The Chilean miner who jogged in the tunnels while trapped underground not only will attend Sunday's New York City Marathon Ñ he wants to run it.
Marathon officials had invited Edison Pena to watch the race after hearing his story when the miners were rescued last month. They thought he could ride in the lead vehicle or hold the finish line tape, but never expected the Chilean consulate to tell them that Pena wanted to run.
New York Road Runners president Mary Wittenberg said at a luncheon Monday, "He absolutely, 100 per cent wants to participate."
Marathon organizers still are working to organize Pena's travel to New York and figure out exactly how to best honour him.
Pena was one of the 33 miners whose saga captivated the world when they were trapped for 69 days after an Aug. 5 collapse stranded them nearly a half-mile (800 meters) underground.