Thereare only a few days remaining before Jared Crouch makes his way to the startingline of the 2007 New York Marathon and he is already feeling the hype in thefamous host city.
“Themarathon is a big event over here,” he told Sydneyswans.com.au from his New York hotel.
“Thereare plenty of banners up around the city mentioning the marathon, TV ads aswell, people you meet talking about it, so the build up is getting bigger withonly days to go.
“Ihave spoken to a few people over here who love the fact that I am running themarathon but love even more that I am doing it for charity.
“Itreally is going to be an awesome experience.”
Crouchis in a team of 19 runners flying the flag for the Heart Foundation during the42km event. It is the first time anAustralian charity team has participated in the race.
Membersof ‘Team Heart Foundation’ have already raised over $200,000 which will helpfund heart research and education programs to help save more Australian livesfrom cardiovascular disease.
Crouchand Tadhg Kennelly set up a ‘Tadhg’s All Heart’ campaign and to date havecollectively raised over $35,000 for their chosen charity.
Kennelly, who was a late withdrawal from the event following knee surgerypost-season, hands the baton to Crouch to represent them both.
Despitethe latter’s professional level of fitness, he knows the marathon will test himphysically and mentally, especially after inspecting the track.
“It’sa great challenge to be competing in the New York Marathon, one of the world’smost iconic races in one of the world’s most famous cities,” Crouch said.
“Itwill be a challenge for me and my heart but it will be a great achievementcrossing that finish line in Central Park.
“Theend of the race is actually near my hotel and I have noticed a slight inclineto the finishing line which I am not happy about.”
Crouchhas been on holidays overseas since early October but in preparation for themarathon training sessions have included running “the strip” in Las Vegas, on a beachfront from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beachand across the Golden Gate Bridge in SanFrancisco.
