German Silva's comeback win at the 1994 New York City Marathon, after a wrong turn, catapulted him into the record books — and fame when he also won the race the following year. (Photos by One To Beam Up)
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A Legendary Wrong Turn, Then A World Touring Second Act

November 4, 2024
A wrong turn on Mile 25 of the 1994 New York City Marathon — and subsequent comeback win — turned German Silva into a running cult hero instantly.

And he followed up the theatrics the following year by becoming one of handful of runners to win the race back-to-back.

Silva is still an active fixture in the sport 30 years later. But over two decades into his retirement from competition he now helps runners from his native Mexico achieve their dream of participating in major marathons — as a tour operator.

The images below are a glimpse into the impact his wrong turn moment still holds in the sports as he led a large shakeout run to the site of his infamous moment in 1994. Silva's post-competition career as tour operator is thriving, as he has been able to convert his fame from victories at the 1994 and 1995 marathons in New York into credibility from a proven winner.
Attendees at the shakeout run hung on Silva’s every word as he described the suspenseful final moments of his dramatic win in 1994.
Silva’s touring company brought about 150 Mexican nationals to New York for marathon week and the atmosphere around him was consistently festive.
Banners of past New York Road Runners Hall of Fame inductees line the light poles leading up to the final 800 meters of the marathon route. Silva and George Spitz are members of the 2014 class.
Silva posed for numerous photos before and after the shakeout run as fans and customers from his tour company gathered to get a glimpse of who many consider a Mexican national hero.
At the shakeout run, the event was more about reliving the moment of the wrong turn and capturing photos of the exact spot when Silva realized a win in 1994 was about to slip away.
At the Mile 26 maker, the crowd at the shakeout run listened as Silva explained his final push to win 1994’s race.
Before the run, Silva signed copies of his book “Germán Silva: Running through the veins of Mexico” which detailed his 3,100 mile journey running the length of the country in 2022.
Outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, where many of the professional athletes in Sunday’s marathon were staying, the atmosphere was festive as Silva’s fans waited for a chance to greet him.
After signing numerous autographs, as a 5K race took place nearby, Silva used a quiet moment to retrace the steps of his fateful wrong turn.
At the marathon expo at Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Convention Center, Silva picked up his bib as he planned to pace his friend, journalist Jere Longman. They crossed the finish line in 6:07:42.

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