All your senses say one thing, but New York City marathon favorite Deena Kastor says another.
Seeing her effusive smile plastered on city subways and buses, hearing race director Mary Wittenberg say a title Sunday would elevate Kastor from marathoner to crossover star, it’s clear if the 33-year-old Californian becomes the first U.S. female winner here since 1977 that she’d invigorate the sport.
But Kastor has no plans of being a marathon pied piper, and she isn’t gunning for a fast time as she has in every race since her marathon debut here in 2001.
The reigning Chicago and London marathon champ has just one goal: victory.
“I’d never put that type of pressure or obligation on myself that I can make that great of a difference. The pressure is just from an internal desire to win,” said Kastor, who hired strength coach Dennis Kline and has been logging 130 miles a week at 8,025 feet altitude in Mammoth Lakes.
“I was strictly . . . watchobsessed, time-oriented.
That’s behind me. I’ve had a goal since my first marathon to come back here and win. It’s very important to me. This is the year to do it.” Clearly. In the last year, she’s won Chicago and London (2:19.36), smashing her own U.S. record and becoming the fourth-fastest woman in history. She had little left to win – except arguably the toughest marathon of all.
“When it came down to it, I wanted to win this race.
I’d won Chicago last year. I had everything to lose by going there, but here I just had something to gain,” said Kastor.
“It’s an extraordinary stage, streets lined with people celebrating running, one of the most enthusiastic starting lines. The race has such rich history. Marathon weekend is one of the most memorable times in the city; to win would be even more special.”