Like much of life now, the COVID-19 pandemic is transforming running competitions. The Columbia & New York-Presbyterian
Marathon Team Relay is adapting by adding a virtual component.
Runners in the three-day event can now participate from anywhere in the U.S. and submit their results tracked by a GPS app.
Teams, of two to eight members, can also opt to run on-site at the Armory New Balance Track & Field Center in Manhattan Oct. 15-17.
The marathon, now in its fifth year, has always attracted teams from healthcare organizations, with Columbia Orthopedics, NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering, NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Boehringer Ingelheim fielding teams in the past or this year.
The event benefits the Armory Foundation and supports its after-school programs for children from underserved New York communities. About 2,000 students in the Armory College Prep program have earned more than $10 million in college scholarships.
“We welcome all Heathcare Heroes to join in the fun or aim for the Healthcare division record board,” Armory Foundation Co-President Jonathan Schindel said.
