NYC Marathon Week 2010

Much of the race-week action occurred at the location formerly known as Tavern on the Green. The space is no longer the famous restaurant; now it is a visitors center and gift shop run by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. So, all press events this year were held in a greenhouse-like tent on the property.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, New York Road Runners introduced Meb Keflezighi, last year's winner—the first American man to win the race since 1982.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

Meb had a busy week himself. He has a new book, "Run to Overcome," and just launched his MEB foundation—Maintain Excellent Balance—benefiting New York Road Runners Youth Programs and the Armoryís College Prep Program.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

Meb's longtime coach, Bob Larsen, attended the press conference and talked about his athlete's chances for a repeat victory.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

On Wednesday, the New York Road Runners held a special press conference with Chilean miner Edison Peña.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

After learning that Peña was a runner, the organization invited him to be its guest for the weekend. Mary Wittenberg and her team were surprised when he said he wanted to run the marathon.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

Peña trained while trapped underground for 69 days in his knee-high miner's boots, which he cut to ankle-length footwear that allowed him to run.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

It was so dark underground, Peña said, that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

Former NY Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer was at Wednesday's press conferences. Here he poses with Runner's World Editor in Chief David Willey. Toomer will be running this year's race, while Willey will interview runners on the course during a live broadcast of the race.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

Ethiopia's Gebre Gebremariam will be making his marathon debut in Sunday's race. No stranger to the US road racing scene, Gebremariam won the Healthy Kidney 10-K in Central Park in May, Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race in June, and the Beach to Beacon 10-K and Falmouth Road Race in August. His winning streak came to an end when he finished second at the Philadelphia Half-Marathon in September.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

The final press conference of the week was reserved for world record holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

Haile was introduced by past NYC Marathon champ, and former world record holder in the marathon, Paul Tergat.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage

Gebrselassie and Tergat are good friends, going back to their legendary battles over 10,000 meters on the track and, later, in the marathon.

Photo: Jeff Dengate/Runner's World

See all New York City Marathon coverage