World Run Day

November 5 th, 2006

Central Park Reservoir – New York, NY

New York City woke up this morning to a brisk, but beautifully clear day perfect for the thousands of runners and fans that converged on the Big Apple for Marathon Weekend. For World Run Day, a group of runners and walkers made their way to the Central Park Reservoir to share in a celebration of fitness and charitable giving. This year’s proceeds were donated to the Fight Hunger Initiative of the United Nations World Food Programme. Specifically, WFP’s school feeding programs throughout the world.

Setup less than three weeks ago in New York City by World Run Day Founder Bill McDermott and volunteer organizer David Monico, enough money was raised through registration fees alone in Central Park to feed fifty children for a month in under served communities. Also sponsored in New York City by the ONE campaign to end world poverty, it was another example of how one person or a few people can make a real difference for the global community.

The New York participants joined thousands of others in over twenty-countries to celebrate this day. One of those included U.N. “Ambassador Against Hunger”, Paul Tergat, the world record holder in the marathon and 2005 New York City marathon champion. Competing in the marathon this morning, Tergat again was involved in an exciting finish after last year’s memorable fight to the finish victory. Unable to repeat as champion, he nonetheless finished a remarkable 3 rd overall in a star-studded field emphasizing his place as one of the most successful marathon runners in history.

The runners and walkers at the Central Park Reservoir who joined athletes such as Tergat in World Run Day enjoyed the calmness of the park in the midst of one of the largest cities offering one of the most beautiful scenes of any metropolis. Slightly less than 1.5 miles around, the dirt path alongside the Reservoir presented World Run Day participants a great location to take part in the event. It also offered the luxury of cheering on the Marathon participants as they entered the later stages of their journey through the five boroughs of New York City.

Thank you for all those who registered and took place in events around the world.

David Monico

New York City Organizer