Courtesy: NYRRC

After meeting with running great Mary Slaney at last week's Millrose Games to discuss her published goal of taking on the marathon distance and the New York City Marathon in the near future, New York City Marathon race director Allan Steinfeld is very enthusiastic and confident that she would be a top marathoner.

"With her running talent at so many distances on the track she has all the right stuff to be a very strong marathon runner," Steinfeld said of the 43-year-old Slaney who has broken every American record from 800 through 10,000 meters since bursting upon the running scene over 30 years ago.

"She would be a great addition to the race and one of the biggest attractions we have ever had run in the NYC Marathon," said Steinfeld. According to a published report in the NY Times, Slaney is taking very seriously her intentions of not only running in the New York City Marathon, but also to be very competitive.

"I love New York because every year when Fred Lebow was alive and overseeing the race he would ask me if I would run a marathon. I said if I did, I would run New York," said Slaney.

"I could run a marathon today, but I want to run a good marathon," said Slaney, who by her own count has had more than 30 leg operations. "I go out and run for three hours and I feel good. I will always run, and at this point I want to compete, too."

Slaney is being advised on her training by somebody who knows a little bit about running and winning the NYC Marathon, her Eugene, Ore. neighbor Alberto Salazar, the 1980-82 champion.

Winning the NYC Marathon at her age would not be out of the question pointed out Steinfeld, noting that 42-year-old Priscilla Welch won the race in 1987.