Queens Man Walks the NYC Marathon in Record 8:43:34, Becomes Official Last Finisher
When Joel Kaufman of Queens walked across the TCS New York City Marathon finish line last year, after most runners and spectators had long since left Central Park, he earned an unusual honor.
The Official Last Finisher
"I got a call the next day from New York Road Runners," Kaufman told The Post. "[They] said, ‘You’re the official last finish.’ I said, ‘That is so great. I got a title that nobody can take away from me.’ It’s not like being the 57,000th finisher."
A Walk for a Cause
Kaufman’s time of 8 hours, 43 minutes and 34 seconds – a pace of 19 minutes and 59 seconds per mile – was his slowest in the decade he’s been walking the NYC Marathon to support people battling leukemia and lymphoma blood cancers.
The 66-year-old retired high school math teacher, known as "Whammy," will be back for Sunday’s marathon – and this time he’ll be starting two hours earlier as a nod to his inspirational story.
A Phalanx of Personal Trinkets
Kaufman wears a cape that spotlights leukemia patients and those who have helped him raise over $150,000. He also sports an American flag headband, a Jewish star, a military-style dog tag calling for the return of Israeli hostages, a shirt highlighting the Team in Training fund-raising program for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and a necklace of colorful feet that celebrates his pal’s recovery after a stem cell transplant.
A Journey of Inspiration
A longtime hiker, Kaufman was inspired to start walking the NYC Marathon in 2015 by a childhood friend who developed leukemia and has since died. He finished the race in 7 hours and 40 minutes.
Marathon Training
Kaufman typically trains by walking 5 miles every other day. He walks instead of runs to reduce the chance he’ll get injured. That means he’s on the course for a very long time. His fastest NYC Marathon was 6 hours, 53 minutes and 4 seconds in 2017. His "dream time" is 6 hours, 30 minutes.
Conclusion
Kaufman’s story is one of perseverance, compassion, and determination. As he plans to keep walking more marathons, he inspires others to do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did you become the official last finisher of the TCS New York City Marathon?
A: I walked across the finish line after most runners and spectators had left Central Park, earning me the title of the official last finisher.
Q: What is your approach to training for the marathon?
A: I walk 5 miles every other day, which allows me to reduce the risk of injury and be on the course for a long time.
Q: What is your goal with every marathon?
A: My goal is to "finish and live," which means crossing the finish line and going back to my daily life.
Q: How much money have you raised to support people battling leukemia and lymphoma blood cancers?
A: I have raised over $150,000.
