Marathon Legacy: Brooklyn principal eyes 15th NYC finish

Maureen O’Neil will cross the finish line in Central Park on Sunday, November 1, as she attempts to complete her 15th New York City Marathon. The 73-year-old Brooklyn resident is part of a large group of participants covering the 26.2-mile route across all five boroughs. For O’Neil, the event is not a first-time experience. She began running marathons in 2005 when she was in her 50s.

The school principal has a long history with the sport. She started with local charity races while working as a teacher, using the events to raise funds for her students and the local community. Her interest in running was sparked by a specific event in 1976. That year marked the first time the New York City Marathon included a course that went through all five boroughs and crossed the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

O’Neil recalled the moment the news reached her while she was teaching. "Somebody said oh my god they’re having a marathon going over the [Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge] for the very first time, they’re going to run through the boroughs," she told Brooklyn Paper. "I heard it and I thought how amazing that would be. So the seed was planted." The 1976 race served as a catalyst for her personal involvement in the sport.

Family influence played a major role in her athletic development. Her great-grandfather was a successful runner in Ireland who earned several accolades. Her uncles also ran. O’Neil spent her childhood admiring their achievements. "I always loved running, though as a child I was never on a team," she said. Her own children followed a similar path, running track and participating in college athletics.

The physical demands of the marathon remain constant for O’Neil. She identifies the stretch from mile 20 to the finish line as the most difficult part of the race. "From [miles] 20 to 26.2 two, so the 6.2 miles are challenging for me," she said. "I have to dig deep." This section of the course is where fatigue and pain typically set in for many runners, making the final push mentally and physically taxing.

O’Neil relies on the presence of her family for motivation during these difficult miles. She knows exactly where they will be positioned near the finish line. "In those moments, I know exactly where my family is going to be. I do," she said. "That motivated me to keep going and pushing through." She also credits her support system for helping her manage the demands of the race. "Yes, we can do hard things. But, I think having people tell us that as well is very important," she said.