Jorge Torres Overcomes Loss, Returns To New York

The former University of Colorado standout and 2:13 marathoner lost his longtime coach and mentor, Greg Fedyski, in a car crash last year, but is returning to the ING New York City Marathon this year reinvigorated.

In the same horrific crash, Torres’ mother was injured, suffering a skull fracture.

“The accident affected me quite a bit, more than I thought,” Torres said. “I was kind of lying to myself, saying that it wasn’t affecting me and that I was training well. But how could it not be a distraction when you’re wondering if your mom is going to be all right and when you lose somebody close to you for the first time?”

While other top-seeded American runners like Dathan Ritzenhein, Shalane Flanagan, and Meb Keflezighi are in the spotlight, Torres has kept a low profile. And besides the loss of his coach and the injury of his mother, Torres’ training group under former marathon world-record holder, Steve Jones, disintegrated last year.

Still, Torres has put in the miles for New York and hopes to do well there.

“I have a twinkle in my eye that I would like to win the race. But if I improve on last year’s spot, at least I know I am heading in the right direction,” he said.

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