2011 New York Marathon Results: Apolo Ohno, Jennie Finch, Other Notable Times
November 7, 2011
Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya set a new record for the New York Marathon this past weekend, but how did some notable celebrities fare in the big race?
Mutai had a time of 2:05:06, and the closest celebrity or sports star to that time was Olympic speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno, with a time of 3:25:14.
Ohno told reporters that despite being in great shape, the event was far from easy. Per ESPN:
This was tough, this was really tough. You know, my body was designed for pure sprinting.
I've always thought speedskaters were the most fit athletes in the world. I did a pretty good job representing.
The eight-time gold medal winner raised over $26,000 for the Special Olympics, but he wasn't the only well-known athlete running for charity.
Another Olympic gold medalist, softball pitcher Jennie Finch began the race as the very last person. The 2011 New York Marathon was the largest field ever at 47,107, according to ESPN.
Finch's sponsor, Timex, donated $1 for every person she passed to youth programs operated by the marathon organizers, the New York Road Runners.
She finished with a time of 4:05:26, passing thousands of people on the way.
Finch gave birth to her second child in June, which makes her time that much more impressive.
I understand why people do it over and over and put themselves through this incredible pain to experience it.
It's so empowering. And to see the generosity of people on the streets and the excitement, I think it overwhelmed me, how it just united the community and the world.
Other celebrities running in the event:
Six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier, who finished with a time of 4:14:21. Messier was running for two charities in relation to 9/11, Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund and Answer the Call.
Shonda Schilling, wife of former pitcher Curt Schilling, ran for Autism Speaks and finished with a time of 4:58:50.
Actor Mario Lopez finished at 4:23:30.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar finished at 4:19:16.