1 00:00:00,510 --> 00:00:02,610 Mary Wittenberg: I never intended to become a lawyer. You know the 2 00:00:02,610 --> 00:00:04,830 Mary Wittenberg: risk of sometimes you get in a race that's not 3 00:00:04,830 --> 00:00:06,750 Mary Wittenberg: actually the race you want to win, and you're in 4 00:00:06,750 --> 00:00:08,400 Mary Wittenberg: it, and all of a sudden it's 10 years later. 5 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,190 Mary Wittenberg: I'm like, " Whoa." They're shaking my hand the day I 6 00:00:11,190 --> 00:00:16,440 Mary Wittenberg: make partner. I'm having an existential crisis. Tears are streaming 7 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,900 Mary Wittenberg: and everybody's saying, " Oh, she's so happy. She made it." And 8 00:00:18,900 --> 00:00:25,110 Mary Wittenberg: I'm thinking, " No. What? This was not my goal. I 9 00:00:25,110 --> 00:00:26,340 Mary Wittenberg: want to work in sports." 10 00:00:31,230 --> 00:00:34,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: Hey, everybody, and welcome to Set the Pace, the official 11 00:00:34,260 --> 00:00:38,100 Rob Simmelkjaer: podcast of New York Road Runners presented by Peloton. I'm 12 00:00:38,100 --> 00:00:40,229 Rob Simmelkjaer: your host, Rob Simmelkjaer, the CEO of New York Road 13 00:00:40,229 --> 00:00:43,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: Runners, and with me is not only my co- host, 14 00:00:43,350 --> 00:00:48,809 Rob Simmelkjaer: not only Peloton instructor, but Napa Valley Trail Marathon Champion 15 00:00:48,810 --> 00:00:52,650 Rob Simmelkjaer: of 2026, Becs Gentry. Becs, congratulations! 16 00:00:53,010 --> 00:00:58,291 Becs Gentry: Hi! Thank you. Wait. My prize purse. 17 00:00:58,291 --> 00:01:02,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: Let's show it. Let's show it. Her prize purse. For those who 18 00:01:02,670 --> 00:01:06,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: are listening and not watching, her prize purse is a purse. 19 00:01:08,459 --> 00:01:08,460 Becs Gentry: A chicken. 20 00:01:08,460 --> 00:01:08,461 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, it is an actual purse with a- 21 00:01:08,461 --> 00:01:10,050 Becs Gentry: It's a winner, winner, chicken dinner purse. 22 00:01:11,490 --> 00:01:13,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: A purse in shape of a chicken. I love it. 23 00:01:14,760 --> 00:01:17,311 Rob Simmelkjaer: Brilliant and lovely. And congratulations. 24 00:01:17,311 --> 00:01:18,210 Becs Gentry: Thank you. Thank you. 25 00:01:18,270 --> 00:01:20,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: So we didn't talk much about the fact that you 26 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: were doing this. I know you wanted to kind of 27 00:01:22,410 --> 00:01:24,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: keep it on the DL a little bit. And so 28 00:01:24,990 --> 00:01:27,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: you go out to Napa Valley, you run the ... This was 29 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:29,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: your first trail marathon? 30 00:01:29,670 --> 00:01:30,540 Becs Gentry: In 10 years. 31 00:01:30,750 --> 00:01:31,470 Rob Simmelkjaer: In 10 years? 32 00:01:31,470 --> 00:01:31,860 Becs Gentry: Yeah. 33 00:01:31,860 --> 00:01:34,410 Rob Simmelkjaer: And you win and you win by a lot, by 34 00:01:34,410 --> 00:01:39,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: the way, like 20 minutes. Congratulations. Tell us about this race. 35 00:01:39,510 --> 00:01:41,910 Becs Gentry: Thank you. Yeah, I kept it on the down low 36 00:01:41,910 --> 00:01:47,370 Becs Gentry: because many reasons. I live in a world where I 37 00:01:47,370 --> 00:01:53,070 Becs Gentry: think when I tell people what I'm doing publicly, it 38 00:01:53,070 --> 00:01:55,020 Becs Gentry: can get blown up into something a lot bigger than 39 00:01:55,020 --> 00:01:57,780 Becs Gentry: it is to me, or at least it can feel 40 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:00,300 Becs Gentry: like it's becoming something bigger than I need it to 41 00:02:00,300 --> 00:02:05,220 Becs Gentry: be. And I don't take that external stress and pressure 42 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,580 Becs Gentry: very well. So I've decided to keep most of my 43 00:02:08,580 --> 00:02:14,639 Becs Gentry: races to myself moving forward. So if I don't do 44 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:16,950 Becs Gentry: well, it's only me I'm going to be disappointing. 45 00:02:17,610 --> 00:02:17,611 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, yeah. I get it. 46 00:02:17,611 --> 00:02:20,970 Becs Gentry: And I know I don't disappoint my family and my close friends 47 00:02:20,970 --> 00:02:24,210 Becs Gentry: and my daughter, et cetera. So it just takes the 48 00:02:24,270 --> 00:02:26,850 Becs Gentry: stress levels down a minute. So yes, I've been training 49 00:02:26,850 --> 00:02:29,850 Becs Gentry: my butt off for this. This was a kind of training run 50 00:02:29,850 --> 00:02:32,669 Becs Gentry: in itself in a weird way for other stuff that 51 00:02:32,669 --> 00:02:36,000 Becs Gentry: I have coming up in the remainder of the year, but 52 00:02:36,060 --> 00:02:40,109 Becs Gentry: it was awesome to be back on the trails. And 53 00:02:41,010 --> 00:02:43,919 Becs Gentry: it was a solo trip. Austin and Tallulah stayed here 54 00:02:43,919 --> 00:02:47,970 Becs Gentry: in New York. And I took the weekend before my 55 00:02:47,970 --> 00:02:50,850 Becs Gentry: 40th birthday to spend a bit of time doing the 56 00:02:50,850 --> 00:02:56,820 Becs Gentry: things I love and just relaxing. And you don't have 57 00:02:56,820 --> 00:03:00,360 Becs Gentry: to be a parent to understand this, but when you're 58 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:02,970 Becs Gentry: needed by a lot of people, be it at work, 59 00:03:02,970 --> 00:03:06,720 Becs Gentry: professionally, or socially, or yes, if you are a parent 60 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,180 Becs Gentry: as well on top of that, it's just sometimes nice 61 00:03:09,180 --> 00:03:11,669 Becs Gentry: to go away by yourself and be on your own 62 00:03:11,669 --> 00:03:15,419 Becs Gentry: clock and do things that really fill your cup up 63 00:03:15,419 --> 00:03:19,590 Becs Gentry: so you come back feeling like you can give everything 64 00:03:19,590 --> 00:03:22,950 Becs Gentry: to everybody else for another period of time. So it 65 00:03:22,950 --> 00:03:26,190 Becs Gentry: was a lot of fun. Rob, we're recording this on 66 00:03:26,190 --> 00:03:29,910 Becs Gentry: Tuesday. The race was on Saturday. I'm getting more and 67 00:03:29,910 --> 00:03:31,290 Becs Gentry: more sore by the day. It's ridiculous. 68 00:03:33,150 --> 00:03:35,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: I love it when the sworn is increases. I think 69 00:03:35,670 --> 00:03:36,630 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Tuesday is usually the peak- 70 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:37,651 Becs Gentry: It's normally two days, so I was like ... Yesterday, I was like- 71 00:03:37,651 --> 00:03:41,191 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... although you ran on Saturday, so it's day three. Yeah. 72 00:03:41,191 --> 00:03:43,710 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Monday, I was like, " Monday should have been the worst 73 00:03:43,710 --> 00:03:46,740 Becs Gentry: day." And it was pretty bad yesterday. And I got a 74 00:03:46,740 --> 00:03:49,619 Becs Gentry: run in before I had a 11- hour travel day back 75 00:03:49,620 --> 00:03:54,900 Becs Gentry: from Napa. But this morning, it wasn't worse, but it 76 00:03:54,900 --> 00:03:58,440 Becs Gentry: was the same. I was like, " Come on." So I'm just attributing 77 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,080 Becs Gentry: that to a long travel day yesterday, a lot of 78 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:05,640 Becs Gentry: stagnating in my seat. So I'm going to try and 79 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:07,950 Becs Gentry: be more active. I tried to run again this morning and 80 00:04:07,950 --> 00:04:10,110 Becs Gentry: it was 20 minutes of looking like Bambi on ice, 81 00:04:10,110 --> 00:04:12,480 Becs Gentry: but it's fine. I moved, the blood is pumping the 82 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:16,140 Becs Gentry: lactic acid hopefully out of my system, and we'll get 83 00:04:16,140 --> 00:04:17,010 Becs Gentry: back to work. 84 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:22,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: Was this your first marathon since the Great World Race 85 00:04:22,770 --> 00:04:23,671 Rob Simmelkjaer: or had there been another one? 86 00:04:23,671 --> 00:04:23,672 Becs Gentry: Yeah. 87 00:04:23,672 --> 00:04:24,510 Rob Simmelkjaer: It was, right? 88 00:04:24,510 --> 00:04:24,599 Becs Gentry: Mm- hmm. 89 00:04:24,599 --> 00:04:27,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: So how did that feel? I mean, after doing seven 90 00:04:27,900 --> 00:04:31,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: in seven days to get back ready to run that 91 00:04:31,529 --> 00:04:33,029 Rob Simmelkjaer: distance, what did it feel like? 92 00:04:33,210 --> 00:04:37,500 Becs Gentry: I mean, it's so different, road racing to trail racing. 93 00:04:37,500 --> 00:04:37,859 Rob Simmelkjaer: Of course, yeah. 94 00:04:38,940 --> 00:04:42,540 Becs Gentry: I was thinking about that and it was very, very difficult 95 00:04:42,540 --> 00:04:45,719 Becs Gentry: for me to pull comparison because I feel when I'm 96 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:51,000 Becs Gentry: doing road miles, they drag a lot longer than doing 97 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:55,860 Becs Gentry: trail miles because of the technicality, the variation in pace, the 98 00:04:55,860 --> 00:04:59,520 Becs Gentry: variation of your heart rate, breathing, all of these things 99 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:04,650 Becs Gentry: that seem to pass the time quicker, easier, however you want 100 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,159 Becs Gentry: to coin it. And for me, training for this has 101 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:11,400 Becs Gentry: been really fun. Normally, I don't go into Central Park 102 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:14,730 Becs Gentry: and do multiple loops of Central Park because of the hills. 103 00:05:16,020 --> 00:05:19,830 Becs Gentry: You may run one or two, but I've been doing 104 00:05:19,830 --> 00:05:21,930 Becs Gentry: it a lot and it's been really fun to add 105 00:05:21,930 --> 00:05:25,140 Becs Gentry: in those hills and feel that fatigue. And then even 106 00:05:25,710 --> 00:05:29,279 Becs Gentry: getting onto some trails has been good, but nothing compared 107 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,740 Becs Gentry: me to this. And I promised myself. It was four 108 00:05:31,740 --> 00:05:34,860 Becs Gentry: loops of the same grueling course, and I said on 109 00:05:34,860 --> 00:05:37,170 Becs Gentry: the first loop, I was like, " All right." I was 110 00:05:37,170 --> 00:05:40,200 Becs Gentry: by myself from the start and I just said, " You got to find something 111 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:44,430 Becs Gentry: new, not just a body pain, something new in nature 112 00:05:44,670 --> 00:05:48,690 Becs Gentry: on every loop to keep yourself occupied." And that worked 113 00:05:48,690 --> 00:05:50,970 Becs Gentry: really, really well. And it did seem to pass. It 114 00:05:50,970 --> 00:05:54,779 Becs Gentry: was 40 kilometers in total, so just shy of the 115 00:05:55,350 --> 00:05:59,070 Becs Gentry: actual marathon distance, but just under 5, 000 feet of 116 00:05:59,070 --> 00:06:01,500 Becs Gentry: elevation we climbed- 117 00:06:02,130 --> 00:06:02,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: Jeez. 118 00:06:02,130 --> 00:06:02,491 Becs Gentry: ... which was pretty gnarly. 119 00:06:02,491 --> 00:06:06,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: 5,000 feet. That's bananas. 120 00:06:06,330 --> 00:06:08,730 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Somebody said that's halfway up Everest. I was like, " 121 00:06:08,790 --> 00:06:10,080 Becs Gentry: No, I don't think that's right." 