Runners plastered “I Love New York” stickers on their arms and legs yesterday before defying terrorist threats to tackle the 32nd New York City Marathon.
With police helicopters patrolling the sky and thousands of cops lining streets, about 25,000 runners battled through the pain barrier as patriotic spectators sang “God Bless America” and waved placards denouncing terrorism.
“Everybody is running for New York,” said Andrey Baranov, 35, who wasn’t going to run this year because of a stress fracture in his leg.
“After Sept. 11, I just had to run – we all have to show that we will go on no matter what,” he said.
But race officials said there were about 5,000 no-shows and suspected they were from the international field.
Race director Allan Steinfeld said it would take a few days to determine precisely who did not run, but word from a number of tour operators indicated that many runners from outside the United States had decided at the last minute to stay home.
Under the slogan “United We Run,” the marathon was dedicated to the victims of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Before the race, competitors were given temporary tattoos of American flags and the “I love New York” logo, along with food and sweat bands.
“It was very moving – every time I went by a firehouse, I couldn’t help but tip my hat,” said 1984 Olympic champion Joan Benoit Samuelson, who finished ninth among U.S. women and 21st overall.
More than 350 city firefighters and police officers took part.
Staten Island firefighter Timothy McCauley wore a black bandanna that belonged to his friend of 25 years, missing firefighter Tom Celik.
“Tom’s going to motivate me – he’s gonna pull me through,” said McCauley, who had trained with Celik for the race since June.
Heavy security blanketed the 26.2-mile race as it wove through New York’s five boroughs.
Authorities undertook background security checks on competitors and inspected thousands of bags as runners approached the starting line.
Air space above the course was restricted, sharpshooters were stationed on rooftops and four of five bridges were closed to traffic.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who started the race after catching a red-eye flight from Phoenix, where he was watching the Yankees, declined to say how many police officers patrolled the marathon but organizers said nearly 3,000 cops and other security officers were involved.
The heavy security did not dampen the spirits of competitors and spectators – many of whom traveled to New York to take part, giving city hotels and restaurants a much-needed tourist boost.
Lawrence Merrifield, 33, traveled from Portland, Ore., to take part, ignoring friends who suggested he should wait until next year.
“I thought to myself, ‘Damn it, I’m not going to change my life’ – and, besides, I’ve trained too hard to give it away,” he said.
The race winner was Ethiopian Tesfaye Jifar, who crossed the finish line in Central Park in an unofficial course record time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 43 seconds.