1.
Central Park
–
Central Park is an urban park in Manhattan, New York City. Central Park is the most visited park in the United States, with 40 million visitors in 2013. The park was established in 1857 on 778 acres of city-owned land, construction began the same year and the parks first area was opened to the public in the winter of 1858. Construction continued during the American Civil War farther north, and was expanded to its current size of 843 acres in 1873, Central Park was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U. S. Department of the Interior in 1962. The Conservancy is a organization that contributes 75 percent of Central Parks $65 million annual budget and is responsible for all basic care of the 843-acre park. Between 1821 and 1855, New York City nearly quadrupled in population, as the city expanded northward up Manhattan, people were drawn to the few existing open spaces, mainly cemeteries, to get away from the noise and chaotic life in the city. Since Central Park was not part of the original Commissioners Plan of 1811, John Randel, Jr. surveyed the grounds. The only remaining surveying bolt from his survey is still visible, it is embedded in a rock just north of the present Dairy and the 65th Street Transverse, the bolt marks the location where West 65th Street would have intersected Sixth Avenue. The state appointed a Central Park Commission to oversee the development of the park, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux developed what came to be known as the Greensward Plan, which was selected as the winning design. The Greensward Plan called for some 36 bridges, all designed by Vaux, ranging from rugged spans of Manhattan schist or granite, to lacy Neo-Gothic cast iron, several influences came together in the design. Landscaped cemeteries, such as Mount Auburn and Green-Wood had set examples of idyllic, naturalistic landscapes, the most influential innovations in the Central Park design were the separate circulation systems for pedestrians, horseback riders, and pleasure vehicles. The crosstown commercial traffic was entirely concealed in sunken roadways, screened with densely planted shrub belts so as to maintain a rustic ambiance, before the construction of the park could start, the area had to be cleared of its inhabitants. Most lived in villages, such as Harsenville, the Piggery District, or Seneca Village, or in the school. Approximately 1,600 residents were evicted under the rule of eminent domain during 1857, Seneca Village and parts of the other communities were razed to make room for the park. During the parks construction, Olmsted fought constant battles with the park commissioners, between 1860 and 1873, most of the major hurdles to construction were overcome and the park was substantially completed. The work was documented with technical drawings and photographs. More gunpowder was used to clear the area than was used at the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War, the parks commissioners assigned a name to each of the original 18 gates in 1862. The names were chosen to represent the diversity of New York Citys trades, for example, Mariners Gate for the entrance at 85th Street
2.
New York City Marathon
–
The New York City Marathon is an annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is the largest marathon in the world, with 50,304 finishers in 2013, along with the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon, it is among the pre-eminent long-distance annual running events in the United States and is one of the World Marathon Majors. The race is organized by New York Road Runners Club and has run every year since 1970, with the exception of 2012. In past years, it has sponsored by the financial group ING. In 2014, Tata Consultancy Services, an information technology service, consulting. It is held on the first Sunday of November and attracts competitors and amateurs from all over the world. Because of the popularity of the race, participation is largely by a lottery system. Guaranteed entry to the marathon can be gained by meeting the requirements for the 9+1 or 9+$1K program, having completed 15 or more previous NYC Marathons, the race was founded by Fred Lebow. Ted Corbitt helped plan the deceptively hilly course of the New York City Marathon, the initial course of 1970 consisted in repeated racing around Central Park. From 1976, the covers all five boroughs of New York City. It begins on Staten Island, in Fort Wadsworth, near the approach to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the bridge, which normally carries only vehicular traffic, is closed for the event. Runners use both sides of the level of the bridge and the westbound side of the lower level. In the opening minutes of the race, the bridge is filled with runners, after descending the bridge, the course winds through Brooklyn, mostly along Fourth Avenue and Bedford Avenue, for approximately the next 11 miles. Runners pass through a variety of neighborhoods, including, Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, at 13.1 miles, runners cross the Pulaski Bridge, marking the halfway point of the race and the entrance into Long Island City, Queens. After about 2.5 miles in Queens, runners cross the East River via the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan. It is at point in the race when many runners begin to tire. It then proceeds south through Harlem down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park, at the southern end of the park, the race proceeds across Central Park South, where thousands of spectators cheer runners on during the last mile. At Columbus Circle, the race re-enters the park and finishes outside Tavern on the Green, the time limit for this course is 8½ hours from the 10,10 a. m. start
3.
