NYC Marathon Runner Plans To Knit During The Race To Raise Awareness For The Alzheimer’s Association
Most runners competing in this Sunday’s New York City Marathon are preparing by carb loading, foam rolling, and hydrating. David Babcock, on the other hand, is brushing up on his knitting skills. Babcock, who is sponsored by Lion Brand Yarm Company, plans on finishing the NYC Marathon in less than four hours while knitting a scarf that will end up being 4 inches wide and 5 feet long, to raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“I learned how to knit about the same time I learned how to run,” Babcock told the NY Daily News. “I thought, ‘Hey, this is so smooth. I can do something with my hands.’ My body naturally knows what to do, and my mind is focusing on each stitch. It does pass the time really quickly.”
This will be Babcock’s first NYC Marathon, but not the first marathon he’s run while knitting a scarf. Last year, while running the Kansas City Marathon, Babcock knitted his way into the record books by finishing a 12-foot-long scarf and the race in five hours, 48 minutes, and 27 seconds. He holds the record for knitting the longest scarf while running a marathon. In addition to being shorter, Babcock’s NYC Marathon will also stand from his previous work with the phrase “I’ll Remember For You” in honor of caregivers and family members caring for an Alzheimer’s patient.