NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, November 5, 2001

Patriotic Strut to Marathon

By DEREK ROSE and BILL HUTCHINSON

Speed and patriotism were major themes at the 32nd New York City Marathon yesterday as new men's and women's records were set, and many runners raced with heavy hearts for the victims of the World Trade Center attack

.The grueling, 26.2-mile endurance course through the five boroughs kicked off in Staten Island under supertight security with 2,800 cops lining the route, and a no-fly zone enforced in the sky.

Against a backdrop of balmy weather and the boisterous cheers of thousands of spectators, runners and wheelchair racers made it safely to the Central Park finish line - some breathing easily, others huffing, puffing and staggering. At least 10 people ran in place of relatives who were killed Sept. 11.

"There is no other competition like this in the world," said Markus Poll, 32, a police officer from Austria, who completed the race in 2 hours, 37 seconds. "It's a great feeling. I love New York!"

Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia won the men's race with a record-breaking time of 2:07:43, shattering the course record by 18 seconds.

The women's winner was Margaret Okayo of Kenya, whose time of 2:24:21 bested the old mark by 19 seconds.

Saul Mendoza of Texas was the winner in the wheelchair division, finishing in 1:39:29.

But for those just running to run, the path was rich with admirers, poignant displays of American pride and bands serenading them with everything from jazz to heavy metal. The official motto of the marathon was, "United We Run."

Robert Melillo, 41, of Rockville Centre, L.I., ran wearing a T-shirt bearing the picture of Firefighter Brian McAleese, who died at the twin towers.

"People were yelling, 'Do it for Brian! Do it for Brian!" said Melillo, a chiropractor.

According to estimates, more than 25,000 people participated in the race, and more than 23,400 finished in under 6 1/2 hours, officials said.

Florida's Big Presence

Naples, Fla., Firefighter Keith Teague, 41, ran holding a 4-foot-by-3-foot flag, which he planned to present to the firefighters at Engine 30 and Ladder 45 on the upper West Side. He also had a check for $100,000, which was raised by Florida firefighters to support the families of their fallen brothers here.

Brian Brennan, 32, of Woodside, Queens, was running for his brother, Firefighter Michael Brennan of Ladder Co. 4, who also died while saving lives at the Trade Center. Brennan said his 28-year-old brother always dreamed of running the marathon some day.

Even with the constant threat of terrorism, spectators stood three to four deep in spots like the 15-mile marker on the Queens side of the Queensborough Bridge, and the 8-mile markers at Fourth and Atlantic Aves. in Brooklyn.

"We were a little nervous to come out and be in such a large crowd because of the threats," said spectator Juanita Lucia, 33, of Brooklyn, who watched the race with her 6-year-old son, Marcos. "But we felt it was important to come and show our support."