what's what it means to me ultimately is what
you'll see on race day, really seeing everyone from our youth,
to our seniors, to our physicists to our fastest and
folks that are getting out there just to test their ability.
And what's really a great end for those athletes that
get to run every single year, they test their barometer
of fitness with the Fifth Avenue mile. What's also amazing
(06:15):
too is unlike the Great TCSUU City Marathon, this is
a chance for family, friend and look want to see
you hammer a mile from start to finis and sure
you on and celebrate you there as well. So I'm
particularly happy for the debut athletes. I'm really excited about
people that are coming out there and saying, hey, I
have this as a bucket list item. Let me get
out there and do this. Because I've been doing the
(06:36):
open runs, I've been participating in the different races. How
about coming out here and doing this Fifth Avenue for
the first time.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
You know, the runners are one thing. They go out there,
they're worried about how they're going to perform, They're worried
about the weather. They're just worried about their run. What
is your biggest worry on these days?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Well, for all of our outdoors and Larry is the weather,
and we have spectacular weather on deck. The biggest portion
of my stress in the weather, and it's the knowns
versus the unknowns. You plan for the known to prepare
for the unknown, and we are prepared to have a
great day weather rise on Sunday and ensuring that people
(07:13):
show up for their times. Definitely go online to our
nr dot website to see what their times are, make
sure they're there on time, ready to go, shoes tied,
double knotted.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
I'll tell you what ed it. It shows me that
God is a runner because it was going to rain
yesterday and it's not going to rain today. So somebody
got involved in help you out in that. Thanks so
much for spending time with us today.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Thank you very very much. Looking forward to having you
all broadcast off Fit Balance fifth Abum.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
We're looking forward to noon to one on Sunday for
for the for that I forgot the sponsor there for
a second and the most important part of the entire thing,
the new balance fifth avenue mile
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