122 00:06:10,140 --> 00:06:10,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: Not quite. No. 123 00:06:10,830 --> 00:06:11,070 Becs Gentry: No. 124 00:06:11,070 --> 00:06:12,931 Rob Simmelkjaer: But still, that's a lot. That's a lot. 125 00:06:12,931 --> 00:06:13,380 Becs Gentry: Yeah. It's like- 126 00:06:13,800 --> 00:06:17,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: That's like sea level to Denver, Colorado. I mean, 5, 127 00:06:17,490 --> 00:06:21,601 Rob Simmelkjaer: 000 feet is nuts in one run. 128 00:06:21,601 --> 00:06:23,969 Becs Gentry: No, it wasn't easy. And then on the third loop, 129 00:06:23,970 --> 00:06:26,820 Becs Gentry: I happened to see the sign that was like, " Rattlesnakes are 130 00:06:26,820 --> 00:06:29,310 Becs Gentry: in the area." I was like, " Oh my God. What 131 00:06:29,310 --> 00:06:31,710 Becs Gentry: now?" I'm English. I don't know how to deal with those. 132 00:06:33,060 --> 00:06:34,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: I don't think too many Americans want to deal with those 133 00:06:34,740 --> 00:06:38,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: either. Well, incredible accomplishment. Proud of you. 134 00:06:38,461 --> 00:06:38,941 Becs Gentry: Thank you. Thank you. 135 00:06:39,450 --> 00:06:42,360 Rob Simmelkjaer: Good luck with the recovery. I'm sure you'll be great 136 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:44,400 Rob Simmelkjaer: and back on the tread before you know it. But 137 00:06:44,460 --> 00:06:46,770 Rob Simmelkjaer: by the way, the most impressive accomplishment, it might have 138 00:06:46,770 --> 00:06:49,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: been actually getting out to California and back- 139 00:06:49,500 --> 00:06:49,589 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Oh, God. 140 00:06:49,590 --> 00:06:52,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... given what's going on with air travel these days. 141 00:06:52,260 --> 00:06:53,520 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can only imagine what that was like. 142 00:06:54,150 --> 00:06:58,979 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Honestly, I will be unlike every other scaremonger on 143 00:06:58,980 --> 00:07:01,500 Becs Gentry: the internet, I had absolutely zero problem. 144 00:07:01,890 --> 00:07:02,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. Brilliant, brilliant. 145 00:07:02,190 --> 00:07:07,830 Becs Gentry: There was no lines at any TSA. I'm very lucky to have TSA 146 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:10,380 Becs Gentry: and CLEAR, which I think a lot of people do 147 00:07:10,380 --> 00:07:13,440 Becs Gentry: now because credit cards do offer great deals on those 148 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:18,690 Becs Gentry: things. And I walked through both ways. I literally walked 149 00:07:18,690 --> 00:07:22,500 Becs Gentry: through as normal, if not even smoother. One flight was 150 00:07:22,590 --> 00:07:25,050 Becs Gentry: early in the morning and one flight was at lunchtime. 151 00:07:25,140 --> 00:07:25,141 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 152 00:07:25,141 --> 00:07:27,960 Becs Gentry: So I can't tell you, but I have another flight 153 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:29,460 Becs Gentry: on Friday, so I'll tell you then if that one 154 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:30,241 Becs Gentry: went well. 155 00:07:30,241 --> 00:07:32,070 Rob Simmelkjaer: Clearly this was meant to be. Clearly this was meant to 156 00:07:32,070 --> 00:07:35,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: be for you. So congratulations. Incredible. 157 00:07:35,970 --> 00:07:36,210 Becs Gentry: Thank you. 158 00:07:36,210 --> 00:07:39,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, speaking of legendary running figures, coming up on Set the 159 00:07:39,930 --> 00:07:43,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: Pace, New York Road Runner's legend, not just a great 160 00:07:43,620 --> 00:07:46,350 Rob Simmelkjaer: runner, but a former CEO and race director here at 161 00:07:46,350 --> 00:07:49,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners, Mary Wittenberg, who also just entered 162 00:07:49,890 --> 00:07:54,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: the Running USA Hall of Fame last month. She will 163 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:57,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: join us to talk about how she helped change women's 164 00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:00,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: professional marathoning, and of course, New York Road Runners. So 165 00:08:00,900 --> 00:08:02,580 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mary, coming up in just a second. 166 00:08:03,210 --> 00:08:08,070 Becs Gentry: Peloton's most advanced tread yet is here. The new Peloton cross- 167 00:08:08,070 --> 00:08:12,420 Becs Gentry: training series Tread Plus, powered by Peloton IQ. Designed for 168 00:08:12,420 --> 00:08:16,170 Becs Gentry: runners who want top- tier performance, it features premium hardware 169 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:19,740 Becs Gentry: that makes every run and workout more efficient, effective, and 170 00:08:19,740 --> 00:08:24,720 Becs Gentry: motivating, and it accelerates your personal growth mile after mile. 171 00:08:25,290 --> 00:08:29,010 Becs Gentry: The rubberized slap belt cushions every single step and creates 172 00:08:29,010 --> 00:08:33,150 Becs Gentry: an energizing running space for each stride. And with strength 173 00:08:33,150 --> 00:08:36,720 Becs Gentry: workouts, you can stack right into your routine. You'll build 174 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:40,709 Becs Gentry: lower body muscle to support stronger runs. With auto- incline 175 00:08:40,710 --> 00:08:45,150 Becs Gentry: adjusting automatically to match instructor queues, your intensity stays exactly 176 00:08:45,150 --> 00:08:47,550 Becs Gentry: where it needs to be so you can stay in 177 00:08:47,550 --> 00:08:51,780 Becs Gentry: the zone and focus on your workout. Experience our most 178 00:08:51,780 --> 00:08:57,240 Becs Gentry: advanced tread yet at onepeloton. com. Peloton, the official digital 179 00:08:57,240 --> 00:08:59,339 Becs Gentry: fitness partner of New York Road Runners. 180 00:08:59,820 --> 00:09:04,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: Our guest today was a champion of the 1987 Marine Corps 181 00:09:04,380 --> 00:09:07,559 Rob Simmelkjaer: Marathon, and from there, she eventually went on to lead 182 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:11,069 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners. Mary Wittenberg guided NYRR and the 183 00:09:11,070 --> 00:09:14,459 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York City Marathon through a decade of explosive growth. 184 00:09:14,940 --> 00:09:17,160 Rob Simmelkjaer: She was also in the room for a pivotal decision 185 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:21,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: in 2002 giving elite women their own front- of- the- 186 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:25,110 Rob Simmelkjaer: race start so the competition and the cameras could finally 187 00:09:25,110 --> 00:09:28,200 Rob Simmelkjaer: follow the women's race on its own terms. Of course, 188 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:30,240 Rob Simmelkjaer: if you ask Mary, she'll tell you that it was 189 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:33,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: a team decision, not just hers, but she certainly played 190 00:09:33,929 --> 00:09:36,449 Rob Simmelkjaer: a big role in making it happen. And it is 191 00:09:36,450 --> 00:09:39,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: great to have my predecessor, one of them, Mary Wittenberg, 192 00:09:39,960 --> 00:09:42,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: back with us on Set the Pace. Hey, Mary, how 193 00:09:42,420 --> 00:09:42,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: are you? 194 00:09:43,230 --> 00:09:46,080 Mary Wittenberg: Hey, Rob. Thanks so much for having me. Hey, Becs. 195 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,860 Becs Gentry: Hi. Thank you for being here. We are so honored 196 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:52,710 Becs Gentry: to have you here and so excited to have this conversation. 197 00:09:52,710 --> 00:09:55,890 Mary Wittenberg: Well, I have to start with lots to congratulate both of you 198 00:09:55,890 --> 00:09:59,429 Mary Wittenberg: on. Rob, that New York City Half, I now think 199 00:09:59,429 --> 00:10:02,850 Mary Wittenberg: it's the prettiest urban marathon in the world and so 200 00:10:02,850 --> 00:10:05,010 Mary Wittenberg: much great energy and vibes, so well done to you. And Becs, 201 00:10:06,809 --> 00:10:11,459 Mary Wittenberg: winning outright your first trail run in ages is really remarkable. 202 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:11,761 Becs Gentry: Thank you. 203 00:10:11,761 --> 00:10:13,110 Mary Wittenberg: So you guys are crushing it. 204 00:10:14,250 --> 00:10:17,219 Becs Gentry: Yeah, we're just a dream team over here getting things done. 205 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:19,679 Rob Simmelkjaer: I'll let her do the running. Yeah, she does the 206 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:20,191 Rob Simmelkjaer: running, I'll do the other stuff. 207 00:10:20,191 --> 00:10:20,192 Becs Gentry: I'll do the running. You do the running of the show. There we are. 208 00:10:20,192 --> 00:10:20,370 Mary Wittenberg: Yeah. Well, you're pretty good at that too. 209 00:10:20,370 --> 00:10:27,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: That works fine. That works just fine for me. Absolutely. By 210 00:10:27,750 --> 00:10:32,309 Rob Simmelkjaer: the way, Mary, congratulations on being inducted into the Running USA Hall of Fame. 211 00:10:32,340 --> 00:10:33,449 Becs Gentry: Hall of Fame. 212 00:10:33,450 --> 00:10:37,319 Rob Simmelkjaer: A very exciting honor for you and well deserved for 213 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:40,440 Rob Simmelkjaer: someone who's lived their life, a lot of their life 214 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:42,720 Rob Simmelkjaer: in this sport, in this space. What did it mean 215 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: for you to be honored at Running USA, which for 216 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:48,990 Rob Simmelkjaer: those who don't know is kind of the industry trade 217 00:10:48,990 --> 00:10:52,260 Rob Simmelkjaer: group of the running industry? And Mary was honored there just 218 00:10:52,650 --> 00:10:53,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: recently last month. 219 00:10:54,420 --> 00:10:59,460 Mary Wittenberg: Well, thanks so much. I've got to say, I was super 220 00:10:59,460 --> 00:11:03,360 Mary Wittenberg: honored to receive that award on behalf of so many 221 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:05,910 Mary Wittenberg: New York Road Runner members and teammates over the years 222 00:11:05,910 --> 00:11:08,490 Mary Wittenberg: because that's how we accept these awards. They're not about 223 00:11:08,490 --> 00:11:11,790 Mary Wittenberg: us as individuals, but about the teams we've worked with 224 00:11:12,330 --> 00:11:16,110 Mary Wittenberg: over the years. So, that meant a lot. What was 225 00:11:16,110 --> 00:11:21,150 Mary Wittenberg: extraordinary and makes me well up is Ted, our dear 226 00:11:21,150 --> 00:11:26,189 Mary Wittenberg: Ted Metellus, flew in to present this award. And I've 227 00:11:26,190 --> 00:11:30,510 Mary Wittenberg: got to say, I learned something. If I ever present 228 00:11:30,510 --> 00:11:33,179 Mary Wittenberg: someone else with an award, I'm going to go back 229 00:11:33,179 --> 00:11:36,719 Mary Wittenberg: to what Ted did. Guys, he was ... I didn't even 230 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:40,380 Mary Wittenberg: know all that about my life. First, he's so busy 231 00:11:40,380 --> 00:11:42,510 Mary Wittenberg: as it is. He made the time to come in 232 00:11:43,050 --> 00:11:48,240 Mary Wittenberg: and then was so thoughtful. It meant so much to 233 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:50,550 Mary Wittenberg: me. So, of course, a big thanks to Running USA 234 00:11:50,550 --> 00:11:54,059 Mary Wittenberg: and for recognizing us as an organization and me as 235 00:11:54,059 --> 00:11:57,360 Mary Wittenberg: a leader within our team, but to have Ted do 236 00:11:57,360 --> 00:11:59,699 Mary Wittenberg: that just meant so much and reminds us what this 237 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:02,400 Mary Wittenberg: is all about. When we get to put on these 238 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:07,350 Mary Wittenberg: events together and help build community in running, it's the same 239 00:12:07,350 --> 00:12:10,829 Mary Wittenberg: for us. It's about the people. And I was able 240 00:12:10,830 --> 00:12:12,720 Mary Wittenberg: to work with Ted in his earliest days in the 241 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:15,870 Mary Wittenberg: 2000s, actually, early 2000s, and we always wanted to recruit 242 00:12:15,870 --> 00:12:19,020 Mary Wittenberg: him back and to see him. And Rob, you leading 243 00:12:19,020 --> 00:12:22,110 Mary Wittenberg: the way with your incredible team just means so much. 244 00:12:22,110 --> 00:12:24,480 Mary Wittenberg: I'm so cheering all of you on. And to have him 245 00:12:24,540 --> 00:12:28,199 Mary Wittenberg: make the time to be there and make the real 246 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:32,280 Mary Wittenberg: effort as he did just meant so much. So, thank you. 247 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:32,338 Rob Simmelkjaer: Aw. 248 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:36,120 Becs Gentry: Well, well deserved. You're an icon. You have been for a long 249 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,300 Becs Gentry: time. You continue to be inspiring to all of us. 250 00:12:39,300 --> 00:12:44,070 Becs Gentry: And yes, Ted has a way with knowledge and words. 