Norbert Sander

Norbert William Sander, Jr. (August 21, 1942 – March 17, 2017) was an American physician and runner who won the New York City Marathon in 1974. He has been described as "one of the most influential track and field figures in the city's history." He is the only New Yorker to have won the city's marathon. He served as president and CEO for the The Armory Foundation, one of the United States' highest quality indoor track and field venues, host to the Millrose Games, and the site of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame since 2002.

During his running career he placed fourth at the 1965 US Championship over 30 km and took part in the 1968 Olympic marathon trials. He set new personal bests in the marathon in 1973, winning the Yonkers Marathon, then placing second at the New York Marathon behind Tom Fleming with a time of 2:23:38 hours. He came close to that time with a win at the Mardi Gras Marathon in the following year. In addition to his 1974 win in New York (where he beat Bill Rodgers, he also took part in the Boston Marathon in 1975 and 1976. He was a member of the Irish American Athletic Club.

Born in Yonkers to Norbert Sander, Sr. (a pilot) and Gertrude Carroll (a purchasing agent), he attended Sacred Heart High School before moving to Fordham Preparatory School in The Bronx. He studied science at Fordham University and competed for their track and cross country running teams. He qualified as a physician after studying at University of Lausanne in Switzerland and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in his native New York. He married Bridget Bennett Sander and the couple had four daughters. While practicing medicine in the Bronx in the 1980s he became increasingly involved in athletics administration and became a board member of the New York Road Runners. He spearheaded the push for renewal of the Fort Washington Avenue Armory, which was formerly a track and field venue but had fell into disrepair as a homeless shelter.