"Experience in the marathon helps a lot," said Hellebuyck, whose main rivals have run only a handful of marathons among them.
Other highlights of the season include five marathons, among them Wall to Wall Stravinsky (March 18), an expanded Dance Sampler (April 29) and the 25th anniversary of Symphony Space's annual James Joyce celebration, Bloomsday on Broadway (June 16).
"Everyone else is fair game," says Fahnstock & Co. analyst Fadel Gheit, who cites Occidental Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum and USX-Marathon among the possible players in consolidation in the weeks and months ahead.
There were no marathon runners among them.
The high demand to run the marathon, especially among foreign runners, would continue unabated, they said.
Mr. Brahimi presided over marathon talks among Afghan leaders earlier this month in Bonn.
For many retailers in the area, the day of the marathon is among the busiest of the year.
On Thursday, after a marathon deliberation among state representatives, Governor Nikki Haley approved a plan to lower the flag one last time.
Clutching the portable phone, she does various chores during her friend's marathon calls; among them, removing her makeup without looking in the mirror.
