Local Runner To Compete in NY Marathon "Virtually"

(Local runner Stacey Krajci (pictured) hoped to be competing in this year’s NY Marathon in November but due to Covid-19, the event was canceled. She is now training for a “virtual” NY Marathon in November. Photo: Stacey Krajci))

A local runner is not letting COVID-19 ruin her chance to compete in the New York City Marathon this year, even if the event itself has been canceled.

Stacey Krajci was hoping to compete in the annual event this November to celebrate her 50th birthday however with the pandemic she has had to make alternate plans.

Krajci, who began running over ten years ago,  says she will now take part in a virtual New York Marathon, hosted by the race coordinators.

She said hearing that the race was canceled for this year was no surprise.

“It was disappointing for sure but I was completely expecting it,” Krajci told Q101 News. “When I saw what was happening with other big events like the Boston Marathon being forced to cancel, I figured New York would follow suit.”

Krajci added that she actually would have been surprised if the marathon had have been held as scheduled.

She said that marathoners can virtually run the race anywhere in the world then use an app created for the race to record their times and send them to race officials in New York.

Krajci who is also the organizer of the Merritt Country Run said she will focus her attention to train for the 42.2 km run which she will do in Merritt on the same day as the original New York Marathon was to be held on Nov. 1st.

She has not given up her dream of running the actual New York Marathon as she plans on competing now for the 2022 race.