A few days before marathon Sunday, the NYRR events team moves the statue of race co-founder and former NYRR president Fred Lebow from his usual location near Engineer's Gate in Central Park to just past the ING New York City Marathon finish line. A champion of the marathon in many ways, including extending the race outside of Central Park and into all five boroughs, Lebow would be pleased that, even years after his death, his presence is still acknowledged at the famous finish line.

Every year, some of the fastest New York-area finishers in the ING New York City Marathon wear the distinctive blue singlets of the Westchester Track Club. This year will be no exception, says WTC coach Mike Barnow, who's most excited about the prospects of two NYCM debutants. "Stephen Chemlany--he's our best guy right now," Barnow opines. "Unfortunately, he went home to Kenya six weeks ago to visit family, and we don't know if he'll get a visa. We're crossing our fingers." Among the WTC women, Barnow expects a sub-2:40 from Buzunesh Deba, a 22-year-old from Ethiopia who's improved markedly this year at shorter distances--she ran 1:13 at the hot NYC Half-Marathon in August. "I think she can do 2:37 if she's smart about it," he predicts.

Barnow also likes the current form of Kassahun Kabiso, who's been the top NYRR-member finisher in New York several times and was second last year, in 2:19. "He's raced smarter this year--he didn't do another marathon in September or October," says Barnow. "He'll be running New York with fresh legs

Last year WTC placed four men in the overall top 20, a result that Barnow attributes to group living and training and a singular dedication to making the most of the opportunity to compete against the best. "These guys aren't afraid to line up with the top runners in the world and to go out and bang heads with them. They know that New York has the best field, so this is where they want to race." [Women's and men's pro athlete bios]

At Thursday's news conference, Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi asked the assembled athletes and journalists to take a moment to remember Ryan Shay, the aspiring Olympic marathoner who died two years ago in Central Park during the U.S. Olympic Trials. Almost every day, I run past this small, unobtrusive tribute to Shay. Today, I paused. And remembered.

...but just in case you run into trouble, know that the best possible medical care will be available at the start, along the course, and at the finish and post-finish. This medical facility--essentially a giant field hospital--has been erected in Central Park's Mineral Springs, just beyond the finish line. If you experience any medical issues before, during, or after the race, or if you just don't feel right, visit a medical aid station--identified by red signs--or ask a staff member, volunteer, or fellow runner for assistance. The help is there for you.

If you haven't been reading your daily tip, you've been missing out on the essential element, the sine qua non (if you will...ahem), of race preparation. Here's the very last one.

If you're running, tuck into bed with the laptop tonight and cruise through these tips (most written by the very same bloggers on this site). You won't regret it.