LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Theodore "Ted" Corbitt, posthumously,
upon the occasion of the renaming of the intersection of 228th Street
and Broadway as Ted Corbitt Way in the Bronx, New York, in recognition
of his pioneering and remarkable life

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Theodore "Ted" Corbitt, posthumously, upon the occasion of the NYC City
Council renaming of the intersection of 228th Street and Broadway as Ted
Corbitt Way in the Bronx, New York, in recognition of his pioneering and
remarkable life; and
WHEREAS, Ted Corbitt of Yonkers, New York, died on December 12, 2007,
at the age of 88; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed man is considered by many to be the father of
American long distance running; he was an elite marathon runner, pioneer
in ultramarathon races, and a leader in many organizations dedicated to
the sport of distance running; and
WHEREAS, Theodore "Ted" Corbitt was born on a cotton farm near Dunbar-
ton, South Carolina on January 31, 1919; he had to overcome much adver-
sity as an African American during this time period; and
WHEREAS, Ted Corbitt ran at home on his family's farm, as well as on
the track team in high school; he continued his running career at the
University of Cincinnati where he attained his bachelor's degree in
education; and
WHEREAS, After serving his country as a member of the United States
Army during World War II, Ted Corbitt earned a graduate degree in phys-
ical therapy from New York University; he was the chief physical thera-
pist at the International Center for the Disabled in Manhattan, and
taught physical therapy at Columbia University and N.Y.U.; he practiced
physical therapy for 40 years and wrote widely on the subject; and
WHEREAS, Ted Corbitt ran his first marathon in Boston, in 1951, and
participated in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland; in 1954, he won
the Philadelphia Marathon and the Yonkers Marathon to become the United
States National Marathon Champion; he would go on to set numerous
records in distance events during his career; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, this remarkable figure helped found the Road Runners
Club of America and served later as its president; he established guide-
lines to measure courses accurately for the thousands of nationally
certified races; and
WHEREAS, Ted Corbitt was among the first five athletes inducted into
the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, New York, in 1998;
and
WHEREAS, In 1959, as president of the New York Road Runners Club, Ted
Corbitt organized the first ultramarathon event in the United States;
this 30-mile event, called the Cherry Tree, was a forerunner of the New
York City Marathon; Ted Corbitt went on to win this notable race, and
would go on to organize and win many more; and
WHEREAS, Ted Corbitt ran 199 marathons and ultramarathons, winning 30
of these races; he ended his running career at the age of 55, but
continued to participate in ultramarathons; at the age of 81, he walked
240 miles in a six day race, and the following year, walked 303 miles at
the same event; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Ruth (Butler), Ted
Corbitt is survived by his one son, Gary; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Theodore "Ted" Corbitt, posthumously, upon the occasion of the NYC
City Council renaming of the intersection of 228th Street and Broadway
as Ted Corbitt Way in the Bronx, New York, in recognition of his
pioneering and remarkable life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Ted Corbitt.