251 00:12:44,130 --> 00:12:47,429 Becs Gentry: The way he expresses his knowledge of, whether it's actual 252 00:12:47,429 --> 00:12:51,809 Becs Gentry: history of the sport or people, is such a skill. 253 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,450 Becs Gentry: It's not many people can do it the way Ted 254 00:12:54,450 --> 00:12:57,959 Becs Gentry: Metellus does. It really is incredible. So, I want to 255 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:00,150 Becs Gentry: watch that back. If we can find that anywhere, please 256 00:13:00,150 --> 00:13:02,069 Becs Gentry: can someone send that my way so I can have a 257 00:13:02,070 --> 00:13:06,630 Becs Gentry: good cry? All right. Mary, let's roll it back, back, 258 00:13:06,630 --> 00:13:10,170 Becs Gentry: back, back to when you first came to New York 259 00:13:10,170 --> 00:13:13,050 Becs Gentry: City and when you first joined the New York Road 260 00:13:13,050 --> 00:13:16,800 Becs Gentry: Runners club team. What was the running scene like back then? 261 00:13:17,580 --> 00:13:20,610 Mary Wittenberg: It's wild to think back. First, I'll tell you what 262 00:13:20,610 --> 00:13:23,309 Mary Wittenberg: we had at New York Road Runners because of Ted 263 00:13:24,360 --> 00:13:27,780 Mary Wittenberg: Corbitt and Fred and Kathrine Switzer and all those, Nina 264 00:13:27,780 --> 00:13:30,480 Mary Wittenberg: Kuscsik who came before us. We already had the five- 265 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:33,600 Mary Wittenberg: borough marathon on so much of the course that's the 266 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:37,230 Mary Wittenberg: same, including the Verrazzano. We already had a half- marathon in 267 00:13:37,290 --> 00:13:41,069 Mary Wittenberg: every borough. There was 1,000 or 2, 000 people in it, but we 268 00:13:41,340 --> 00:13:43,950 Mary Wittenberg: had some degree of a half. We already had the 269 00:13:43,950 --> 00:13:46,980 Mary Wittenberg: Pride Run. We already had the Mini. So we had 270 00:13:46,980 --> 00:13:50,370 Mary Wittenberg: this incredible foundation as an organization, but we also had, 271 00:13:50,370 --> 00:13:52,800 Mary Wittenberg: as Rob's heard me say, it was a bit of 272 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,620 Mary Wittenberg: an organization in mourning in the late '90s because Fred 273 00:13:55,620 --> 00:14:00,540 Mary Wittenberg: had just passed away. And the running scene was very 274 00:14:00,540 --> 00:14:05,189 Mary Wittenberg: different. I remember being struck by how the top runners were 275 00:14:05,309 --> 00:14:09,600 Mary Wittenberg: in their 40s. Really interesting, right? Where were the 20- year- 276 00:14:09,600 --> 00:14:14,790 Mary Wittenberg: olds? And definitely Fred had brought in the concept of 277 00:14:14,790 --> 00:14:17,520 Mary Wittenberg: all paces and a race for every pace. But I've 278 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:21,810 Mary Wittenberg: got to say, everything felt like a race. So a 279 00:14:21,810 --> 00:14:24,720 Mary Wittenberg: race is a different level of appeal than a run 280 00:14:25,140 --> 00:14:28,920 Mary Wittenberg: and an event, and the chance to really build these 281 00:14:28,920 --> 00:14:31,140 Mary Wittenberg: as events was so clear. And again, it was always 282 00:14:31,140 --> 00:14:34,740 Mary Wittenberg: early days. So many ideas I thought, " Oh, we thought 283 00:14:34,740 --> 00:14:36,360 Mary Wittenberg: of this idea." I look back, I'm like, " Well, Fred 284 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:38,430 Mary Wittenberg: was already ... Someone else was already talking about it, the 285 00:14:38,430 --> 00:14:42,270 Mary Wittenberg: generations before." But it was clear that, one, we had 286 00:14:42,270 --> 00:14:46,140 Mary Wittenberg: to elevate the logistics and the basics of races again, 287 00:14:46,140 --> 00:14:49,140 Mary Wittenberg: and then really the opportunity was to make them more 288 00:14:49,140 --> 00:14:51,930 Mary Wittenberg: events. So we had about 1, 000 people, which again was 289 00:14:52,020 --> 00:14:54,390 Mary Wittenberg: big relative to some other events in most of the 290 00:14:54,390 --> 00:14:57,960 Mary Wittenberg: weekly races. Again, I think it was close to 2, 000 291 00:14:58,050 --> 00:15:02,220 Mary Wittenberg: in the borough halves. They used to all be halves 292 00:15:02,220 --> 00:15:05,340 Mary Wittenberg: at the time too, actually. Know how we have the 293 00:15:05,340 --> 00:15:07,770 Mary Wittenberg: Queens 10K now and the Bronx 10- miler and the New 294 00:15:07,770 --> 00:15:11,400 Mary Wittenberg: York City Half. We had one charity at the New 295 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:15,570 Mary Wittenberg: York City Marathon, Fred's team. Obviously, Memorial Sloan Kettering, we 296 00:15:15,570 --> 00:15:20,790 Mary Wittenberg: had five kids in a running program. We had a lot 297 00:15:20,790 --> 00:15:24,690 Mary Wittenberg: of energy and sort of so much opportunity in front 298 00:15:24,690 --> 00:15:28,410 Mary Wittenberg: of us. Much more male, not nearly as diverse, and 299 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:31,140 Mary Wittenberg: kind of more of a serious feel, even though we 300 00:15:31,140 --> 00:15:35,160 Mary Wittenberg: had the sense of a race for every pace. So 301 00:15:35,490 --> 00:15:38,280 Mary Wittenberg: there was a lot of opportunity, and when times are 302 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:42,120 Mary Wittenberg: tough ... And New York had kind of fallen behind Chicago 303 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:45,060 Mary Wittenberg: and London at the time with the marathon when my 304 00:15:45,060 --> 00:15:47,790 Mary Wittenberg: first marathon, two weeks in, the head of J. P. 305 00:15:47,790 --> 00:15:50,070 Mary Wittenberg: Morgan Chase Marketing grabbed me by the wrist and said, " 306 00:15:50,070 --> 00:15:52,260 Mary Wittenberg: Get to London and Chicago because you guys are falling 307 00:15:52,260 --> 00:15:54,810 Mary Wittenberg: behind. And by the way, we're leaving as your primary 308 00:15:54,810 --> 00:15:59,040 Mary Wittenberg: sponsor." So what's good about joining at moments like that 309 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:04,590 Mary Wittenberg: is people were aligned with, " We need to find a 310 00:16:04,590 --> 00:16:06,870 Mary Wittenberg: way to get more people running and we need to 311 00:16:06,870 --> 00:16:09,990 Mary Wittenberg: elevate our game a bit." So we were very lucky 312 00:16:09,990 --> 00:16:15,390 Mary Wittenberg: as a generation to try to build American distance running 313 00:16:15,390 --> 00:16:18,330 Mary Wittenberg: back, to really ... Rock 'n' Roll had already started the 314 00:16:18,330 --> 00:16:22,470 Mary Wittenberg: charity programs, so that opportunity was becoming clear. London had 315 00:16:22,470 --> 00:16:27,180 Mary Wittenberg: already been doing the same through their marathon. So you 316 00:16:27,180 --> 00:16:30,630 Mary Wittenberg: could see what wasn't there, and so we had a lot 317 00:16:30,630 --> 00:16:33,720 Mary Wittenberg: of opportunity to just try to get more people moving 318 00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:35,490 Mary Wittenberg: and get our team excited about it again. 319 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:40,740 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. Mary, we mentioned your personal running history and your 320 00:16:40,740 --> 00:16:44,880 Rob Simmelkjaer: win back in that Marine Corps Marathon in 1987. Did 321 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:48,600 Rob Simmelkjaer: you think of yourself as an elite runner? Where was 322 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:51,840 Rob Simmelkjaer: your mindset in terms of your own running in that 323 00:16:52,050 --> 00:16:55,950 Rob Simmelkjaer: late '80s and '90s? How focused were you on your own results 324 00:16:56,280 --> 00:17:00,420 Rob Simmelkjaer: versus where you end up going, which is a leader 325 00:17:00,420 --> 00:17:01,050 Rob Simmelkjaer: in the industry? 326 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:03,990 Mary Wittenberg: Not at all on my own running, and I'll tell 327 00:17:03,990 --> 00:17:05,939 Mary Wittenberg: you why. I grew up in Buffalo, New York, the 328 00:17:05,940 --> 00:17:09,540 Mary Wittenberg: oldest of seven. Sports was huge in my life and sports 329 00:17:09,540 --> 00:17:12,060 Mary Wittenberg: made a real difference. So I always wanted to work 330 00:17:12,060 --> 00:17:14,100 Mary Wittenberg: in sports and I always wanted to be part of 331 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:17,190 Mary Wittenberg: sports, but I wasn't very good at most sports, like 332 00:17:17,190 --> 00:17:19,410 Mary Wittenberg: basketball and softball and others. So I actually was a 333 00:17:19,410 --> 00:17:23,730 Mary Wittenberg: rower and that's how I found something I was better 334 00:17:23,730 --> 00:17:28,560 Mary Wittenberg: at, in addition to cheerleading and gymnastics. So I did 335 00:17:28,560 --> 00:17:30,060 Mary Wittenberg: not think of myself as a runner, and I'll tell 336 00:17:30,060 --> 00:17:32,190 Mary Wittenberg: you why. I got to law school and I was 337 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:36,899 Mary Wittenberg: 22, I had just turned 23, and I was finding I 338 00:17:36,900 --> 00:17:39,030 Mary Wittenberg: loved distance running and I ran with the men's team at 339 00:17:39,030 --> 00:17:43,170 Mary Wittenberg: Notre Dame. And here's one of my very first race 340 00:17:43,170 --> 00:17:47,909 Mary Wittenberg: experiences 40 years ago, which is crazy. I was in 341 00:17:47,910 --> 00:17:51,750 Mary Wittenberg: South Bend, Indiana, I just turned 23, as I said. I 342 00:17:51,750 --> 00:17:53,909 Mary Wittenberg: went down the road. I'd never run more than 13 343 00:17:53,910 --> 00:17:56,700 Mary Wittenberg: miles, and I ran the Chicago Marathon because I was like, " 344 00:17:56,700 --> 00:17:58,530 Mary Wittenberg: I'm going to be a lawyer. I should just go 345 00:17:58,530 --> 00:18:01,199 Mary Wittenberg: do this." And again, I was running with the men 346 00:18:01,230 --> 00:18:04,020 Mary Wittenberg: at Notre Dame so I was running hard, the short distances, 347 00:18:04,710 --> 00:18:06,900 Mary Wittenberg: and I'm in this race. And you know when you come 348 00:18:06,900 --> 00:18:09,689 Mary Wittenberg: from other sports, you try to win. You try to 349 00:18:09,900 --> 00:18:13,709 Mary Wittenberg: win, right? So I'm in this race and I love- 350 00:18:13,710 --> 00:18:14,820 Rob Simmelkjaer: What year was this, Mary? 351 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:16,800 Mary Wittenberg: Chicago, 1985. 352 00:18:16,830 --> 00:18:18,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: Okay. God, two years before you won Marine Corps. 353 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:19,921 Mary Wittenberg: Wait, wait. I'm sorry. Yeah, Chicago 1985. 354 00:18:19,921 --> 00:18:20,369 Rob Simmelkjaer: Okay, okay. 355 00:18:20,369 --> 00:18:25,260 Mary Wittenberg: And I'll tell you why I was recently reminded of all 356 00:18:25,260 --> 00:18:28,020 Mary Wittenberg: this. So I'm in the race and I come in 16th 357 00:18:28,020 --> 00:18:31,500 Mary Wittenberg: place, like, " 16th place?" But that didn't feel like ... I'm like, " 358 00:18:31,500 --> 00:18:33,510 Mary Wittenberg: 16th place?" I didn't think I was going to win 359 00:18:33,510 --> 00:18:36,480 Mary Wittenberg: or anything, but I didn't think I was so great. 