Like An Airline: A Behind-The-Scenes Look Into What It Takes To Set An Elite Marathon Field

Molly O'Toole for letsrun.com

The week following the 2009 ING New York City Marathon, readers have consumed friendly features celebrating Meb Keflezighi's struggles and victory, intense debates about his "American-ness," ponderings on the fate of "plodders," and possibly writings on the return of Deratu Tulu.

But long forgotten are the feats of most 43,475 finishers, and longer still the near-dozen elite entrants who never made the start. But it's all part of the same story: those who don't run and those who do (and win).

Gaining entry to the New York marathon is no 26.2 miles through New York's five boroughs, but it does make personal invitation seem like the simplest way to get in. Yet even a "Please come. Sincerely, New York Road Runners" doesn't mean you’ll make it to the line; in this sport, there are no guarantees. No race better exemplifies the innumerable variables faced by professional and amateur marathoners alike than this year's NY marathon.

The Elites
The New York Road Runners guest list for the 2009 ING New York City Marathon:

Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil, two-time winner and defending NYC Marathon champion.
Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa, 2004 Champion.
Paul Tergat of Kenya, 2005 Champion.
Martin Lel of Kenya, two-time NY champion.
Patrick Makau of Kenya, who has run the second-fastest half marathon time ever.
James Kwambai of Kenya, the third- and seventh-fastest marathoner in history.
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, the inaugural World Marathon Majors champion, four-time Boston Marathon champion, fifth in the World Championships Marathon this year.
Jaouad Gharib of Morocco, last year's Olympic marathon silver medalist, and the only man to have won the World Marathon championships twice.
Martin Fagan, Irish Olympian and half marathon record holder.
Ryan Hall, United States Olympian and the top U.S.A. Championship marathon performer ever.
Brian Sell, U.S. Olympian and the sixth-best U.S.A. Championship marathon performer (in, according to Sell pre-race, his last marathon).
Jorge Torres, United States, in his first marathon.Abdi Abdirahman, 3-time U.S. Olympian.
Meb Keflezighi, U.S., 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist and the 2005 NYC marathon runner-up.

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