Steve Harrison is running hard — both against Rep. Vito Fossella and in preparation for the New York City Marathon next Sunday, just 48 hours before Election Day.
Couldn’t he just pick one race?
Indeed, critics have argued that the underdog Harrison should devote every waking minute to running his campaign, not training for the arduous 26.2-mile, five-borough trek — but the candidate says that whatever doesn’t kill him makes his campaign stronger.
“Running for office is physically demanding, but I handle it a lot easier thanks to running,” said Harrison, a regular jogger who hasn’t been in the New York City Marathon since 1986. “It builds your stamina.”
Training also gives him time to strategize. “I like to run alone,” said Harrison. “I do a lot of thinking.”
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the marathon route starts in the Staten Island part of the 13th Congressional District and continues up Fourth Avenue through the Bay Ridge portion.
On Marathon Day, Nov. 5, sports fans will see if all of Harrison’s running gets him to the finish line. Two days later, voters will see if Harrison ends up outruning Fossella.
