NYRR Gridiron Classic (4M)/ Longest Football Throw Competition

February 1, 2009 [Results]

Thousands of enthusiastic runners left their warm apartments on Super Bowl Sunday to participate in the NYRR Gridiron Classic and Longest Football Throw Competition in Central Park. No matter which team they were rooting for, they enjoyed a healthy morning of running and camaraderie.

Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers fans lined up to throw the longest pass.	The referees got in on the action and showed their hand-eye coordination.	John Volpe of NYRR shared a moment with a four-footed fan.	Kids and adults tested their arms before testing their legs.
The runners were off! The 4-mile race started under sunny skies with a temp of 30 degrees.	Steelers fan and would-be linebacker Stephanie Gottlieb forged a path through the field.	Staten Island’s Nancy DiPietro proudly wore Cardinal red and white.	The Steelers were well represented by jerseys on runners young and old.
Claudia Mendoza of Briarwood, NY, and Marla Lopez of NYC cheered together and finished together in 39:02.	Steelers fans were ecstatic from morning to night. Laura Marchesani (right) finished in 34:13.	William Hennessy of Flushing made his way to the finish line.	In Sook Ra of the Korean Road Runners Club took the inside lane to finish in 38:37.
Dan Hurwitz waved his Terrible Towel as he approached the finish.	New York’s Robert Rohde high-fived a spectator in appreciation of the support.	Christopher Pannone, a 22-year-old college student, broke the tape in 19:12.	Yuliya Gromova of the Warren Street Social & Athletic Club led the way in 21:21.
New York bagels tasted even better than usual after a good run.	These runners wore their NYRR Gridiron Classic shirts proudly as they enjoyed the post-race refreshments.	St. HOPE Leadership Academy’s runners from Harlem are living and eating healthier thanks to NYRR programs.	Children from P.S. 246 Lightning in the Bronx celebrated their love of running.