Meet the Man With the Longest NYC Marathon Streak

Dave Obelkevich Approaches 50 Years of the New York City Marathon

Dave Obelkevich will mark his 50th anniversary with the New York City Marathon this November, extending a streak that began in 1973 when the race featured fewer than 400 entrants. Now 83 years old, Obelkevich holds the record for the longest streak on record: 49 races.

From Central Park Loops to a Five-Borough Course

Obelkevich’s history with the race dates back to an impromptu run in Central Park. In 1973, while walking near 100th Street on Manhattan’s west side, he watched runners pass by and decided to jump in for the final of the park’s four loops, finishing in 43 minutes. He registered for the full race the following year, finishing in 4:20:27. After a DNF in 1975—where race cofounder Fred Lebow jokingly gave him a ride near the finish line—Obelkevich returned in 1976 for the first running of the modern five-borough course. That year, he ran a 3:22:44 and began a streak that has reached 49 races.

Adapting Training After Recovery

Following a life-threatening aneurysm in his left leg, Obelkevich adjusted his approach to the 26.2-mile distance. While he once targeted a sub-three-hour finish, which he achieved in 1979 with a time of 2:50:18, he now walks the course with Athletes with Disabilities alongside his daughter as his guide. His weekly preparation involves physical therapy exercises and daily walks, topping out at a 15-mile training walk. He relies on a simple rule to prevent setbacks: if a pain persists after testing it for five minutes, he heads home.

Practical Advice Gathered Over Five Decades

Obelkevich offers several observations for participants tackling the course. When lining up at Staten Island, he suggests bringing disposable reading material like a newspaper rather than draining a phone battery, and advises runners against discarding all extra layers, noting the mile-long walk from the finish line to the street can leave finishers cold.