The Super Bowl isn't just for football fans, especially when it comes to making wagers and celebrating the event.
Boston Marathon executive director Tom Grilk and New York Road Runner president Mary Wittenberg have a “running” bet on Sunday.
If the New England Patriots win, Wittenberg has agreed to wear a Tom Brady jersey during the 2012 B.A.A. 5K on Sunday, April 15. The event takes place one day before the Boston Marathon.
Wittenberg isn’t counting on paying up. “When the Giants win,” she posted on Twitter, “Boston runners will run in Manning jerseys in our Marathon 5k dash.” The NYRR 5k Dash is always run the Saturday before November’s ING New York City Marathon.
But that’s not the only way Wittenberg enjoys the Super Bowl. On Sunday morning, she was up in the pre-dawn hours hosting the New York Road Runners annual Gridiron Classic, a 4 mile race. Runners were encouraged to compete in their favorite team Jersey.
“Once upon a time I was on a Division 1 track and field team, but as a pole vaulter,” tweeted New York runner Michelle Fantus. “Gridiron Classic is going to be rough.”
Runners were able to root for the team they wanted to win the Super Bowl by choosing a designated lane once they hit the 102nd Street Transverse.
Daniel Daly of New York won Sunday’s race in 19:51. Emily Mareb, also of New York, was the top women’s finisher in 22:41.
The Gridiron Classic also hosts an annual football toss to prove runners aren’t all legs. “Some runners can actually throw,” said Wittenberg.
Still, Brady and Manning should have nothing to worry about.
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