Tina in ‘second’ gear
Knicks reporter up to marathon challenge
MSG Network’s Tina Cervasio is praying the Knicks’ home opener vs. the Sixers next Saturday night does not go into double overtime. Cervasio, starting her second season as the Knicks’ sideline reporter, will be running her second ING New York City Marathon Sunday, raising nearly $7,000 for the “Garden of Dreams Foundation.”
Cervasio has to rise at 4 a.m. Sunday morning for the 26.2-mile race after spending much of the week working the Knicks’ first road trip to Miami and Charlotte.
“I’m telling the players they better not shower first after the game, I’m going to get them before they get into the shower,” said Cervasio, who also does locker room interviews for MSG’s postgame show.
Cervasio, who ran track at Nutley (N.J.) High in the 1990s, does not want to wind up like fellow MSG broadcaster Mike Breen, who suffered through a painful journey in his second New York City Marathon, cramping at the 21-mile mark in 2002. Breen, in fact, gave Cervasio advice for avoiding “the second-marathon blues.” Cervasio ran her first New York Marathon last year, raising $7,000 for the Garden’s charity that provides money and programs for kids at risk. But when she began training in July, Cervasio struggled. “I couldn’t get out of bed,” she said. “I always loved running but it became a job.”
When Breen heard Cervasio complaining at the Las Vegas Summer League in July, he told her it is common to suffer complacency the second time. Breen warned Cervasio not to take any shortcuts in training, not to get cocky like he did. “He motivated me to get my butt in gear,” Cervasio said.
She did her last long run last Sunday — 15 miles — in the pouring rain. As she cuts back, Cervasio plans a four-miler Wednesday in Miami over the Biscayne Bridge. “Looking forward to running in the warmth,” she said.
At the 21-mile mark, First Avenue and 71st Street near Ronald McDonald House, a group of kids with signs, water, and hugs will greet Cervasio, who hopefully will be cramp-free.
Medal of honor
At the Central Park finish line, an expected 40,000 runners will be greeted by roars from the crowd, a shoulder to lean on — and a most treasured reward, the New York City Marathon finisher medal.
The Rumble got a first look at the golden medallion on an orange ribbon, and its inscription on the back, “40 Years of Fabulous Finishes in Central Park 1970-2009.” . . . Visitors to the Belfast City Marathon booth at the NYC Marathon Expo held at the Javits Center can enter for a chance to win a trip Northern Ireland’s capital city next year, including free entry to the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon on May 3, 2010, and travel and lodging accommodations.
Go to belfastcitymarathon.com or sign up Thursday through Sunday at the Javits Center.
Wrestlers’ ice gesture
It might not seem like a good fit at first, but with three years until the London Games, the local fundraising arm of USA Wrestling decided to give the Olympic women’s hockey team a fundraising lift heading into the Vancouver Games.
“Night of Champions” will be Nov. 9 at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, N.J., with all proceeds going to the Olympic women’s hockey team. Many members of the two-time defending gold medallists will be on hand, along with Olympic hero Mike Eruzione and world silver medalist wrestler Jake Herbert to meet fans and supporters. Debbie Vanderbeek, wife of Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek, is the chair of the event. For details, contact fran_brenner@natlmktg.com.
Steph keeping busy
Stephon Marbury, who announced to The Post he will not play this season, is at least filling up his free time for noble purposes.
Iglesia Services Inc. and Starbury Inc. are joining forces to meet the needs of students in the Rochester community. Rochester’s per capita child poverty rate is ninth in the nation.
Marbury announced plans to build a state-of-the-art facility for Rochester students. The facility would include tutoring, athletic, and health services. A press conference will be staged tomorrow in Rochester.
Service stars
The Nets’ Devin Harris and the Giants’ Justin Tuck were among the 25 athlete nominees announced this week for The Jefferson Awards for Public Service. The 10 finalists will be announced at the annual sports and philanthropy lunch Dec. 8 at the Edison Ballroom, with the winner receiving a grant for his or her charity.
Fans can vote and see all the nominees — including Venus Williams, Steve Nash and Cole Hamels — at allstarshelpingkids.org.
Jerricho Cotchery will not play today in Oakland, but the Jets receiver will be the guest of honor Nov. 17 at Gallagher’s Steak House for “Lunch with A Purpose” to benefit his foundation for underprivileged children. Ex-Jets Ray Lucas and Greg Buttle will attend the three-course luncheon ($69). Tickets at (212) 972-5337 or cotcheryfoundation.com.
Sightings
Nets center Brook Lopez getting a tour of the Batmobile from his hero, the original Batman, Adam West, at Big Apple Comic Con last Sunday at Pier 94. . . . Music fan and Jets record-setting running back Thomas Jones, spending the Friday night before his 210-yard game vs. the Bills at NYC’s Gotham hall for Heineken’s Red Star Soul concert featuring Ludacris and surprise performer Nas. Also in attendance were Al Harrington and Dwight Freeney.
Richter saves it for later
Mike Richter turned down approaches about running for congressional seats in both Connecticut and in the Lake Placid region of New York, but it sounds as if someday there will be a ring where he will toss his hat.
“The idea is fantastic,” he said Wednesday night before being honored with the Lester Patrick Award for service to hockey in the United States. “Public service is about making this place better. We have a lot of incredible challenges, and maybe someday I will think it a really noble calling.
But at the time I am happy getting business experience in the real world [he is a partner in Environmental Capital Partners, a private equity firm investing in green companies] and having time for my three children [ages 9, 7 and 5]. There will be time.”