Lizano targets hat-trick

For Costa Rican athlete César Lizano, this year’s TCS New York City Marathon is a chance to reconnect with a city that once tested him.

“In 2013, I had the opportunity to run the NYC Marathon, but it wasn’t a good day for me," he recalled.

"This year I want to synchronize with the positive vibe of New York City, breathe it all in and enjoy every kilometre. My goal is to reach Central Park strong and feed off the energy of the crowd to finish with everything I have.”

At 43, Lizano remains one of Costa Rica’s most accomplished distance runners. A former Olympian, he continues to compete at an elite level as a masters athlete, driven by the same pride that first pushed him to represent his country.

“It was my dream as a kid to wear the national colours,” he says. “I still give 100 percent in every session and every race. I feel the same passion I had 28 years ago when I began this journey.”

The reason for this enduring passion is simple, he says.

“I truly enjoy what I do, and I believe that’s the key. My family supports me in all my adventures. My youngest son even joins me for the final minutes of some races, and that motivates me to keep fighting for every goal I set.”

Lizano believes the hardest part of any marathon is the preparation.

“Race day is about trusting the work, managing the emotions and respecting the pace,” he said.

For those who hope to follow his path, his advice: “The body changes with age, but that doesn’t mean giving up. It’s about adjusting your approach, training with quality, recovering wisely and keeping the motivation alive.”

As he prepares to line up on Staten Island, Lizano knows exactly what awaits him. “Running the NYC Marathon is living a piece of my story with every kilometre, where effort blends with emotion and the city’s energy pushes me to the finish line.”