It’s another fall day in the Northeast with the color-spectrum of leaves. This time of the year has some of the best views of the foliage. Then, not long from now we’ll be trying to get through snow, sleet and freezing rain. But just before that, folks are getting ready for a few other harvest-time traditions.

In NYC excitement is building for the return of the Marathon. It was suspended last year due to Covid. Now, athletes from far and wide and getting ready to run their hearts out. The event stats are just crazy. Over 30K runners from 140 countries set to run a 26.2 mile stretch. And yes, some celebrities too.

With this the 50^th anniversary, there’s buzz to go along with the carbs. Willie Geist from NBC News is in it for the first time. Abby Wambach, soccer Olympic gold medalist and FIFA World Cup champ as well. Hip-Hop Icon Diddy (LOVE) did it in 2003. Even a runner who was there for the first one is set to run this one.

The event is like a tour of the five boroughs of NYC, starting in Staten Island and ending in Manhattan. The starting line-up will include pros as long-distance runners. For some it’s become like a walk in the park. There’ll also be folks like friends and neighbors who see this as a crowning moment of sorts.

The collective experience has great lessons for participants and onlookers. Some have recovered from a life-altering situation and see this event as a coming-out party. For many more no matter their professional station or social status in life, it’s a show of strength, inspiration and determination through:    

• Training

While running is a basic physical activity, only a fool would show-up to run a marathon without the training. To go from start to finish takes having put-in the work of running miles and miles each day. In other words, they gotta do more than break-a-sweat, they gotta break the mold, fear and pain in stages.  

• Tribute

Part of the incentive is in doing something that seemed like a stretch. If you’ve never run a mile non-stop, how ya gonna pull-off running more extra miles? For some, the inspiration is in paying tribute to a family member, friend or lost loved-one as appreciation for the personal connection. Geist is doing it for his dad.

• Fundraiser

Often in the case of celebrities, they’re doing it as a fundraiser for a cause. Before we had online crowdfunding, there were sponsor sheets that folks would get friends and family to fill-out a donation. They’ll sponsor a certain amount for each lap or mile or mountain peak achievement you get to reach.         

• Crowd-pleaser

Even on cold days, fans will hang for hours along the course to wave, cheer and catch the thrill. It’s the kind of crowd-pleaser that doesn’t cost much but brings a lot of heartfelt returns. Just think about the feeling a runner has at the finish line, after hearing friends and family scream their name along the way.    

The night before the race is when runners get to load-up on carbs. This way they’ll have the energy to take them through the finish. No matter a runner’s age, ability or reason, the experience reminds us all of what it takes to turn dreams into golden moments. You gotta run, run, run with vision and purpose.

Tip: To turn dreams into golden moments no matter your age, sex, ability or nationality, you gotta start somewhere and then run run run with vision and purpose to the finish line.

Talkback: Who’s up for the marathon challenge?

Tracks: One Republic – Run – https://youtu.be/TKkcsmvYTw4

BBD – Run – https://youtu.be/lRrY2_4AKKs