360 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:38,850 Mary Wittenberg: Well, it ends up that was one of the greatest 361 00:18:38,850 --> 00:18:44,310 Mary Wittenberg: women's fields ever assembled anywhere. Joni, Joan Benoit Samuelson, American 362 00:18:44,310 --> 00:18:49,050 Mary Wittenberg: record 2: 21:21, Rosa Mota, Ingrid Kristiansen, the big three 363 00:18:49,050 --> 00:18:50,909 Mary Wittenberg: in the sport. And it was this moment when the 364 00:18:50,910 --> 00:18:53,670 Mary Wittenberg: Chicago Marathon was at an incredible high. They had a huge 365 00:18:53,670 --> 00:18:56,010 Mary Wittenberg: sponsor in Beatrice. So it was one of the best 366 00:18:56,010 --> 00:19:00,060 Mary Wittenberg: fields ever, but I was like, " I'm 25 minutes behind." 367 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:03,000 Mary Wittenberg: I ran 2: 40- something. " I'm 25 minutes behind Joan 368 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:06,510 Mary Wittenberg: Benoit Samuelson." So I wasn't thinking. I thought, " This is 369 00:19:06,510 --> 00:19:09,300 Mary Wittenberg: cool." What was very cool is I would've qualified for 370 00:19:09,300 --> 00:19:12,898 Mary Wittenberg: Olympic Trials if it had been a qualifying window. So 371 00:19:13,740 --> 00:19:16,470 Mary Wittenberg: that became, " Oh, well, that would be kind of cool 372 00:19:16,470 --> 00:19:20,219 Mary Wittenberg: to do." And so that became the goal. But even it 373 00:19:20,220 --> 00:19:22,560 Mary Wittenberg: was never ... I'll tell you how I think it influenced 374 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:25,350 Mary Wittenberg: my time at Road Runners. It was never a thought 375 00:19:25,350 --> 00:19:28,320 Mary Wittenberg: that I would run full- time, that I would ... I 376 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,600 Mary Wittenberg: considered staying for a year and getting an MBA at 377 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:33,390 Mary Wittenberg: Notre Dame so that I could try to qualify for 378 00:19:33,390 --> 00:19:36,510 Mary Wittenberg: the trials, but I had school loans and it just 379 00:19:36,570 --> 00:19:41,490 Mary Wittenberg: wasn't something I thought of as really possible. So I 380 00:19:41,490 --> 00:19:44,429 Mary Wittenberg: didn't really think of myself as a big- time runner, 381 00:19:44,460 --> 00:19:49,500 Mary Wittenberg: but I absolutely loved it. And the Olympic Trials qualifier 382 00:19:49,500 --> 00:19:54,510 Mary Wittenberg: became a real opportunity for me and something that I 383 00:19:54,510 --> 00:19:57,150 Mary Wittenberg: thought would be kind of cool to do and meaningful. 384 00:19:57,630 --> 00:20:03,389 Mary Wittenberg: So that's where the more competitive side, that became my 385 00:20:03,390 --> 00:20:06,330 Mary Wittenberg: goal. But being in that race with Joni, it was 386 00:20:06,330 --> 00:20:08,310 Mary Wittenberg: like being in a different league. 387 00:20:08,340 --> 00:20:11,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah. I mean, you could easily see how, with a 388 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:14,130 Rob Simmelkjaer: result like that, if you had wanted it, you could 389 00:20:14,130 --> 00:20:15,929 Rob Simmelkjaer: have really focused on running and focused on- 390 00:20:15,930 --> 00:20:19,020 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Your whole trajectory could have changed. 391 00:20:20,609 --> 00:20:27,930 Mary Wittenberg: Well, I think what it's ended up doing is I'm 392 00:20:27,930 --> 00:20:32,910 Mary Wittenberg: always drawn to supporting athletes. And so in those years, 393 00:20:32,910 --> 00:20:36,060 Mary Wittenberg: American distance running wasn't really ... There were no more groups. 394 00:20:36,060 --> 00:20:38,129 Mary Wittenberg: And so Road Runners, we brought groups together. And I 395 00:20:38,130 --> 00:20:40,980 Mary Wittenberg: think so much of my passion around providing support around 396 00:20:40,980 --> 00:20:43,950 Mary Wittenberg: athletes is I always did have this inner, " Oh, wouldn't 397 00:20:43,950 --> 00:20:45,750 Mary Wittenberg: it be amazing to have a coach?" And I was lucky 398 00:20:45,750 --> 00:20:48,330 Mary Wittenberg: to have my Notre Dame coach for the men's team, but 399 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:51,330 Mary Wittenberg: it's not like I had a coach when I graduated law school. 400 00:20:51,660 --> 00:20:56,820 Mary Wittenberg: And there wasn't a lot of support around it. So 401 00:20:56,850 --> 00:20:59,640 Mary Wittenberg: even when we hosted the trials, and everything we've ever 402 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:03,810 Mary Wittenberg: done, and you guys are doing great stuff, now I 403 00:21:03,810 --> 00:21:05,879 Mary Wittenberg: do think you have to put support on athletes. I 404 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:10,139 Mary Wittenberg: don't think I was ever going to be in the 405 00:21:10,140 --> 00:21:12,750 Mary Wittenberg: very top of the American group, but I certainly would've 406 00:21:12,750 --> 00:21:16,080 Mary Wittenberg: been better. And also, certainly I look back and we 407 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:19,080 Mary Wittenberg: know a lot more now about lifting and I was always hurt. 408 00:21:19,140 --> 00:21:22,619 Mary Wittenberg: I wasn't eating right. I wasn't doing anything but running. 409 00:21:22,619 --> 00:21:25,980 Mary Wittenberg: So all of which makes me want to pour back 410 00:21:25,980 --> 00:21:30,210 Mary Wittenberg: into other people when we want to help them know 411 00:21:30,210 --> 00:21:33,090 Mary Wittenberg: everything and be as supported as possible in their running. 412 00:21:33,600 --> 00:21:36,600 Becs Gentry: Which is incredible what you've been doing ever since then. 413 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:38,609 Becs Gentry: But talk to us a little bit about then that 414 00:21:38,609 --> 00:21:44,550 Becs Gentry: two years in between doing that 1985 Chicago Marathon, being 415 00:21:44,550 --> 00:21:48,300 Becs Gentry: on that cusp. Because you say, if the greats of 416 00:21:48,300 --> 00:21:50,970 Becs Gentry: the time hadn't run, you would've been very, very high 417 00:21:50,970 --> 00:21:53,580 Becs Gentry: up in the ... There was a lot of what-ifs or what- could- 418 00:21:53,580 --> 00:21:58,020 Becs Gentry: have-beens that had happened. Then what happened in that time between 419 00:21:58,170 --> 00:22:03,900 Becs Gentry: Chicago '85 and Marine Corps '87? What was your thought process 420 00:22:03,900 --> 00:22:06,780 Becs Gentry: and how did you feel going into that run? 421 00:22:07,410 --> 00:22:10,409 Mary Wittenberg: I am so humbled. I'm a little embarrassed, guys, having 422 00:22:10,410 --> 00:22:13,830 Mary Wittenberg: me talk about serious running with both of you. But 423 00:22:14,550 --> 00:22:16,920 Mary Wittenberg: at the time when I was at Notre Dame, because 424 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:18,900 Mary Wittenberg: I was running with the men's team, I never ran more 425 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:22,889 Mary Wittenberg: than 40, 45 miles, but everything was hard. I could hardly 426 00:22:22,890 --> 00:22:26,490 Mary Wittenberg: breathe all the time. So that led me to a 2:46: 00. 427 00:22:26,490 --> 00:22:29,010 Mary Wittenberg: When I had graduated, I went to Richmond to work 428 00:22:29,010 --> 00:22:31,320 Mary Wittenberg: in a big law firm and I was running a 429 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:33,000 Mary Wittenberg: lot more on my own and with the local running 430 00:22:33,000 --> 00:22:36,060 Mary Wittenberg: community, which was amazing. So as an aside, watching Keira 431 00:22:36,060 --> 00:22:38,880 Mary Wittenberg: D'Amato come out of Richmond has been very fun because 432 00:22:38,970 --> 00:22:41,400 Mary Wittenberg: it was a very similar experience to mine, except she 433 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:43,560 Mary Wittenberg: was a lot faster. But then I went the other 434 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:46,290 Mary Wittenberg: way and I started running a lot, like 90 miles a 435 00:22:46,290 --> 00:22:48,960 Mary Wittenberg: week, 100 miles a week, 70 miles was low week. 436 00:22:49,710 --> 00:22:53,219 Mary Wittenberg: And of course, that netted my mainly getting hurt, but 437 00:22:53,220 --> 00:22:56,070 Mary Wittenberg: I ran 2: 44:00. And when I went to Marine Corps, 438 00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:58,560 Mary Wittenberg: I went to Marine Corps because I really wanted to 439 00:22:58,560 --> 00:23:02,880 Mary Wittenberg: try to qualify for the trials. I was a first- year associate. My boss let 440 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:05,490 Mary Wittenberg: me ... I left every day at 3: 30 to run 441 00:23:05,490 --> 00:23:08,369 Mary Wittenberg: with the Richmond Cross Country team at University of Richmond. 442 00:23:08,369 --> 00:23:10,500 Mary Wittenberg: And then I went back to work, of course, stupidly till 11: 443 00:23:10,710 --> 00:23:12,510 Mary Wittenberg: 00 PM because I wanted to be a good first- 444 00:23:12,510 --> 00:23:14,399 Mary Wittenberg: year associate. And I look back, again, that's where I 445 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:17,190 Mary Wittenberg: advise other people. If we're lucky, we get a long 446 00:23:17,190 --> 00:23:18,450 Mary Wittenberg: life. You don't have to do it all at once, 447 00:23:18,450 --> 00:23:22,379 Mary Wittenberg: but I didn't want to be any different than any 448 00:23:22,380 --> 00:23:27,270 Mary Wittenberg: other first- year associate, kind of silly. So I'd run, 449 00:23:28,140 --> 00:23:30,960 Mary Wittenberg: work, run again, and go back to work. And as 450 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:36,179 Mary Wittenberg: a first- year associate, it was also nice that I 451 00:23:36,180 --> 00:23:38,010 Mary Wittenberg: had something people would talk to me about other than 452 00:23:38,100 --> 00:23:43,080 Mary Wittenberg: legal cases and deals. So Marine Corps was the easy 453 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:44,760 Mary Wittenberg: event to do because I was in Richmond, so it 454 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:49,200 Mary Wittenberg: was 90 minutes away. And it was one of the greatest running experiences in 455 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:51,899 Mary Wittenberg: my life because I was only going out. It was 456 00:23:51,900 --> 00:23:54,990 Mary Wittenberg: my second marathon. My first marathon was amazing because I was 457 00:23:54,990 --> 00:23:57,510 Mary Wittenberg: only going out to do it and finished. My second 458 00:23:57,510 --> 00:24:00,030 Mary Wittenberg: marathon was amazing because I was just going to run 459 00:24:00,030 --> 00:24:03,180 Mary Wittenberg: a time that I had already run. I was trying to run 2: 460 00:24:03,180 --> 00:24:06,720 Mary Wittenberg: 46:00 because it was in the qualifying window. So both times I 461 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:09,510 Mary Wittenberg: had very positive experiences. I don't even think I broke 462 00:24:09,510 --> 00:24:11,609 Mary Wittenberg: a sweat. It was a cold, cool day, and I 463 00:24:11,609 --> 00:24:15,660 Mary Wittenberg: was running within myself. And there were three of us 464 00:24:15,660 --> 00:24:18,780 Mary Wittenberg: that qualified for the trials that day. And by going 465 00:24:18,780 --> 00:24:24,180 Mary Wittenberg: out so steadily, I gradually was reeling in this amazing first- 466 00:24:24,180 --> 00:24:28,200 Mary Wittenberg: time marathoner who had gone out really fast. And so 467 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:31,261 Mary Wittenberg: I ended up winning the thing and Bill Rodgers interviews me. 468 00:24:31,261 --> 00:24:31,262 Becs Gentry: Wow. 469 00:24:31,262 --> 00:24:34,020 Mary Wittenberg: And so all these fun things that years later comes 470 00:24:34,020 --> 00:24:38,188 Mary Wittenberg: back around, but I was really lucky. And again, it's 471 00:24:38,189 --> 00:24:41,280 Mary Wittenberg: not until you hit the harder moments in running that 472 00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:44,969 Mary Wittenberg: you really appreciate the really good days, but that was 473 00:24:44,970 --> 00:24:46,920 Mary Wittenberg: a really good day and really fun because my work 474 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:49,350 Mary Wittenberg: colleagues were all there and I got to qualify for 475 00:24:49,350 --> 00:24:51,420 Mary Wittenberg: the trials and it was cool. 476 00:24:51,420 --> 00:24:51,571 Becs Gentry: First I heard- 477 00:24:51,571 --> 00:24:54,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: I don't think I've ever asked you about that trials run, 478 00:24:54,750 --> 00:24:56,821 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mary. What was that like? Where was it? And how did it go? 479 00:24:56,821 --> 00:24:56,821 Mary Wittenberg: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. Well- 480 00:24:56,821 --> 00:24:59,040 Becs Gentry: Yeah, I was going to say, where was it? 481 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:00,240 Mary Wittenberg: Pittsburgh. 