Arad, Romania
–
Arad is the capital city of Arad County, historically situated in the region of Crișana, and having recently extended on the left bank of the Mureș river, in Banat region of western Romania. It had one of the first music conservatories in Europe, the city has a population of 159,704, making it the 12th largest city in Romania. Arad is the third largest city in the part of the country, behind Timișoara. Arad was first mentioned in documents in the 11th century, the Ottoman Empire conquered the region from Hungary in 1551 and kept it until the Peace of Karlowitz of 1699. Arad became a center, which comprised the sanjaks of Arad, Lugoj, Kacaș, Beşlek and Yanova from 1660 till 1697. After 1699, the city was ruled by the Habsburg Monarchy, at the beginning of 18th century, Arad became center of Eastern Orthodox Eparchy of Arad. According to 1720 data, the population of the city was composed of 177 Romanian families,162 Serbian, the first Jew allowed to settle inside the city was Isac Elias in 1717. Eventually the Jewish population of Arad numbered over 10,000 people, more than 10% of the population, the new fortress was built between 1763 and 1783. Although it was small, it proved formidable having played a role in the Hungarian struggle for independence in 1849. The city possesses a museum containing relics of war of independence. It was from Arad that Lajos Kossuth issued his famous proclamation, the fortress was recaptured shortly after the surrender at Világos, with the surrender of general Artúr Görgey to the Russians. Thirteen rebel generals were executed there on 6 October 1849, by order of the Austrian general Julius Jacob von Haynau and these men are known collectively as the 13 Martyrs of Arad, and since then Arad is considered the Hungarian Golgotha. One of the public squares contains a monument, erected in their memory. It consists of a figure of Hungary, with four allegorical groups. Arad enjoyed great development in the 19th century. In 1834 it was declared a royal town by Emperor Francis I of Austria. Aradu Nou / Neu Arad / Újarad, situated on the bank of the Mureș river, is a neighborhood of Arad. It was founded during the Turkish wars of the 17th century, the works erected by the Turks for the capture of the fortress of Arad formed the nucleus of the new settlement
4.
Grete Waitz
–
Grete Waitz was a Norwegian marathon runner and former world record holder. In 1979, she became the first woman in history to run the marathon in two and a half hours. She won nine New York City Marathons between 1978 and 1988, more than any other runner in history and she won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and a gold medal at the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki. Her other marathon victories included winning the London Marathon in 1983 and 1986 and she was also a five-time winner of the World Cross Country Championships. Born Grete Andersen in Oslo, Norway, Waitz was a young runner. However, Waitz ran at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich in the 1500 metres, in her teen years, Waitz won national junior titles in Norway in the 400 and 800 metres. At age 17 she set the European junior record for 1500 m with a time of 4,17, in 1975 Waitz broke the 3000 metres world record, running 8,46.6 in Oslo. Two years later in Montreal she won a medal, also in Oslo. Her 4,00.55 career best in the 1500 m, set in Prague in 1978 and she went on to win the race nine times and broke the world record three years in a row. Besides her marathon victories in New York and the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki, Waitz also won the London Marathon in 1983 and 1986, the only significant award she did not win in her career was an Olympic victory. As an up-and-coming 19-year-old in Munich and then a 23-year-old running the 1500 m in Montreal, she competed, in 1980, Norway was one of the countries that decided to boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. At the 1984 Summer Olympics, she was beaten in the marathon by Joan Benoit, in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea, a bad knee forced her to drop out of the womens marathon just after passing the 18-mile mark. She won a medal in the marathon at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki. Waitz completed her last marathon on 1 November 1992 with her friend Fred Lebow, in celebration of Lebows 60th birthday, after he was diagnosed with brain cancer in early 1990, they both completed the New York City Marathon with a time of 5,32,35. 1500 metres –4,00.55 – Prague – 03/09/1978 One mile –4,26.90 – Gateshead – 09/07/19783000 metres –8,31 and she also did charity work, particularly for the CARE International and the International Special Olympics. In June 2005 it was known that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. For more than 25 years, Waitz served as the ambassador for the worldwide JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Series, promoting health and she provided regular training and motivational tips. Waitz was also a spokesperson for Avon Products, in August 2009 it was revealed that Waitz had initiated a co-operation between her old sponsor, Adidas, and the cancer care foundation she started in 2007 – Aktiv mot kreft
5.
