Chilean miner to run in New York marathon

The Chilean miner who jogged in the tunnels while trapped underground not only will attend Sunday's New York City Marathon - he wants to run it.

Marathon officials invited Edison Pena to watch the race after hearing his story when the miners were rescued last month.

They thought he could ride in the lead vehicle or hold the finish line tape, but never expected the Chilean consulate to tell them that Mr Pena wanted to run.

"He absolutely, 100 % wants to participate," New York Road Runners president Mary Wittenberg said at a luncheon.

Marathon organisers still were working to organise Mr Pena's travel to New York and figure out exactly how to best honour him.

Mr Pena was one of the 33 miners whose saga captivated the world when they were trapped for 69 days after an August 5 collapse stranded them nearly a half-mile underground.

Marathon officials had been in contact with the consulate since the rescue, and last week they received word that Mr Pena had accepted their invitation to attend.

Then came the news that Mr Pena was not content to just be an observer.

"I cannot wait to meet this man," Ms Wittenberg said.