Photos: A Look Back At The First NYC Marathon In 1970

Runners in the first New York City Marathon turn onto Park Drive in Central Park, 1970. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Runners in the first New York City Marathon turn onto Park Drive in Central Park, 1970. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

be3687102103116runnersdrive-jpeg.jpeg

Runners in the first New York City Marathon turn onto Park Drive in Central Park, 1970. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Gothamist

Bill Rodgers at the 1974 NYC Marathon. Rodgers would go on to win the 1976-1979 races. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Bill Rodgers at the 1974 NYC Marathon. Rodgers would go on to win the 1976-1979 races. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

62fffc614103116billrogers-jpg.jpeg

Bill Rodgers at the 1974 NYC Marathon. Rodgers would go on to win the 1976-1979 races. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Gothamist

Kathrine Switzer was the women's winner of the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Kathrine Switzer was the women's winner of the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

3135acfa4103116switzer-jpg.jpeg

Kathrine Switzer was the women's winner of the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Gothamist

Mary Engel, daughter of marathon photographer Ruth Orkin, hands water to a runner at the 1974 race. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Mary Engel, daughter of marathon photographer Ruth Orkin, hands water to a runner at the 1974 race. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

687bc1f70103116handingwater-jpg.jpeg

Mary Engel, daughter of marathon photographer Ruth Orkin, hands water to a runner at the 1974 race. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Gothamist

Runners at the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Runners at the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

468d00727103116headband-jpg.jpeg

Runners at the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Gothamist

At the finish line of the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/(Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

At the finish line of the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/(Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

1b452f434103116finish-jpg.jpeg

At the finish line of the 1974 marathon. (Ruth Orkin/(Ruth Orkin/<a href="http://www.orkinphoto.com/">Ruth Orkin Photo Archive</a>)

Gothamist

A runner grabs a drink from a spectator during the 1979 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/3094891">Hulton Archive</a>/Getty Images)

A runner grabs a drink from a spectator during the 1979 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/3094891">Hulton Archive</a>/Getty Images)

c73e0b766103116marathonman-jpeg.jpeg

A runner grabs a drink from a spectator during the 1979 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/3094891">Hulton Archive</a>/Getty Images)

Gothamist

A competitor cools himself down at a watering station in Central Park during the 1984 NY Marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/1201940">David Cannon</a>/Allsport)

A competitor cools himself down at a watering station in Central Park during the 1984 NY Marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/1201940">David Cannon</a>/Allsport)

19405245f103116water84marathon-jpeg.jpeg

A competitor cools himself down at a watering station in Central Park during the 1984 NY Marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/1201940">David Cannon</a>/Allsport)

Gothamist

Runners head north on Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge during the 1984 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/1201934">David Cannon</a>/Allsport)

Runners head north on Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge during the 1984 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/1201934">David Cannon</a>/Allsport)

d94c7030d103116marathonvert1984-jpeg.jpeg

Runners head north on Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge during the 1984 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/1201934">David Cannon</a>/Allsport)

Gothamist

Running through Williamsburg during the 1998 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/72378662">Ezra O. Shaw</a>/Allsport)

Running through Williamsburg during the 1998 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/72378662">Ezra O. Shaw</a>/Allsport)

3c9c6afd7wburg110416-jpeg.jpeg

Running through Williamsburg during the 1998 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/72378662">Ezra O. Shaw</a>/Allsport)

Gothamist

Runners cross the Verrazano Bridge at the beginning of the 25th NY Marathon in 1994. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/230438">Simon Bruty</a>/Getty Images)

Runners cross the Verrazano Bridge at the beginning of the 25th NY Marathon in 1994. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/230438">Simon Bruty</a>/Getty Images)

636001165103116start1994-jpeg.jpeg

Runners cross the Verrazano Bridge at the beginning of the 25th NY Marathon in 1994. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/230438">Simon Bruty</a>/Getty Images)

Gothamist

Hand-cyclists in Brooklyn during the 2007 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/77675898">Nick Laham</a>/Getty Images)

Hand-cyclists in Brooklyn during the 2007 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/77675898">Nick Laham</a>/Getty Images)

96abbde31handcyclistsbw110416-jpeg.jpeg

Hand-cyclists in Brooklyn during the 2007 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/77675898">Nick Laham</a>/Getty Images)

Gothamist

Italian runner Antonio D'Apuzzo  crosses the finish line in Central Park during the 2013 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/186732983">Neilson Barnard</a>/Getty Images)

Italian runner Antonio D'Apuzzo crosses the finish line in Central Park during the 2013 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/186732983">Neilson Barnard</a>/Getty Images)

c2838d763finishline110416-jpeg.jpeg

Italian runner Antonio D'Apuzzo crosses the finish line in Central Park during the 2013 marathon. (<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/license/186732983">Neilson Barnard</a>/Getty Images)

Gothamist