New York Road Runners
–
New York Road Runners is a non-profit running organization based in New York City whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. It was founded in 1958 by Ted Corbitt with 47 members and has grown to membership of more than 60,000. NYRR conducts more than 100 events each year, including races, classes, clinics, in addition, the NYRR Foundation creates school-based running teams through Running Partners, a youth development program serving schools with few or no recreation programs. NYRR is headed by President and CEO Michael Capiraso and President, Events, members also receive discounts on race-entry fees and to NYRR Running Classes. New York Road Runners’ mission to help and inspire people through running has been brought to life in a new community running center, in addition to serving as the spot for number pickup, the NYRR RUNCENTER is home to the 1 for You 1 for Youth program. For each pair of shoes purchased at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub, New York Road Runners will give the shoes to a participant in the programs*. The NYRR RUNCENTER showcases the latest in running education, training, the RUNCENTERs location is aimed to inspire the surrounding community—as well as those coming to run in NYC—to get moving in the city’s parks and streets. Lockers are available to those looking to store their belongings out on a run. The NB Run Hub in NYC is the expression of New Balance Performance Running, offering the most innovative gear and exclusive programming. Through the Test Run initiative, runners have an opportunity to try out the latest NB running gear and technology and this Promotion shall run from December 12,2016 to December 31,2017. For more information about New York Road Runners visit nyrr. org, NYRR operates an information kiosk for runners located on the bridle path near Central Park’s East Drive at the East 90th Street entrance. Staffed by NYRR Runner Services, the kiosk is open to answer runners questions about the park or NYRR events. The information kiosk also serves as the point for many of the NYRR running programs. The NYRR Foundation was founded in 1998 to carry out the service mission of the New York Road Runners. NYRR Foundation’s goal is to promote health, well-being, and personal achievement among under-served children with little or no access to athletic programming. Various programs are all designed to help youth of all sizes, fitness levels and athletic talents utilize the discipline of running to improve health, build character and uplift the spirit. In 2007, NYRR Foundation programs serve more than 20,000 kids per week from over 150 schools and community centers participating in NYRR Foundation programs in New York City and across the country. The club gives out the Abebe Bikila Award annually in recognition of individuals who have contributed to the sport of running
6.
John Lennon
–
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE was an English singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beatles, the most commercially successful and musically influential band in the history of popular music. He and fellow member Paul McCartney formed a songwriting partnership. Born and raised in Liverpool, Lennon became involved in the craze as a teenager, his first band, the Quarrymen, first became the Silver Beatles. After his marriage to Yoko Ono in 1969, he added Ono as one of his middle names, Lennon disengaged himself from the music business in 1975 to raise his infant son Sean, but re-emerged with Ono in 1980 with the new album Double Fantasy. He was murdered three weeks after its release, Lennon revealed a rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, writing, drawings, on film and in interviews. By 2012, Lennons solo album sales in the United States exceeded 14 million and, as writer, co-writer, or performer, he is responsible for 25 number-one singles on the US Hot 100 chart. In 2002, a BBC poll on the 100 Greatest Britons voted him eighth and, in 2008, Rolling Stone ranked him the fifth-greatest singer of all time. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987, and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, in 1988 as a member of the Beatles and in 1994 as a solo artist. Lennon was born in war-time England, on 9 October 1940 at Liverpool Maternity Hospital, to Julia and Alfred Lennon, a merchant seaman of Irish descent and his parents named him John Winston Lennon after his paternal grandfather, John Jack Lennon, and then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill. When he eventually came home six months later, he offered to look after the family, after her sister, Mimi Smith, twice complained to Liverpools Social Services, Julia handed the care of Lennon over to her. In July 1946 Lennons father visited Smith and took his son to Blackpool, Julia followed them—with her partner at the time, Bobby Dykins—and after a heated argument his father forced the five-year-old to choose between them. Lennon twice chose his father, but as his mother walked away, he began to cry and followed her, according to author Mark Lewisohn, Lennons parents agreed that Julia should take him and give him a home as Alf left again. A witness who was there that day, Billy Hall, has said the scene often portrayed with a young John Lennon having to make a decision between his parents never happened. It would be 20 years before he had contact with his father again, Throughout the rest of his childhood and adolescence he lived at Mendips,251 Menlove Avenue, Woolton with his aunt and uncle, Mimi and George Smith, who had no children of their own. His aunt purchased volumes of stories for him, and his uncle. In September 1980, Lennon commented about his family and his rebellious nature, Part of me would like to be accepted by all facets of society, but I cannot be what I am not. I was the one who all the other boys parents—including Pauls father—would say, the parents instinctively recognised I was a troublemaker, meaning I did not conform and I would influence their children, which I did. I did my best to disrupt every friends home, partly out of envy that I didnt have this so-called home
7.
