Vince Chiappetta is a co-founder of the New York City Marathon and former NYRR president (1968–1971). In 1970, while serving as NYRR president, Chiappetta and Fred Lebow spearheaded and co-directed the first New York City Marathon in Central Park, with 127 entrants, 55 finishers, and a $1 entry fee. Chiappetta finished 17th. A strong supporter of gender equality, Chiappetta long advocated for women to run alongside men, and convinced Nina Kuscsik to run the inaugural New York City Marathon. Born and raised in the Bronx, Chiappetta taught biology and coached at Yeshiva University for over 40 years. He began his running career at New York University in the mid-1950s and has since run more than 114 marathons.