Throwback Thursday

Bruce Cleland at the 1988 New York City Marathon

The New York City Marathon began in 1970. Founded by Fred Lebow, president of New York Road Runners, the first race consisted of several loops around Central Park. Of the 127 who started the race, only 55 crossed the finish line with Gary Muhrcke winning in a time of 2:31:38.

Today, the New York City marathon is one of the world's largest and the course takes runners through all five boroughs. We have a special place in our hearts for this great race because it's the birthplace of Team In Training.

In 1988, Steve Jones of the United Kingdom won the race in a time of 2:08:20. But to us, the win goes to Bruce Cleland who finished in a time of 5:23:33, but whose race changed the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society forever.

Cleland formed a group of 38 runners to compete in the race that year. Their goal was not only to complete 26.2 miles, but to raise funds for leukemia research. At the time, Cleland's young daughter Georgia was enduring leukemia. The group of runners raised more than $320,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team In Training was born. Since then, more than 600,000 athletes have done marathons, half marathons, cycle events, triathlons and hiking events through TNT and together they have raised $1.4 billion.

Today, for our "Throwback Thursday" we honor the man whose passion and vision started it all. Thank you Bruce Cleland! You're a champion and a hero.

*Cleland's daughter Georgia is all grown up now. She runs marathons and is on staff with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.