482 00:25:00,300 --> 00:25:00,510 Becs Gentry: Oh! Was it hilly? 483 00:25:01,170 --> 00:25:05,880 Mary Wittenberg: So here's what's crazy about ... Hilly. Here's what's crazy about 484 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:10,350 Mary Wittenberg: my generation. It took me years later to realize it 485 00:25:10,350 --> 00:25:11,580 Mary Wittenberg: was only the second women's trials. 486 00:25:11,581 --> 00:25:11,582 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 487 00:25:11,582 --> 00:25:14,609 Mary Wittenberg: I mean, that's crazy. But when you're in it, you don't 488 00:25:14,609 --> 00:25:17,220 Mary Wittenberg: know. Same with rowing. It was only three years into 489 00:25:17,220 --> 00:25:19,859 Mary Wittenberg: there being a women's rowing program. And I was a 490 00:25:19,859 --> 00:25:21,179 Mary Wittenberg: coxswain for the men's team. We didn't even have ... 491 00:25:21,180 --> 00:25:21,240 Becs Gentry: Wow. 492 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:25,859 Mary Wittenberg: But even when you were ... I was the generation that got to be in things, but 493 00:25:25,859 --> 00:25:28,740 Mary Wittenberg: you didn't realize just how close we were to not 494 00:25:28,740 --> 00:25:32,639 Mary Wittenberg: having the same opportunities. But at Pittsburgh, I was the 495 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:35,640 Mary Wittenberg: first official dropout. So I was interviewed on TV, my 496 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:38,880 Mary Wittenberg: first TV interview probably, other than probably Marine Corps, but 497 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,899 Mary Wittenberg: crying because I had had knee surgery in January. The 498 00:25:42,900 --> 00:25:45,840 Mary Wittenberg: trials were, I don't know, 110 days or something later. 499 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:48,209 Mary Wittenberg: And I, of course, again, I was young, so I 500 00:25:48,210 --> 00:25:51,600 Mary Wittenberg: wanted to be my best instead of just getting strong 501 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:53,490 Mary Wittenberg: enough to be there. So I really pushed it and 502 00:25:53,490 --> 00:25:56,699 Mary Wittenberg: I got hurt the weekend before with an L5 lower back 503 00:25:56,700 --> 00:25:59,730 Mary Wittenberg: disc issue. So I had to get a cortisone shot and get 504 00:25:59,730 --> 00:26:01,919 Mary Wittenberg: the waivers and all of that to be able to 505 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:04,859 Mary Wittenberg: do that, but I was hurt and dropped out at 506 00:26:04,859 --> 00:26:05,071 Mary Wittenberg: mile two. 507 00:26:05,071 --> 00:26:05,369 Becs Gentry: Oh, oh, oh. 508 00:26:06,990 --> 00:26:10,650 Mary Wittenberg: Oh, well. Again, all of which just fueled my passion 509 00:26:10,650 --> 00:26:11,971 Mary Wittenberg: to come back and help other people when they got their shot. 510 00:26:11,971 --> 00:26:19,140 Becs Gentry: Yeah. But also, alongside your law career, really being the start of 511 00:26:19,140 --> 00:26:22,020 Becs Gentry: your law career taking off and you're doing this too. 512 00:26:22,020 --> 00:26:26,460 Becs Gentry: So that's a massive point there of women still had 513 00:26:26,460 --> 00:26:29,040 Becs Gentry: to do everything. You say you were the second trials 514 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:33,090 Becs Gentry: and you weren't aware of the change really that had 515 00:26:33,090 --> 00:26:36,540 Becs Gentry: happened, but you were still doing everything. 516 00:26:37,290 --> 00:26:40,379 Mary Wittenberg: Yeah. And it's still where we learn about ourselves too. I'm 517 00:26:40,380 --> 00:26:43,230 Mary Wittenberg: someone who has to, I need to put boundaries on 518 00:26:43,230 --> 00:26:46,290 Mary Wittenberg: things because I'll go too hard. And that was a 519 00:26:46,290 --> 00:26:50,970 Mary Wittenberg: good example of learning, okay, maybe finishing would've been something 520 00:26:50,970 --> 00:26:53,369 Mary Wittenberg: to really be proud of. But at the same time, that's okay. 521 00:26:53,880 --> 00:26:56,939 Mary Wittenberg: I'm glad I went for it, but this is the 522 00:26:56,940 --> 00:27:02,250 Mary Wittenberg: beauty of getting lucky to have more years and life 523 00:27:02,250 --> 00:27:04,890 Mary Wittenberg: behind where you can look back and learn from all 524 00:27:04,890 --> 00:27:07,980 Mary Wittenberg: of it. So it was an extraordinary experience. I still think 525 00:27:08,760 --> 00:27:10,980 Mary Wittenberg: it had to make a difference in my New York 526 00:27:10,980 --> 00:27:13,800 Mary Wittenberg: Road Runner interview. This year I was at the Marine 527 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:18,090 Mary Wittenberg: Corps Marathon and this extraordinary woman won it and qualified 528 00:27:18,090 --> 00:27:20,430 Mary Wittenberg: for the trials. And I talked to her right after 529 00:27:20,430 --> 00:27:24,419 Mary Wittenberg: and she's a financial advisor. And I said, " Do you 530 00:27:24,420 --> 00:27:27,420 Mary Wittenberg: ever think about working with athletes?" She said, " Sometimes." And 531 00:27:27,420 --> 00:27:32,820 Mary Wittenberg: I'm thinking, " Wow, your life could change by qualifying in 532 00:27:32,820 --> 00:27:36,000 Mary Wittenberg: Olympic Trials and winning the Marine Corps Marathon just like 533 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:37,980 Mary Wittenberg: I did." And it might not happen today, it might be 534 00:27:37,980 --> 00:27:40,109 Mary Wittenberg: five years from now, but it's going to matter to 535 00:27:40,109 --> 00:27:42,929 Mary Wittenberg: an athlete that she wants to represent that, by the 536 00:27:42,930 --> 00:27:47,460 Mary Wittenberg: way, she had done this. So I still think, and so 537 00:27:47,460 --> 00:27:50,879 Mary Wittenberg: many athletes way, way, way, way, way better than me, 538 00:27:51,450 --> 00:27:52,980 Mary Wittenberg: never get to win, right? 539 00:27:52,980 --> 00:27:52,981 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mm-hmm. 540 00:27:52,981 --> 00:27:55,800 Mary Wittenberg: The best in the world often are second, third, fourth, fifth. 541 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:58,080 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. In this sport, yeah. No doubt. 542 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:00,149 Mary Wittenberg: They don't get to win. So I always feel very lucky 543 00:28:00,150 --> 00:28:02,580 Mary Wittenberg: for the experience of Marine Corps, and I bet it 544 00:28:02,580 --> 00:28:04,770 Mary Wittenberg: helped me when I was interviewing at New York Road Runners. 545 00:28:04,800 --> 00:28:07,649 Rob Simmelkjaer: Yeah, yeah. So tell us about that first interview. What were 546 00:28:07,650 --> 00:28:10,920 Rob Simmelkjaer: you interviewing for in your first interview at New York 547 00:28:10,920 --> 00:28:11,490 Rob Simmelkjaer: Road Runners? 548 00:28:12,210 --> 00:28:15,359 Mary Wittenberg: It's wild to look back. I think it was director 549 00:28:15,359 --> 00:28:19,680 Mary Wittenberg: of administration. It was with the whole board. 550 00:28:20,490 --> 00:28:20,670 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wow. 551 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:23,310 Mary Wittenberg: It was a lot of people right from the beginning. 552 00:28:23,340 --> 00:28:28,260 Mary Wittenberg: And Allan, the greatest opportunity working with Allan Steinfeld was 553 00:28:28,350 --> 00:28:34,500 Mary Wittenberg: amazing because Allan was desperate for a partner. And he 554 00:28:34,500 --> 00:28:38,190 Mary Wittenberg: was trying to do Fred's external job, his rocket science logistics 555 00:28:38,190 --> 00:28:42,720 Mary Wittenberg: job and be both, and he needed a partner. And 556 00:28:44,250 --> 00:28:45,810 Mary Wittenberg: I walked in the door and I walked in the 557 00:28:45,810 --> 00:28:48,300 Mary Wittenberg: interview, I'm sure they were interviewing a lot of other people, 558 00:28:49,020 --> 00:28:52,080 Mary Wittenberg: and I just had a connection with Allan and could 559 00:28:52,080 --> 00:28:56,640 Mary Wittenberg: see that we'd be highly complimentary to each other. And 560 00:28:56,880 --> 00:29:00,690 Mary Wittenberg: I interviewed with the board. But Rob, I had never 561 00:29:00,690 --> 00:29:03,720 Mary Wittenberg: run a P& L. I was doing corporate deals, so 562 00:29:03,720 --> 00:29:08,250 Mary Wittenberg: I had high- level business experience through, but I didn't 563 00:29:08,730 --> 00:29:12,720 Mary Wittenberg: know about a P& L. I certainly didn't ... I had 564 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:16,980 Mary Wittenberg: done some sponsorship deals as a lawyer, but I look 565 00:29:16,980 --> 00:29:19,860 Mary Wittenberg: back and I think, " Oof, they took a risk hiring me," 566 00:29:20,130 --> 00:29:23,370 Mary Wittenberg: but a lot of passion around running. And especially when 567 00:29:23,370 --> 00:29:26,670 Mary Wittenberg: we had to elevate the event side, it is incredible 568 00:29:26,940 --> 00:29:31,620 Mary Wittenberg: how much being a participant really matters in the jobs 569 00:29:31,710 --> 00:29:35,160 Mary Wittenberg: we do because you really know what people- 570 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:38,190 Rob Simmelkjaer: You get it. You get what runners are going through, what a 571 00:29:38,190 --> 00:29:42,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: day of a runner is like and where the stress points are and what 572 00:29:42,870 --> 00:29:45,391 Rob Simmelkjaer: the needs are. And it is really important to that. 573 00:29:45,391 --> 00:29:45,392 Becs Gentry: Yeah, the whole process. 574 00:29:45,392 --> 00:29:49,680 Rob Simmelkjaer: So I'm sure that gave you a pretty significant advantage, 575 00:29:49,680 --> 00:29:54,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: your running history. And so you were doing that. And 576 00:29:54,120 --> 00:29:55,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: tell me about your early days at Road Runner, as 577 00:29:55,980 --> 00:29:58,800 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're working, of course, up at the townhouse up on 578 00:29:58,800 --> 00:30:03,390 Rob Simmelkjaer: East 89th Street, which I wish I could have experienced. 579 00:30:03,390 --> 00:30:05,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: I picked up a couple of bibs there back in 580 00:30:05,010 --> 00:30:06,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: the day, but I never had a chance to really 581 00:30:06,900 --> 00:30:10,891 Rob Simmelkjaer: go and see what it was like working there. 582 00:30:10,891 --> 00:30:10,892 Becs Gentry: I know. It sounds so cool. 583 00:30:10,892 --> 00:30:14,070 Mary Wittenberg: So it was a huge leap. I had been in my law firm. 584 00:30:14,070 --> 00:30:17,940 Mary Wittenberg: I actually had made partner. I was in Park Avenue 585 00:30:17,940 --> 00:30:19,290 Mary Wittenberg: at the MetLife Building in this- 586 00:30:19,290 --> 00:30:19,380 Becs Gentry: Oh, gosh. 587 00:30:20,190 --> 00:30:22,350 Mary Wittenberg: And again, I grew up very modestly, but here we 588 00:30:22,350 --> 00:30:25,229 Mary Wittenberg: were, Oriental rugs, seeing this whole big law firm scene. 589 00:30:25,380 --> 00:30:27,510 Mary Wittenberg: And I was so ready for Road Runners. I thought 590 00:30:27,510 --> 00:30:29,700 Mary Wittenberg: I'd work at another sports league or otherwise. I didn't even 591 00:30:29,700 --> 00:30:31,770 Mary Wittenberg: know there were jobs for running, so I was so 592 00:30:31,830 --> 00:30:35,580 Mary Wittenberg: excited about this. And I walk into the building one 593 00:30:35,580 --> 00:30:37,920 Mary Wittenberg: day and there was this pushing everyone out of the 594 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:39,480 Mary Wittenberg: building. It was too busy. We had to get the 595 00:30:39,480 --> 00:30:43,620 Mary Wittenberg: runners out of the building and the brown rug was 596 00:30:43,980 --> 00:30:50,160 Mary Wittenberg: all sort of wet and moldy. And all that, I was like, " Okay, 597 00:30:50,520 --> 00:30:53,760 Mary Wittenberg: I'm ready to ... Okay, we're going to welcome the runners. 