Runners From Around the World Rehearse for the Marathon at the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K

A common pose for finishers of the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K Sunday morning was an airplane—arms outstretched, dipping right to left. It may have been just a fun way to capture a photo on the finish line of tomorrow’s TCS New York City Marathon, which for many is the draw of this huge shakeout run, but it also symbolized the way many of today’s runners traveled to that finish line.

More than a third of the 10,329 runners who completed the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line were from outside the United States, representing 150 countries around the world. The largest contingent by far—749 runners —was from France; Italy, Germany and Great Britain were all represented by more than 300 Dashers apiece. Citizens of Costa Rica, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, China, Finland, Argentina, Poland, Thailand, Cuba, Canada and more streamed across the line, waving flags and wearing singlets emblazoned with the names of their home countries. They followed in the path of the professional runners who raced in the 2019 USATF 5K Championships for men and women, which kicked off 15 minutes before the open race began.

Appropriately enough, Dash runners began their journey this morning outside the United Nations building before crossing Manhattan on 42nd Street, heading north on Sixth Avenue to Central Park South, then completing their final mile inside Central Park before crossing that marathon finish line. The sun rose behind the professional runners as they made their way west, and the rest of the field was treated to perfect running conditions: Clear, sunny skies and 46-degree temperatures with almost no wind.

The sight of the legendary finish line delighted four runners from New Zealand who completed the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line. They are part of a contingent of 140 who will race the marathon tomorrow. "It will be a bit bigger tomorrow, I'd imagine," said Adrian Webb. "But we are lucky to run today." Webb, far left, was joined for the photo below by, from left, Shirley Day, Jacque Webber and Mana Hazel.

Ethiopian runners captured both the men’s and the women’s titles in the open race. The men’s race was a tight one, as Tariku Demelash edged out second-place Daniel Winn of the U.S. by one second to break the tape in 14:26. American Isaac Updike was third in 14:33.