Leadership, Legacy, and Leveling the Running Playing Field | Mary Wittenberg

Mary Wittenberg, former New York Road Runners President and CEO, joins Set the Pace this week as part of our celebration of Women’s History Month. After becoming a partner at a law firm in New York City, she pivoted to pursue her passion for sports, joining New York Road Runners in 1998. A dedicated runner, she won the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon and competed in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. During her tenure, Mary guided NYRR and the New York City Marathon through a decade of significant growth and in 2002 was part of a pivotal decision to introduce a women-only professional start ahead of the men, giving them more visibility with the spectators and news media. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Mary reflects on the continued need for greater equity in sports, noting that while progress has been made, there is still more work to do to ensure equal opportunities for women on the playing field.

00:00 Sometimes You’re Running the Wrong Race
00:08 Hall of Fame & NYRR Legacy
13:17 NYC Running in the 1990s
16:35 Running Chicago Against Legends
22:07 Training While Working at a Law Firm
24:31 Winning the Marine Corps Marathon
24:56 Olympic Trials & Injuries
28:04 Getting Hired at NYRR
30:10 Leaving Law for Running
32:19 The Career Turning Point
35:11 Growing the NYC Marathon
36:07 Equal Prize Money & Women in Running
38:30 Why Women Start First
41:30 Changing Professional Marathoning
43:46 What Still Needs to Change
46:18 The Running Boom
46:52 What Makes a Race Special
47:30 Running as Transportation
48:30 Running Is a Global Community
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