Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News
James Ellson missed the opportunity to run last year’s marathon with his father after Hurricane Sandy hit.
Like father, like son.
James Ellson, captain of the FDNY’s Rescue 3, ran an emotional first New York City Marathon Sunday in honor of his late dad, James Ellson Sr., who ran in 15 NYC marathons and was also a highly-decorated FDNY captain.
The elder Ellson began running at 45, and his son standing amid the spectators proudly cheered him on and supplied him with warm clothes and water.
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Then his dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005.
Last year, the inseparable pair realized the 2012 marathon might be the only opportunity for them to reverse roles, but Sandy happened.
“I trained right up and till the week before the marathon and then when Hurricane Sandy hit it was one of those things,” Ellson told The News. “My dad said, ‘Well, we will do it next year.’ That’s just the way he was. It was hard for me because his health was starting to deteriorate and time wasn’t on our side.”
PHOTOS: NEW YORK CITY MARATHON 2013
Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News
Ellson ran the marathon because he ‘wanted to honor’ his father, who passed away on Mother’s Day.
On Mother’s Day, James Ellson Sr. lost his ferocious battle with cancer. He was 75.
“I always said it was something I wanted to do,” the son said about a marathon. “I wanted to honor him.”
Ellson, 44, cheered on by his girlfriend Rosa and family, finished the 26.2-mile race in 3:05 and placed fourth in the FNDY’s elite running team.
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He said although he didn’t see his dad’s face in the crowd, he felt like he was cheering for 1017, Ellson’s race number.
“As I came down Fifth Avenue, which is the most grueling part as it’s a straight uphill, I just asked for a little help from him.”
Ellson said one of the most emotional moments of the race was running past Ladder House 102 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the firehouse where his dad worked.
“I really wanted to do this for my dad,” Ellson said. “I was so focused on doing what I needed to do to make my dad proud. He was my inspiration to do all the grueling training it takes.”
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via Great Local News: New York http://newyork.greatlocalnews.info
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