John Riordan: Marathon's return brings out best of New York City's humanity

After the pandemic took away the largest event of the NYC calendar, the locals found a way to bring back its magic

Runners participate in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon in New York on November 7, 2021. - After a forced break in 2020, the New York City Marathon is back on for its 50th edition, and with it the countless opportunities to run it for charity, an industry that has become a staple, and hopes to take off again after the pandemic. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

 “All right Johnny Boy?!” 

I was just over a mile into Sunday’s 50th New York City Marathon and already I was able to enjoy a familiar face and a familiar sound. Right there in the midst of, infamously, the most difficult opening salvo of any world major, Paul McDaid landed at my right shoulder, smiling and shaking my hand.