Sanford native makes running debut in NYC marathon
Dec. 2—Don't tell Gerri Brommer that she's too old at 58 to compete in her first marathon — one of the most elite races in the world.
Brommer, who grew up in Sanford and now lives in Apex, was among the 51,000 runners who took part in the 26.2-mile New York City Marathon on Nov. 5.
She finished the race in 4:27, about three minutes shy of her goal of 4:30.
Brommer works for the V Foundation for Cancer Research that was formed in 1993 to honor the late Jim Valvano, the coach of the N.C. State University men's basketball team for several years. Valvano led the Wolfpack to its stunning upset in the 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament by beating the No. 1 Houston Cougars.
Brommer ran the race as a member of Team V that was running to raise money for cancer research.
"I thought why not do it for a good cause, for cancer research. It's a cause that's near and dear to my heart," she said.
She signed on when the application process opened in early 2023.
"I said yes before I could say no," said Brommer.
She began researching training plans and found one written, specifically for first-time marathoners, by Hal Higdon, who is known for his training plans.
Brommer said she did short runs three times a week and lengthy on the weekends. She eventually worked up to a 20-mile run.
On race day, she caught a bus at 6:15 a.m., thinking there would be waiting time until her group started at 10:55. The bus ride took 90 minutes, Brommer said.
She waited another 2.5 hours upon reaching the Runners Village.
"I did a lot of research on what to do to wait out the time," Brommer said. "I didn't want to use my phone for music. I wanted to save it for the race."
She brought a paperback novel to occupy her time. Rules say that runners must leave behind extra items when their wave is called. The property is collected and donated to various charities, she said.
"I wore a sweatshirt, gloves, a blanket and a baby floatie to keep from sitting on the hard ground," Brommer said of the items she had to leave behind.
"When I got to the start line, I was surprised. I wasn't super-nervous during the wait."
The runners started on Staten Island, crossed the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to Brooklyn, offering a "really cool view," Brommer said. The route took the runners through each of the city's five boroughs.
Spectators filled both sides of the streets, cheering the runners on, she said.
"Every mile I was not on a bridge, every single step, there were people on the side cheering," Brommer said.
Among the spectators were Brommer's daughter and two sisters who had come to cheer her on. They took the subway, made four stops and saw her each time. Brommer said she stopped for hugs and pictures and continued her journey.
Brommer's daughter put her playlist together for the run and surprised her mother by inserting audio clips from family members to encourage her.
"Some were funny and some were inspirational," she said.
At the half-way point, Brommer said, she began to falter.
"I was fine until about mile 16," she said. "I had energy pills to take along the way. The energy pills hit my stomach and I picked the run back up."
Brommer hit the runner's wall — out of energy — around mile 20.
"The last six (miles) were really hard and I definitely started walking a little big. I didn't want to walk, so I tried walking a little and running," Brommer said. "The last six miles I definitely was doing intervals, but more of the running,"
The last four miles of the route were around and in Central Park.
"When I saw mile 25, I knew I only had a mile to go," Brommer said.
Photos of the runners were taken when they crossed the finish line, she said, so "I knew you needed to look like you're happy and smile."
Brommer made it, crossing the line ahead of the time goal she had set, and then her leg muscles cramped, severely enough that she had to seek out the medical team.
But she made it to the finish line.
"I accomplished what I set out to do," Brommer said. "It was an amazing experience. I'm glad I did it."
