School administrator runs NYC Marathon

District 24’s director of finance and operations was feeling the strain several days after he ran in the New York City Marathon on Sunday, but said he was proud he made it to the end the 26-mile race.

“I completed it,” said Jack Mitchell. “I’m in one piece.”

Mitchell, 40, started training in August. He finished after his target time of five hours, crossing the finish line between five and six hours. He said he was just glad he made it to the end. He didn’t qualify for the race, but entered as a runner for a charity — iMentor, a nonprofit that facilitates mentoring relationships meant to encourage low-income children to graduate high school and go to college. Mitchell said he raised more than $2,000 for the organization.

“It was the most phenomenal experience,” he said, recalling the thunderous support from the multitude of people lining the run’s route. “You feel almost like a rock star with so many people watching you go through there.”

It was Mitchell’s first time participating, prompted by several changes in his life, namely his father’s death in March. He said he felt a surge of emotion when he passed Mount Sinai Hospital on 5th Avenue, where his father died.

There were times he experienced cramping or a tight hamstring. He paused to stretch or slowed to a walk, but it was spectators’ encouragement that helped keep him going, he said. His wife and two young children camped out at mile 19 to watch him pass.

“You just keep going,” Mitchell said, “even if you have to walk a little bit.”