598 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:55,590 Mary Wittenberg: We're going to make this great." And then what I 599 00:30:55,590 --> 00:30:58,140 Mary Wittenberg: didn't realize is there was some real internal conflict that 600 00:30:58,140 --> 00:31:01,590 Mary Wittenberg: I was not used to. And it became clear part 601 00:31:01,590 --> 00:31:06,270 Mary Wittenberg: of my job was going to be settle tempers, help 602 00:31:06,270 --> 00:31:10,650 Mary Wittenberg: everyone get along. And it was only one weekend for 603 00:31:10,650 --> 00:31:13,800 Mary Wittenberg: one night that I thought, " Whoa, what have I gotten 604 00:31:13,800 --> 00:31:17,310 Mary Wittenberg: myself into?" And I never looked back after that because 605 00:31:18,090 --> 00:31:19,920 Mary Wittenberg: it was fun to bring people together and help get 606 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:23,340 Mary Wittenberg: people aligned and help see the best in everybody where 607 00:31:23,340 --> 00:31:27,420 Mary Wittenberg: there was a fair amount of stress and intentions that 608 00:31:27,420 --> 00:31:31,140 Mary Wittenberg: are always natural between sponsorship and the event team, but 609 00:31:31,140 --> 00:31:33,930 Mary Wittenberg: I love working through it all. But I never looked 610 00:31:33,930 --> 00:31:35,790 Mary Wittenberg: back, but I've got to say for a minute there ... 611 00:31:35,790 --> 00:31:40,709 Mary Wittenberg: And of course, pay cut, the whole thing. It was 612 00:31:40,710 --> 00:31:44,610 Mary Wittenberg: a big, big change, but I had one moment of saying, " 613 00:31:44,610 --> 00:31:46,350 Mary Wittenberg: What did I do?" And ever since, it was the 614 00:31:46,350 --> 00:31:48,900 Mary Wittenberg: greatest decision of my life, other than marrying Derek. 615 00:31:48,960 --> 00:31:48,961 Becs Gentry: Aw. He's a legend too. 616 00:31:48,961 --> 00:31:51,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: Aw, love that. Hi, Derek. 617 00:31:53,820 --> 00:31:58,080 Becs Gentry: I have to ask though, Mary, what was your driver 618 00:31:58,980 --> 00:32:03,390 Becs Gentry: to leave? The traditional sense, you'd made partner as a 619 00:32:03,390 --> 00:32:06,690 Becs Gentry: lawyer. You'd gotten to a really, really high caliber in 620 00:32:06,690 --> 00:32:11,280 Becs Gentry: a career that is very demanding. What made you want 621 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:15,090 Becs Gentry: to not just be a runner anymore, but change your 622 00:32:15,090 --> 00:32:18,810 Becs Gentry: career path to become a professional within the running world? 623 00:32:19,170 --> 00:32:22,140 Mary Wittenberg: I always wanted to work in sports and always had 624 00:32:22,140 --> 00:32:26,910 Mary Wittenberg: this missionary side. So I never intended to become a 625 00:32:26,910 --> 00:32:29,850 Mary Wittenberg: lawyer. I am not a lawyer by nature in any 626 00:32:29,880 --> 00:32:32,280 Mary Wittenberg: way, shape or form, but you know the risk of 627 00:32:32,280 --> 00:32:34,500 Mary Wittenberg: sometimes you get in a race that's not actually the 628 00:32:34,500 --> 00:32:36,270 Mary Wittenberg: race you want to win and you're in it and 629 00:32:36,270 --> 00:32:37,920 Mary Wittenberg: all of a sudden it's 10 years later. I'm like, " 630 00:32:37,920 --> 00:32:41,220 Mary Wittenberg: Whoa." They're shaking my hand the day I make partner. 631 00:32:41,580 --> 00:32:46,530 Mary Wittenberg: I'm having an existential crisis. Tears are streaming and everyone's saying, " 632 00:32:46,800 --> 00:32:48,810 Mary Wittenberg: Oh, she's so happy she made it." And I'm thinking, "No. 633 00:32:50,220 --> 00:32:54,660 Mary Wittenberg: No. What? This was not my goal. I want to 634 00:32:54,660 --> 00:32:55,500 Mary Wittenberg: work in sports." 635 00:32:55,500 --> 00:32:57,391 Rob Simmelkjaer: It's fascinating. It's fascinating listening to this. 636 00:32:57,391 --> 00:32:57,392 Becs Gentry: Wow. 637 00:32:57,392 --> 00:32:57,722 Mary Wittenberg: You felt this? 638 00:32:58,890 --> 00:33:00,901 Rob Simmelkjaer: Well, Mary, I mean, aside from the- 639 00:33:00,901 --> 00:33:00,902 Becs Gentry: A lot, yeah. 640 00:33:00,902 --> 00:33:04,860 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... elite running thing, and I was a baseball player, not 641 00:33:04,860 --> 00:33:08,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: a runner, but other than that, there's so many parallels 642 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:11,280 Rob Simmelkjaer: when I listen to you tell this story to my 643 00:33:11,280 --> 00:33:15,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: path. You know this. I went to law school. I 644 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:18,120 Rob Simmelkjaer: ran my first marathon just for fun, but around the 645 00:33:18,120 --> 00:33:20,700 Rob Simmelkjaer: time I was graduating law school. I also was at a 646 00:33:20,700 --> 00:33:23,550 Rob Simmelkjaer: big law firm. I also took a big pay cut 647 00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:26,790 Rob Simmelkjaer: to go work in sports. This was back when I 648 00:33:26,790 --> 00:33:31,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: went to ESPN in 2002, I guess is when I started. So 649 00:33:31,650 --> 00:33:36,210 Rob Simmelkjaer: all very similar things, differences obviously, but when you talk 650 00:33:36,240 --> 00:33:39,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: about always wanting to work in sports, wanting to do 651 00:33:39,030 --> 00:33:42,030 Rob Simmelkjaer: something that was more than just making money and the mission- 652 00:33:42,030 --> 00:33:43,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: aligned ... And I didn't go as far as you in 653 00:33:43,590 --> 00:33:45,900 Rob Simmelkjaer: the law. I didn't stick around and make partner because 654 00:33:46,230 --> 00:33:48,480 Rob Simmelkjaer: I used to always hear people who made partner tell 655 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:48,601 Rob Simmelkjaer: the joke. 656 00:33:48,601 --> 00:33:48,602 Mary Wittenberg: Smarter than me. 657 00:33:48,602 --> 00:33:52,320 Rob Simmelkjaer: There's a joke that lawyers tell about making partner at a 658 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:55,560 Rob Simmelkjaer: law firm, which is it's a pie eating contest, and 659 00:33:55,560 --> 00:33:59,460 Rob Simmelkjaer: the prize you get for winning is more pie, which 660 00:33:59,460 --> 00:34:01,081 Rob Simmelkjaer: is just more of the work- 661 00:34:01,081 --> 00:34:01,082 Becs Gentry: Oh, that's petrifying. 662 00:34:01,082 --> 00:34:01,083 Rob Simmelkjaer: ... that you just did. 663 00:34:01,083 --> 00:34:01,084 Becs Gentry: That's petrifying. 664 00:34:01,084 --> 00:34:01,085 Mary Wittenberg: Correct. 665 00:34:01,085 --> 00:34:07,380 Rob Simmelkjaer: You get to do a lot more of it, right? So I felt the same way about not wanting 666 00:34:07,380 --> 00:34:10,140 Rob Simmelkjaer: to have that moment of making partner. I got out 667 00:34:10,140 --> 00:34:13,500 Rob Simmelkjaer: of there earlier, but it's a very similar path, Mary, 668 00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:14,850 Rob Simmelkjaer: which is really interesting. 669 00:34:15,300 --> 00:34:19,590 Mary Wittenberg: I've always appreciated that our through line is passion, and 670 00:34:19,590 --> 00:34:22,830 Mary Wittenberg: from your story of seeing Boston and knowing what it 671 00:34:22,830 --> 00:34:26,940 Mary Wittenberg: means. And also, I think we can really appreciate what 672 00:34:26,940 --> 00:34:29,550 Mary Wittenberg: running means to us in our life when we don't 673 00:34:29,550 --> 00:34:32,520 Mary Wittenberg: get to do it as a job. So it makes 674 00:34:32,520 --> 00:34:35,430 Mary Wittenberg: us extra, extra appreciate it. And my now being back 675 00:34:35,430 --> 00:34:38,790 Mary Wittenberg: with Let's Do This, I have an even greater appreciation 676 00:34:38,790 --> 00:34:42,930 Mary Wittenberg: of what a truly unique space and opportunity because we're 677 00:34:42,930 --> 00:34:45,330 Mary Wittenberg: helping other people do what has made a difference to 678 00:34:45,330 --> 00:34:48,509 Mary Wittenberg: us. And the more people we can allow to do 679 00:34:48,540 --> 00:34:50,250 Mary Wittenberg: that, the better. So that was the moment that I 680 00:34:50,250 --> 00:34:52,110 Mary Wittenberg: committed. And you make partner, you kind of got to 681 00:34:52,110 --> 00:34:54,570 Mary Wittenberg: stay. And I had all these great people I loved 682 00:34:54,570 --> 00:34:57,120 Mary Wittenberg: that I worked with, but I knew I had to 683 00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,370 Mary Wittenberg: make a change. And again, if we're lucky, life is 684 00:34:59,370 --> 00:35:01,950 Mary Wittenberg: long enough to let us do these things. And it 685 00:35:01,950 --> 00:35:05,310 Mary Wittenberg: was the greatest privilege ever to get to make that 686 00:35:05,310 --> 00:35:08,820 Mary Wittenberg: move and work with our amazing running community- 687 00:35:08,910 --> 00:35:09,841 Becs Gentry: Yeah. Oh my gosh. 688 00:35:09,841 --> 00:35:11,911 Mary Wittenberg: ... and team at Road Runners. 689 00:35:11,910 --> 00:35:16,589 Becs Gentry: And you went on to make some really incredible changes. 690 00:35:16,590 --> 00:35:20,430 Becs Gentry: And selfishly, I do want to skew this conversation towards 691 00:35:20,430 --> 00:35:23,489 Becs Gentry: the changes you've made for women in the sport here. 692 00:35:24,060 --> 00:35:28,110 Becs Gentry: And you've already touched on how you were of a 693 00:35:28,920 --> 00:35:33,630 Becs Gentry: generation that you had to train with the boys essentially 694 00:35:34,050 --> 00:35:36,989 Becs Gentry: when you were running with the guys, when you were 695 00:35:36,989 --> 00:35:40,950 Becs Gentry: rowing with the guys, when you skipped out of work. And 696 00:35:40,950 --> 00:35:45,239 Becs Gentry: it was that ethos of training was you almost had 697 00:35:45,239 --> 00:35:48,570 Becs Gentry: to be one of the men back in the day 698 00:35:49,140 --> 00:35:52,830 Becs Gentry: in order to be that strong or to show up, 699 00:35:52,830 --> 00:35:55,530 Becs Gentry: and it's a different kind of grit. So do you 700 00:35:55,530 --> 00:36:00,839 Becs Gentry: think your experience of that as a younger woman led 701 00:36:00,840 --> 00:36:03,000 Becs Gentry: you to make some of these decisions that we're going 702 00:36:03,000 --> 00:36:06,239 Becs Gentry: to talk about shortly in your roles at New York 703 00:36:06,239 --> 00:36:06,960 Becs Gentry: Road Runners? 704 00:36:07,410 --> 00:36:13,410 Mary Wittenberg: Definitely. We had all the years of access, making sure 705 00:36:13,410 --> 00:36:15,270 Mary Wittenberg: women were getting access, and we still have a long 706 00:36:15,270 --> 00:36:20,400 Mary Wittenberg: way to go, especially on the work front. But we, 707 00:36:20,460 --> 00:36:22,950 Mary Wittenberg: although there is an extraordinary ... Rob, you have, as you 708 00:36:22,950 --> 00:36:26,129 Mary Wittenberg: know, you've built and you're part of an extraordinary team 709 00:36:26,130 --> 00:36:31,080 Mary Wittenberg: of women leaders at New York Road Runners. But especially 710 00:36:31,080 --> 00:36:33,930 Mary Wittenberg: for the athletes, and remember, and this is so meaningful 711 00:36:33,930 --> 00:36:37,860 Mary Wittenberg: that you were just in Kenya, Rob, especially in the 712 00:36:37,860 --> 00:36:41,100 Mary Wittenberg: late '90s, '94, it wasn't until Tegla Loroupe won the New 713 00:36:41,100 --> 00:36:44,759 Mary Wittenberg: York City Marathon as the first African woman to do so, and in 714 00:36:44,760 --> 00:36:47,040 Mary Wittenberg: the late ... And what we were so aware, I joined in 715 00:36:47,040 --> 00:36:52,080 Mary Wittenberg: the late '90s, '99, and in '98, Tegla had to do the wash 716 00:36:52,080 --> 00:36:56,250 Mary Wittenberg: of the men in the training camp. That was common. 717 00:36:56,580 --> 00:37:01,860 Mary Wittenberg: So we had to get access, then we had to 718 00:37:01,860 --> 00:37:04,440 Mary Wittenberg: get equity. By the time we're at that age, we're at 719 00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:07,860 Mary Wittenberg: that period, it's about equal prize money. And so we 720 00:37:07,860 --> 00:37:10,350 Mary Wittenberg: had equal prize money. It was not true. I couldn't 721 00:37:10,350 --> 00:37:12,480 Mary Wittenberg: believe it, but it wasn't true around the world. And 722 00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:14,370 Mary Wittenberg: of course, what took me a while to realize was 723 00:37:14,370 --> 00:37:17,489 Mary Wittenberg: golf, tennis, and running as the individual sports, the women 724 00:37:17,489 --> 00:37:19,860 Mary Wittenberg: were paid, in the US, we paid the women equally 725 00:37:19,860 --> 00:37:22,170 Mary Wittenberg: faster, so that was an advantage. But around the world, 726 00:37:22,170 --> 00:37:24,359 Mary Wittenberg: it was still not happening. And certainly in team sports, 727 00:37:24,750 --> 00:37:30,090 Mary Wittenberg: it wasn't happening. But after equity, it was about visibility. 