Sanitation worker recounts running NYC marathon right after working extra 12-hour overnight shift
Watch the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon Sunday, November 5 starting at 7 a.m. on ABC 7
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Chris Di Niso is one of New York City's strongest, a sanitation worker, who will make their way through the five boroughs on Marathon Sunday.
Born and raised on Staten Island, Di Niso is a veteran of the TCS New York City Marathon.
"It's nice to get to see a lot of Staten Island while I'm out there, "Di Niso said.
This will be their eighth race for, but this one particular year stands out.
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"Everyone at work thinks I am crazy but it's the only way to do it right, so I did it, "Di Niso said.
In 2021, they were short-staffed at work because of the pandemic so Chris picked up an extra shift starting at 7 p.m. the night before the marathon.
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"Straight from work, I caught the train, the ferry, ferry over to the bus, to the start of the village and I literally grabbed a bagel and tea and got into the crowd right before it closed and then I did the race," Di Niso said. "You get to mile 16 and you are tired and just like, 'I don't know if I can do this.'"
Now Chris runs about 2000 miles each year and along with their fiancé, Dawn, is passionate about getting more people involved with a sport they love.
Each Sunday, since 2016, they link up with other runners in Conference House Park on Staten Island for New York Road Runner's Open Run.
The community-based program offers free weekly runs and walks at 16 sites in the five boroughs and New Jersey."Thursdays I do five miles, Friday I do this, Sunday I am doing three, "Di Niso said.
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Chris says the city's secret ingredient for making a great marathon location is the crowds.
"You'll get a high five from random people wherever you go, the whole crowd wants you to succeed, which is nice, it's a great feeling, definitely, "Di Niso said.
Discover more coverage of the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon here and tune in Sunday starting at 7:00 a.m. on Channel 7 for coverage of the race.
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