Big New York City Marathon News, Including Limited Edition ASICS NYC Shoes

November 3 is right around the corner, and after the 2012 New York City Marathon was canceled (for the first time in its 42-year history) due to Hurricane Sandy, runners are more excited than ever for this year's race. The ING New York City Marathon goes through all five boroughs and past approximately 2 million cheering spectators. This year around 48,000 runners will be participating in the NYC race, including many of the world's top runners. In fact, half of all participants in the NYC marathon are from outside the U.S., vying for the $800,000 in prize money.

While it's a joy to watch all of the elite runners, fans will be sorry to miss American Ryan Hall. He pulled out of this year's marathon due to a hip injury. While true running fans may mourn his absence, pop culture fans (or people obsessed with the 90s) may be pleased to know that former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson will be running the 2013 NYC marathon. According to the NY Daily News, Pamela wears a Stella McCartney sports bra and, she says, “I feel like I’m totally comfortable running. No problem. I have support where I need it.” That's a pretty huge endorsement for Stella McCartney.

Hopefully, Ryan Hall will be back next year but long-term title sponsor ING will not. Starting next year ING will be replaced by India's technology giant, Tata Consultancy Services.

While ING may be pulling out, footwear titan ASICS doesn't look like they are going anywhere. This will be ASICS 15th consecutive year as a sponsor and they are once again releasing  Limited Edition ASICS NYC shoes. ASICS is putting out two of its most popular shoe styles in special colorways to celebrate the 2013 NYC Marathon. Both the Asics Gel Kayano 20 NYC and the ASICS Gel Nimbus 15 NYC will be available in Flash Yellow/Island Blue/Royal for men and White/Electric Orange/Orchid for women. The shoes will also have NYC marathon branding on the insoles, tongue and heel.  It makes sense that ASICS has chosen two of its biggest shoes for this marathon, after all, what else could serve to represent New York besides the biggest and the best.