728 00:37:30,450 --> 00:37:32,130 Mary Wittenberg: And we're still working on access, we're still working on 729 00:37:32,130 --> 00:37:35,609 Mary Wittenberg: equity, but visibility. And what was happening in our marathon 730 00:37:36,000 --> 00:37:41,520 Mary Wittenberg: is the women were buried within all the men running 731 00:37:41,520 --> 00:37:43,890 Mary Wittenberg: around them. And so you couldn't see them. And these are 732 00:37:43,950 --> 00:37:47,670 Mary Wittenberg: the greatest athletes in the world. So the specific, the 733 00:37:47,670 --> 00:37:49,830 Mary Wittenberg: idea of how the women ended up going first in 734 00:37:49,830 --> 00:37:55,170 Mary Wittenberg: the marathon was Lornah Kiplagat at a lunch said, " Hey, why don't 735 00:37:55,170 --> 00:37:56,910 Mary Wittenberg: we have the women go first?" I'm like, " Why don't 736 00:37:56,910 --> 00:37:59,370 Mary Wittenberg: we have the women go first?" And Allan, we walked 737 00:37:59,370 --> 00:38:01,230 Mary Wittenberg: over at lunch. You're still going to Bacco for lunch. 738 00:38:01,230 --> 00:38:03,629 Mary Wittenberg: We walked over and, " Allan, what do you think?" He's like, " 739 00:38:03,660 --> 00:38:06,510 Mary Wittenberg: Yeah." We're like, " Okay, let's do it." So it came, 740 00:38:06,510 --> 00:38:09,570 Mary Wittenberg: again, the best way many of these ideas do, that 741 00:38:09,570 --> 00:38:12,569 Mary Wittenberg: was from Lornah. And then our team saying, " Let's do it." 742 00:38:12,570 --> 00:38:15,390 Mary Wittenberg: And here's what I love most about this. It is 743 00:38:15,390 --> 00:38:17,190 Mary Wittenberg: way harder for the women to run the New York 744 00:38:17,190 --> 00:38:20,460 Mary Wittenberg: City Marathon out front than it was when they were 745 00:38:20,460 --> 00:38:24,630 Mary Wittenberg: tucked in because they were tucked in with effectively pacers 746 00:38:24,660 --> 00:38:27,570 Mary Wittenberg: all over. And so it was really all the women 747 00:38:27,570 --> 00:38:32,190 Mary Wittenberg: who said, " Hell yeah, we're in. Let's do this." And 748 00:38:32,190 --> 00:38:36,480 Mary Wittenberg: so it changed a lot in terms of how people 749 00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:40,320 Mary Wittenberg: even see the New York City Marathon. And the women 750 00:38:40,320 --> 00:38:42,510 Mary Wittenberg: have so often been, I'm just looking for my charger, 751 00:38:42,780 --> 00:38:48,330 Mary Wittenberg: the women have so often been the lead story in 752 00:38:48,330 --> 00:38:51,090 Mary Wittenberg: New York for many, many years, and I think that 753 00:38:51,090 --> 00:38:54,089 Mary Wittenberg: visibility was a big part. And again, building on the 754 00:38:54,090 --> 00:38:58,110 Mary Wittenberg: women before us with Nina and Kathrine and others who very 755 00:38:58,110 --> 00:39:01,739 Mary Wittenberg: much set a stage of in New York, women are 756 00:39:01,739 --> 00:39:04,950 Mary Wittenberg: going to be seen and celebrated. 757 00:39:05,219 --> 00:39:07,890 Rob Simmelkjaer: Was there a lot of pushback to that decision, Mary? 758 00:39:07,890 --> 00:39:14,340 Rob Simmelkjaer: I can imagine maybe broadcasters or sponsors or fans might ask, " 759 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:18,750 Rob Simmelkjaer: Wait, why are you starting the marathon with the women?" 760 00:39:19,440 --> 00:39:22,529 Rob Simmelkjaer: I could see how that conversation might've gone back in 2002. 761 00:39:23,370 --> 00:39:26,340 Mary Wittenberg: You can imagine there are a lot of conversations, including really 762 00:39:26,760 --> 00:39:30,510 Mary Wittenberg: starting in 2001, the wheelers, the pro wheelers. So starting 763 00:39:30,510 --> 00:39:33,000 Mary Wittenberg: the men and women pro wheelers upfront, then the women. 764 00:39:33,300 --> 00:39:36,750 Mary Wittenberg: So guess what? Yeah, the men were fourth in line. 765 00:39:36,750 --> 00:39:38,730 Mary Wittenberg: The pro men were fourth in line. We had pro 766 00:39:38,730 --> 00:39:41,160 Mary Wittenberg: men, pro men and pro women wheelers, then we had the 767 00:39:41,160 --> 00:39:44,400 Mary Wittenberg: women. And again, what was so cool about that is 768 00:39:44,430 --> 00:39:49,050 Mary Wittenberg: each of those, the wheelers start, the women start, they 769 00:39:49,050 --> 00:39:52,080 Mary Wittenberg: were celebrated on TV. So the big thing was, could 770 00:39:52,080 --> 00:39:54,630 Mary Wittenberg: we move the television windows earlier? And I got to 771 00:39:54,630 --> 00:39:57,989 Mary Wittenberg: say, at the time it was NBC, and you were probably 772 00:39:57,989 --> 00:39:59,520 Mary Wittenberg: there at the time, and they were great. 773 00:39:59,520 --> 00:40:00,541 Rob Simmelkjaer: Still ESPN at the time, but yes. 774 00:40:00,540 --> 00:40:02,581 Mary Wittenberg: You were probably in college, but- 775 00:40:02,581 --> 00:40:03,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: I was at ESPN, yep. 776 00:40:03,300 --> 00:40:06,660 Mary Wittenberg: Okay, ESPN. But NBC and ESPN have been great to us over the years. So as 777 00:40:06,660 --> 00:40:10,200 Mary Wittenberg: was PIX way, way, way back, but they actually were 778 00:40:10,200 --> 00:40:12,000 Mary Wittenberg: great about it. So we went earlier and then the 779 00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:15,270 Mary Wittenberg: logistics team, we had to move everything back and then 780 00:40:15,270 --> 00:40:20,370 Mary Wittenberg: eventually we added the waves. But no, I think people 781 00:40:20,370 --> 00:40:22,860 Mary Wittenberg: were really good about it, actually. We had more stress 782 00:40:22,860 --> 00:40:26,190 Mary Wittenberg: around dropping the pacers. TV was really nervous for the 783 00:40:26,190 --> 00:40:28,590 Mary Wittenberg: men and the women to just let them run because it 784 00:40:28,590 --> 00:40:31,920 Mary Wittenberg: used to be the theory was the pacers kept the 785 00:40:31,920 --> 00:40:34,830 Mary Wittenberg: men and especially the women, because there weren't as many, 786 00:40:34,830 --> 00:40:37,710 Mary Wittenberg: but they kept them together until the Queensboro Bridge. So 787 00:40:37,710 --> 00:40:40,590 Mary Wittenberg: the theory was ... And we were like, " But we're not 788 00:40:40,590 --> 00:40:43,140 Mary Wittenberg: a fast race. We're about competition from the beginning." So 789 00:40:43,140 --> 00:40:47,968 Mary Wittenberg: there's a lot of stress around, would we be looking 790 00:40:47,969 --> 00:40:50,400 Mary Wittenberg: at one person for the whole race instead of a 791 00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:54,029 Mary Wittenberg: competitive race? And we ensured, and Sam and David did 792 00:40:54,030 --> 00:40:56,550 Mary Wittenberg: a great job, that the pro fields were deep and 793 00:40:56,580 --> 00:40:59,130 Mary Wittenberg: these were people that wanted to really be here and 794 00:40:59,130 --> 00:41:01,650 Mary Wittenberg: race hard. And sure enough, it worked out great, but 795 00:41:01,650 --> 00:41:03,750 Mary Wittenberg: there was a lot of stress around that decision, I remember. 796 00:41:04,320 --> 00:41:08,310 Becs Gentry: Mary, talk to us a bit about the sports side 797 00:41:08,310 --> 00:41:10,920 Becs Gentry: of it. So when it comes to the agents back 798 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:15,150 Becs Gentry: then, and I'm sure it was a very different world, but you 799 00:41:15,150 --> 00:41:18,090 Becs Gentry: said it would be tougher for the women to run 800 00:41:18,090 --> 00:41:21,330 Becs Gentry: this race, therefore because they have no shield from the 801 00:41:21,330 --> 00:41:25,500 Becs Gentry: guys. And for our newer runners, that's just basically when 802 00:41:25,500 --> 00:41:28,020 Becs Gentry: runners, they can have a bit of an advantage if 803 00:41:28,020 --> 00:41:30,239 Becs Gentry: you tuck in behind a pack because it can block wind. 804 00:41:30,239 --> 00:41:30,330 Mary Wittenberg: Huge. 805 00:41:30,360 --> 00:41:32,759 Becs Gentry: New York's a windy place. It can help. It's like 806 00:41:32,760 --> 00:41:36,750 Becs Gentry: drafting in cycling if you're on your Peloton. And then so 807 00:41:36,750 --> 00:41:39,150 Becs Gentry: when it comes to the women going out by themselves, 808 00:41:39,150 --> 00:41:41,070 Becs Gentry: as you say, therefore their race is going to become 809 00:41:41,070 --> 00:41:44,250 Becs Gentry: harder. So how was it for the agents and the 810 00:41:44,250 --> 00:41:47,910 Becs Gentry: negotiations for all of these professional women to come to 811 00:41:47,910 --> 00:41:49,260 Becs Gentry: that race with this in mind? 812 00:41:50,250 --> 00:41:52,920 Mary Wittenberg: It was hard with the agents in the countries who 813 00:41:52,920 --> 00:41:55,980 Mary Wittenberg: care about time most. And again, we've never been a 814 00:41:55,980 --> 00:41:58,290 Mary Wittenberg: time course. We don't care about time. I mean, it's 815 00:41:58,290 --> 00:42:00,960 Mary Wittenberg: nice when you have a course record and yay to breaking 816 00:42:00,960 --> 00:42:02,940 Mary Wittenberg: the women's course record last year on the running side, 817 00:42:02,940 --> 00:42:07,710 Mary Wittenberg: but that's where it was hard. And we left money on 818 00:42:07,710 --> 00:42:11,520 Mary Wittenberg: the table. At the time, we were always ... We still 819 00:42:11,520 --> 00:42:13,920 Mary Wittenberg: are waiting for a Japanese winner of New York. We 820 00:42:13,920 --> 00:42:17,880 Mary Wittenberg: always wanted more Japanese TV. We always wanted Japanese sponsors 821 00:42:17,910 --> 00:42:21,960 Mary Wittenberg: and we weren't going to get them. They were going to go to Berlin and Chicago 822 00:42:21,960 --> 00:42:25,860 Mary Wittenberg: and that was okay, but it was more convincing agents 823 00:42:25,860 --> 00:42:30,780 Mary Wittenberg: and helping everybody adjust deals because a lot of the shoe deals, as 824 00:42:30,810 --> 00:42:33,540 Mary Wittenberg: you guys know, there's the upfront prize money, but a 825 00:42:33,540 --> 00:42:36,960 Mary Wittenberg: lot of the money is behind appearance fees and also 826 00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:40,259 Mary Wittenberg: the shoe companies paying the athletes bonuses, and a lot 827 00:42:40,260 --> 00:42:44,340 Mary Wittenberg: of those bonuses were based on time. So over a 828 00:42:44,340 --> 00:42:46,890 Mary Wittenberg: period of time, we were able to convince everybody, " No, no, 829 00:42:46,890 --> 00:42:49,350 Mary Wittenberg: New York is worth the crown. They should be getting big 830 00:42:49,350 --> 00:42:53,580 Mary Wittenberg: bonuses for New York without regard to time." And even 831 00:42:53,580 --> 00:42:55,410 Mary Wittenberg: we had time bonuses. We got rid, I'm sure we 832 00:42:55,410 --> 00:42:57,420 Mary Wittenberg: still have some time bonuses, but we got rid of 833 00:42:57,420 --> 00:43:00,900 Mary Wittenberg: some of that and just tried to up everything, make 834 00:43:00,900 --> 00:43:06,390 Mary Wittenberg: the win and the podium really meaningful so that the 835 00:43:06,390 --> 00:43:09,810 Mary Wittenberg: athletes could make as much money or more money and 836 00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:12,870 Mary Wittenberg: benefit from running here. But then we had to do 837 00:43:12,900 --> 00:43:16,620 Mary Wittenberg: things too like work with the World Athletics because time 838 00:43:16,620 --> 00:43:19,410 Mary Wittenberg: would also be the way you got qualifiers for Olympics 839 00:43:19,469 --> 00:43:21,630 Mary Wittenberg: and world championships. And what if we had a hot 840 00:43:21,630 --> 00:43:23,670 Mary Wittenberg: year or a really cold year? So then we got 841 00:43:23,670 --> 00:43:26,160 Mary Wittenberg: to where, as part of the creating the majors too, 842 00:43:26,160 --> 00:43:29,489 Mary Wittenberg: but where finishing in our top 10 would count as 843 00:43:29,489 --> 00:43:32,250 Mary Wittenberg: a time qualifier in other places. So there's all these, 844 00:43:32,250 --> 00:43:34,710 Mary Wittenberg: as you know really well, but maybe the outside world 845 00:43:34,710 --> 00:43:37,500 Mary Wittenberg: doesn't know, you have an idea that sounds really good, 846 00:43:37,500 --> 00:43:39,719 Mary Wittenberg: like more visibility of women. You got to do all 847 00:43:39,719 --> 00:43:42,480 Mary Wittenberg: the work around that to make sure they fully get 848 00:43:42,480 --> 00:43:45,840 Mary Wittenberg: the benefit, especially as professional athletes. 