NYC Marathon volunteer has helped runners chase glory for 50 years
Summary
Joanne Navarra is marking 50 years as a lead volunteer at the start village of the New York City Marathon. She and her late husband, Victor, helped organize the race’s start, and she continues the work in his memory.Key Facts
- The 2026 New York City Marathon is scheduled for Nov. 1, with nearly 60,000 runners expected.
- The five-borough course began in 1976, when the marathon’s start moved from Central Park to Staten Island.
- The 1976 race had 2,090 participants, who paid a $5 entry fee.
- Navarra began volunteering after her husband wanted to run the race.
- Race organizer Fred Lebow later asked the Navarras to run the start.
- The couple helped recruit volunteers, organize runner corrals and direct runners to the starting line.
- Victor Navarra, a New York City Fire Department lieutenant, died in 2007 from paranasal sinus cancer, which the article says was attributed to his Ground Zero volunteer work after the Sept. 11 attacks.
- Joanne Navarra has continued leading start operations as a way to honor her husband.
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