His appointment comes after 13-year race director Jim Heim resigned in January.

“For me in this position it will shed a tremendous light on the talent that is out there, the ability that is out there, the chance that you open doors for someone,” Metellus told ESPN, who was promoted to vice president of events at New York Road Runners (NYRR), an organization he has worked for since 2001.

The NYRR recently saw a leadership overhaul after an online petition was launched by former and current NYRR employees regarding unchecked “racism, prejudice and bullying”.

Metellus added that his local roots with the New York City Marathon made it especially special to him.

“Being born and raised in the Bronx, my mom was a maid and my dad was a janitor – hard working blue collar workers,” he said.

“Organized sports weren’t something that was available to us, but when I was really young everyone wanted to be the fastest kid in the neighborhood.”

He joined the high school cross country and track teams and continued to work with the NYRR.

Metellus now wants to make memories as race director and sees a potential return to racing in November, if the COVID-19 situation improves.

“The legacy I would like to leave is that we have a safe and enjoyable marathon in November – because I know it will be a time that people will remember, like in 2001 when he had a marathon two months later. September, ”he added.

“At the end of the day, what I want is not to be the first and the last.

“Who else am I opening the doors to?”

“When I look at the industry right now, who will be the next person and how can I set the stage for them.”

The 2021 New York Marathon is scheduled to take place on November 7, with organizers hoping it will see the mass participation race return.

In 2020, the mass start race was canceled due to COVID-19 and a virtual edition held instead.