Find a Grave
–
Find a Grave is a website that allows the public to search and add to an online database of cemetery records. It is owned by Ancestry. com, the worlds largest for-profit genealogy company, the site was created in 1995 by Salt Lake City resident Jim Tipton to support his hobby of visiting the burial sites of celebrities. He later added an online forum, Find a Grave was launched as a commercial entity in 1998, first as a trade name and then incorporated in 2000. The site later expanded to include graves of non-celebrities, in order to allow visitors to pay respect to their deceased relatives or friends. In 2013, Tipton sold Find a Grave to Ancestry. com, burial information is a wonderful source for people researching their family history. In a September 30,2013, press release, Ancestry, as of March 2017, Find a Grave contained over 159 million burial records and 75 million photos. The website contains listings of cemeteries and graves from around the world, american cemeteries are organized by state and county, and many cemetery records contain Google Maps and photographs of the cemeteries and gravesites. Individual grave records may contain dates and places of birth and death, biographical information, cemetery and plot information, photographs, Interment listings are added by individuals, genealogical societies, and other institutions such as the International Wargraves Photography Project. Contributors must register as members to submit listings, called memorials, the submitter becomes the manager of the listing but may transfer management. Only the current manager of a listing may edit it, although any member may use the features to send correction requests to the listings manager. Managers may add links to other listings of deceased spouses, parents, members may post requests for photos of a specific grave, these requests will be automatically sent to other members who have registered their location as being near that grave. Find a Grave also maintains lists of memorials of famous persons by their claim to fame, such as Medal of Honor recipients, religious figures, Find a Grave exercises editorial control over these listings. Canadian Headstones Interment. net National Cemetery Administrations Nationwide Gravesite Locator Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Tombstone tourist Colker, web site answers grave concerns about stars. Web site attracts millions of grave-seekers, Find VIPs who R. I. P. through online cemetery. Genealogy, Find a Grave tremendous on many different levels, terre Haute, Indiana, Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. Archived from the original on May 14,2011, tip, Find a Grave has info youre dying to know. Tracking Down Relatives, Visiting Graves Virtually, media related to Images from Find A Grave at Wikimedia Commons Official website
8.
National Distance Running Hall of Fame
–
The National Distance Running Hall of Fame was established on July 11,1998, to honor those who have contributed to the sport of distance running. Many of those who are inducted have achieved success as runners. The National Distance Running Hall of Fame is located in Utica, New York, inside the Hall are pictures, videos and other memorabilia that provide the history of the sport through the eyes of both the runners and spectators. The city of Utica was selected to be the home of the hall of fame because it hosts the annual Boilermaker Road Race—one of the largest 15 km road races in the US. Track and Field and distance running are sports that are heavily reliable upon sponsorship money, unfortunately some years come up much shorter than other years in terms of funding and donations to the sport, which can cause ripple effects throughout the whole sport. No induction ceremonies occurred in 2004,2007 and 2009, in 2007, it was due to the search for a new executive director, the 30th running of the Boilermaker Road Race, and construction to the Stanley Theater stage, which is where the ceremony takes place. In 2009, the economy caused too few sponsors to donate money for the event. With the inclusion of Grete Waitz and Priscilla Welch, the membership is not limited to Americans, both athletes represented other countries internationally, though they had an extensive running history in the United States
