CORNWALL, Ontario – Lynn McCuaig, teacher and cross country coach at St. Joseph’s Secondary School, is feeling grateful that she had the opportunity to run in the TCS New York City (NYC) Marathon alongside her sisters on November 4.
“It was pretty amazing,” said McCuaig, who has been running for over eight years. “The whole city comes out to party along the side of the race course; there’s bands, DJs and people dancing everywhere. It made the time really pass fast with everyone yelling at you and encouraging you.”
“You start in Staten Island and then you run through all five boroughs until you get to downtown Manhattan…then you run through Central Park,” she added.
McCuaig explained that to qualify for the race, runners either need to be fast or enter their names into a lottery. McCuaig’s name was not selected in the lottery, but she later received an email from the race sponsor, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
TCS, a multinational information technology service, was giving 50 running bibs to teachers who support running and technology in their school. McCuaig submitted a series of essays and was chosen out of 450 applicants from across North America.
“It was pretty special that you are being recognized for being a teacher and a coach,” said McCuaig. “It was cool to be rewarded for it.”
McCuaig was given the full V.I.P. treatment, including lavish accommodations, a coach bus to the race, a heated tent at the starting line, a separate baggage check, and a guided walk to a restaurant where racers could celebrate with a free buffet and open bar. When TCS found out that McCuaig’s sisters, Joan and Kim, were also running, they extended the V.I.P. treatment to them.
“I feel so lucky to be chosen,” said McCuaig. “I am just overwhelmed with treatment I got…and humbled by the whole thing.”
McCuaig said that she typically runs three times a week but started running four times a week in anticipation of the marathon, which happened to be her second ever. She also actively swims and cycles as a member of Cornwall Sea Lions Masters, Cornwall Cycle Club and Cornwall Multi-Sport Club.
“It’s a neat challenge,” said McCuaig in regards to running. “It teaches you patience, teaches you to relax…to keep going, keep moving forward. It’s sort of like life: keep moving forward to a goal that you set for yourself.”
Even though the cross country running season for McCuaig’s school ended the same weekend as the NYC Marathon, some students have approached her who are interested in continuing running.
“It motivates me to give back to the kids,” said McCuaig. “Some day they could have the same experience I had.”