849 00:43:46,530 --> 00:43:50,250 Rob Simmelkjaer: So we're wrapping up Women's History Month, Mary. What is 850 00:43:50,250 --> 00:43:54,150 Rob Simmelkjaer: one thing you'd like to see happen in sports, in 851 00:43:54,150 --> 00:43:56,640 Rob Simmelkjaer: running that hasn't happened yet? When you look around the 852 00:43:56,640 --> 00:43:59,010 Rob Simmelkjaer: landscape, is there one thing you look at now and 853 00:43:59,010 --> 00:44:00,960 Rob Simmelkjaer: you're like, " Oh, why is it still this way?" 854 00:44:01,590 --> 00:44:06,390 Mary Wittenberg: I think especially globally, globally, we still need a lot 855 00:44:06,420 --> 00:44:10,980 Mary Wittenberg: more women to have fully equal opportunities on the playing 856 00:44:10,980 --> 00:44:19,230 Mary Wittenberg: field and in jobs in sports. So we're definitely getting 857 00:44:19,230 --> 00:44:22,500 Mary Wittenberg: there in the US. I think running has led. I 858 00:44:22,500 --> 00:44:26,250 Mary Wittenberg: think in running, our biggest issue now is I wish 859 00:44:26,250 --> 00:44:29,009 Mary Wittenberg: we had a pro tour for the professional athletes because 860 00:44:29,010 --> 00:44:32,850 Mary Wittenberg: they're just not getting paid well enough to make a 861 00:44:32,850 --> 00:44:35,160 Mary Wittenberg: living. And so you end up with people who can afford 862 00:44:35,160 --> 00:44:37,890 Mary Wittenberg: to do it and not everybody who would be fully 863 00:44:37,890 --> 00:44:41,400 Mary Wittenberg: able to be a great athlete. And Road Runners, Rob, 864 00:44:41,400 --> 00:44:44,430 Mary Wittenberg: you guys have done an extraordinary job and continue to 865 00:44:44,430 --> 00:44:49,110 Mary Wittenberg: be a real force, as have many others supporting from 866 00:44:49,110 --> 00:44:53,520 Mary Wittenberg: there, whether it's Chicago or Land Trek Club and CIM 867 00:44:53,580 --> 00:44:58,170 Mary Wittenberg: and all these others, but it's hard work to have 868 00:44:58,170 --> 00:45:01,590 Mary Wittenberg: a professional opportunity. So definitely would love to see the 869 00:45:01,590 --> 00:45:04,920 Mary Wittenberg: athletes be able to do more of that. Definitely we're 870 00:45:04,920 --> 00:45:07,620 Mary Wittenberg: seeing now in this huge running boom that we've never 871 00:45:07,620 --> 00:45:11,250 Mary Wittenberg: seen before, I wish for women and men we could 872 00:45:11,250 --> 00:45:14,820 Mary Wittenberg: have a little more appreciation for each other. When people 873 00:45:14,820 --> 00:45:18,390 Mary Wittenberg: run, no matter what the pace, is extraordinary, and people who 874 00:45:18,390 --> 00:45:20,790 Mary Wittenberg: run for charity is extraordinary, and people who want to 875 00:45:20,790 --> 00:45:24,780 Mary Wittenberg: try to run to hit some time is extraordinary. It's 876 00:45:24,780 --> 00:45:28,290 Mary Wittenberg: all good. The beautiful thing is it's all good and we're 877 00:45:28,290 --> 00:45:32,910 Mary Wittenberg: here for all of it. So a little bit more 878 00:45:32,910 --> 00:45:37,410 Mary Wittenberg: in general for everybody of just, " Hey, let's recognize the 879 00:45:38,280 --> 00:45:40,950 Mary Wittenberg: superpower and everyone to just come be a part." And 880 00:45:40,950 --> 00:45:43,560 Mary Wittenberg: our roles on the organization side or now mine on 881 00:45:43,560 --> 00:45:49,710 Mary Wittenberg: the technology side and supporting organizers, let's realize there's a 882 00:45:49,710 --> 00:45:52,830 Mary Wittenberg: lot more work to do to get more people to 883 00:45:52,830 --> 00:45:56,850 Mary Wittenberg: start and finish lines and let's keep welcoming each other 884 00:45:56,850 --> 00:45:59,670 Mary Wittenberg: because it's not just the organizers hosting, it's the city 885 00:45:59,670 --> 00:46:01,620 Mary Wittenberg: who's hosting, it's the run clubs who are hosting, it's 886 00:46:01,620 --> 00:46:05,580 Mary Wittenberg: the crew. Let's all be really great and keep welcoming 887 00:46:05,580 --> 00:46:08,070 Mary Wittenberg: other people to running and we'll end up creating more 888 00:46:08,070 --> 00:46:11,879 Mary Wittenberg: and more opportunity. And I don't love the closed- off 889 00:46:11,880 --> 00:46:15,359 Mary Wittenberg: feeling. There's a lot of ways to run and let's 890 00:46:15,360 --> 00:46:17,460 Mary Wittenberg: keep building that and welcoming more people. 891 00:46:18,390 --> 00:46:19,259 Rob Simmelkjaer: Amen to that. 892 00:46:19,590 --> 00:46:23,460 Becs Gentry: That is a beautiful, beautiful thing. I want to give 893 00:46:23,460 --> 00:46:25,410 Becs Gentry: you one more question to wrap it up on a 894 00:46:25,410 --> 00:46:28,440 Becs Gentry: high note because of your experience and your knowledge and 895 00:46:28,739 --> 00:46:31,230 Becs Gentry: the fact that I know Rob and I both see 896 00:46:31,230 --> 00:46:34,860 Becs Gentry: your huge smile at so many races. I can be 897 00:46:36,150 --> 00:46:38,489 Becs Gentry: in a race in Europe and I will know Mary 898 00:46:38,489 --> 00:46:40,440 Becs Gentry: will be there at the finish line with a smile 899 00:46:40,440 --> 00:46:44,610 Becs Gentry: on her face. So what do you see today though 900 00:46:44,790 --> 00:46:48,780 Becs Gentry: in professional and kids races or whichever it is, whenever 901 00:46:48,780 --> 00:46:51,899 Becs Gentry: you get to a race, what makes you proud? 902 00:46:52,230 --> 00:46:56,430 Mary Wittenberg: Oh, just of every person who gets out there and 903 00:46:56,430 --> 00:47:02,040 Mary Wittenberg: takes another step. We know the satisfaction is it's not 904 00:47:02,040 --> 00:47:05,250 Mary Wittenberg: so easy all the time. So everybody who gets out 905 00:47:05,250 --> 00:47:08,850 Mary Wittenberg: there and our roles are ... I thought about it today. Now 906 00:47:08,850 --> 00:47:11,610 Mary Wittenberg: I'm into run commuting because if I don't have time, 907 00:47:12,989 --> 00:47:14,820 Mary Wittenberg: I have my sneakers and my black pants on and 908 00:47:14,820 --> 00:47:17,640 Mary Wittenberg: I'll run to Columbia later at the end of the day. It's okay. 909 00:47:18,000 --> 00:47:19,920 Mary Wittenberg: And so part of our job is showing people, you 910 00:47:19,920 --> 00:47:23,820 Mary Wittenberg: know what? Some people ... We have a lot of privilege to fit running 911 00:47:23,820 --> 00:47:25,800 Mary Wittenberg: in our lives. And how do we help other people 912 00:47:25,800 --> 00:47:28,049 Mary Wittenberg: always fit running in their lives, even if there's no 913 00:47:28,050 --> 00:47:30,661 Mary Wittenberg: time or there's ... So I feel like I'm proud- 914 00:47:30,661 --> 00:47:30,662 Rob Simmelkjaer: I always say, Mary, running is an underrated form of transportation. 915 00:47:30,662 --> 00:47:30,663 Mary Wittenberg: Exactly. It's the best. 916 00:47:30,663 --> 00:47:30,664 Becs Gentry: It's the best. 917 00:47:30,664 --> 00:47:36,360 Mary Wittenberg: So when I see someone- 918 00:47:37,000 --> 00:47:37,801 Becs Gentry: (inaudible) you. 919 00:47:37,801 --> 00:47:40,799 Mary Wittenberg: ... running for a bus, I'm like, "You got it. You got it. Go get that bus." But just 920 00:47:40,800 --> 00:47:43,890 Mary Wittenberg: proud of seeing everybody who puts a foot forward and 921 00:47:43,890 --> 00:47:47,250 Mary Wittenberg: really proud of, I got to say, Rob, for you 922 00:47:47,250 --> 00:47:52,710 Mary Wittenberg: and your team and every event organizer. It's way easier 923 00:47:52,739 --> 00:47:55,739 Mary Wittenberg: to run than it is to work the events, and 924 00:47:56,070 --> 00:47:59,730 Mary Wittenberg: so hats off for all the effort that goes into 925 00:47:59,880 --> 00:48:02,820 Mary Wittenberg: supporting runners. And that makes me super proud and super 926 00:48:02,820 --> 00:48:05,760 Mary Wittenberg: proud of the way the current Road Runner team does 927 00:48:05,760 --> 00:48:08,400 Mary Wittenberg: it. I feel like you're a close team and you 928 00:48:08,400 --> 00:48:14,310 Mary Wittenberg: involve the community, and Becs, you're part of that. And there's 929 00:48:14,310 --> 00:48:16,050 Mary Wittenberg: getting a result and then there's the way you do 930 00:48:16,050 --> 00:48:20,040 Mary Wittenberg: it. And I feel like there's really positive, inclusive, warm 931 00:48:20,040 --> 00:48:24,540 Mary Wittenberg: feeling from the Road Runner team and so many of 932 00:48:24,540 --> 00:48:27,090 Mary Wittenberg: the teams I'm really privileged to work with now around 933 00:48:27,090 --> 00:48:30,540 Mary Wittenberg: the world. This last weekend we had ... Think about this. 934 00:48:30,540 --> 00:48:34,200 Mary Wittenberg: There was the Warsaw Half, the Rome Marathon, the Chicago 935 00:48:34,200 --> 00:48:39,870 Mary Wittenberg: Shamrock, the Shamrock Virginia Beach. Small, large, there's races everywhere 936 00:48:39,870 --> 00:48:43,049 Mary Wittenberg: every weekend. And so the last point I'll make that 937 00:48:43,050 --> 00:48:47,460 Mary Wittenberg: I think we can do together, this is a huge global 938 00:48:47,460 --> 00:48:51,780 Mary Wittenberg: sport that is best on a local level everywhere it 939 00:48:51,780 --> 00:48:56,100 Mary Wittenberg: is. We don't somehow get credit as a sport. We 940 00:48:56,100 --> 00:49:00,480 Mary Wittenberg: see everybody in global football shirts, soccer, which I love, 941 00:49:00,540 --> 00:49:04,860 Mary Wittenberg: and especially the women, especially Gotham, but if you look 942 00:49:04,860 --> 00:49:07,350 Mary Wittenberg: at all the running shirts around the world, there are a lot 943 00:49:07,350 --> 00:49:11,580 Mary Wittenberg: of people running. So this is a real moment of cities 944 00:49:11,580 --> 00:49:16,290 Mary Wittenberg: and towns everywhere having events, and that makes me proud 945 00:49:16,290 --> 00:49:20,700 Mary Wittenberg: because I think some of our Ted Corbitt and Fred 946 00:49:20,700 --> 00:49:23,880 Mary Wittenberg: and others before us all were part of creating an 947 00:49:23,880 --> 00:49:26,610 Mary Wittenberg: environment where people ran on the streets and in the 948 00:49:26,610 --> 00:49:30,540 Mary Wittenberg: parks. And that is happening in a huge way all 949 00:49:30,540 --> 00:49:34,080 Mary Wittenberg: around the world. And that is so powerful in the 950 00:49:34,080 --> 00:49:37,529 Mary Wittenberg: lives of people and in their neighborhoods and super proud 951 00:49:37,770 --> 00:49:40,200 Mary Wittenberg: of everybody who's out there doing that, making it happen. 952 00:49:40,890 --> 00:49:41,040 Becs Gentry: Thank you. 953 00:49:41,040 --> 00:49:43,830 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mary Wittenberg, great to see you. Thanks for being with 954 00:49:43,830 --> 00:49:45,090 Rob Simmelkjaer: us today. Appreciate you. 955 00:49:45,090 --> 00:49:45,301 Becs Gentry: Thank you, Mary. 956 00:49:45,301 --> 00:49:48,690 Mary Wittenberg: I appreciate you guys. Always a lot to say. Bye! 957 00:49:49,530 --> 00:49:52,590 Rob Simmelkjaer: New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a 958 00:49:52,590 --> 00:49:55,980 Rob Simmelkjaer: vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the 959 00:49:55,980 --> 00:50:00,060 Rob Simmelkjaer: transformative power of running. The support of members and donors 960 00:50:00,060 --> 00:50:03,270 Rob Simmelkjaer: like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the 961 00:50:03,270 --> 00:50:07,170 Rob Simmelkjaer: health and wellbeing of our communities through inclusive and accessible 962 00:50:07,170 --> 00:50:11,759 Rob Simmelkjaer: running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn more 963 00:50:11,760 --> 00:50:16,620 Rob Simmelkjaer: and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. That does it for 964 00:50:16,620 --> 00:50:18,930 Rob Simmelkjaer: another episode of Set the Pace. We want to thank 965 00:50:18,930 --> 00:50:23,040 Rob Simmelkjaer: Mary Wittenberg for joining us. And Becs, it's always fun 966 00:50:23,040 --> 00:50:26,310 Rob Simmelkjaer: talking to Mary because in this job I realized how 967 00:50:26,310 --> 00:50:30,000 Rob Simmelkjaer: much has changed here, and Mary was a person who changed a lot of it. 968 00:50:31,800 --> 00:50:34,710 Becs Gentry: She did. She sure did. And she's an absolute icon 969 00:50:34,920 --> 00:50:39,719 Becs Gentry: in the running world and always, always, everyone's biggest supporter. 970 00:50:40,050 --> 00:50:43,410 Becs Gentry: I think if you've run alongside her or you've run 971 00:50:43,530 --> 00:50:46,440 Becs Gentry: towards her at a finish line, you know that she 972 00:50:46,440 --> 00:50:51,540 Becs Gentry: is the running world's biggest, biggest, loudest, most wonderful cheerer. 973 00:50:51,540 --> 00:50:51,810 Rob Simmelkjaer: Absolutely. 974 00:50:51,810 --> 00:50:55,230 Becs Gentry: So from the bottom of our hearts, and especially as 975 00:50:55,230 --> 00:50:57,330 Becs Gentry: a female runner in the world, I have a lot 976 00:50:57,330 --> 00:50:58,799 Becs Gentry: to owe and thank Mary for. 977 00:50:59,489 --> 00:51:02,279 Rob Simmelkjaer: All right. Well, if you liked the show, please leave us a five- star 978 00:51:02,280 --> 00:51:04,411 Rob Simmelkjaer: rating. Leave a message. We'd love to hear from you. 979 00:51:04,411 --> 00:51:05,160 Becs Gentry: We do. 980 00:51:05,160 --> 00:51:06,989 Rob Simmelkjaer: Enjoy the miles. We'll see you next week.