The New York City Marathon is known for attracting a large international field, which, given the recent spread of the Ebola virus to the United States, comes with some extra precautions this year.
Chris Weiller, New York Road Runners’ vice president of media and public relations, told the New York Daily News yesterday, “We are carefully monitoring updates from the CDC and the NYC Department of Health and will continue to coordinate closely with our health department partners at the city and state level to ensure the safety of participants, volunteers and spectators. The safety and security of our runners, spectators, volunteers and staff is always our main priority.”
Nearly 40 percent of last year’s New York City Marathon entrants were international runners, but only seven finishers listed West African countries of citizenship on their race applications, and the majority of them appear to be based in the United States.
Earlier this week, the NFL distributed a newsletter with basic facts about the Ebola virus to team doctors and trainers, intended for distribution to players and staff. While there is no specific threat to the NFL at this time, “We do recommend that medical personnel educate their players and staff about the need to inform club medical personnel in the unlikely event that they actually have such contact,'' wrote Doctors Daniel J. Sexton and Deverick J. Anderson, according to the Associated Press.
