His appointment comes after Jim Heim, the race director for the past 13 years, stepped down in January.

"For me in this position, it will shed a tremendous light on the talent that's out there, the ability that is out there, the chance that you may be opening up the doors for somebody," said Metellus to ESPN, who was promoted from vice-president of events at New York Road Runners (NYRR), an organisation he has worked for since 2001.

NYRR recently saw an overhaul in management after an online petition was started by former and current NYRR employees regarding unchecked "racism, bias, and bullying".

Metellus added that his local roots to the New York City Marathon makes it particularly special for him.

"Being born and raised in the Bronx, my mom was a maid and my dad was a janitor - blue collar hard workers," he said.

"Organised sports wasn't something that was available to us, but when I was really young, everybody wanted to be the fastest kid on the block."

He joined the high school cross country and athletics teams and went on to work with the NYRR.

Metellus now wants to make memories as race director and sees a potential return to racing in November, if the COVID-19 situation has improved.

"The legacy I'd like to leave behind is for us to have a safe and enjoyable marathon this November - because I know that's going to be a moment that people look back at, just like in 2001 when he had a marathon two months after 9/11," he added.

"At the end of the day, what I would like is not to be the first and last.

"Who else am I opening up the doors for? 

"When I look at the industry right now, who's going to be the next person and how do I lay the groundwork for them."

The 2021 New York City Marathon is scheduled to take place on November 7, with organisers hoping it will see the return of the mass participation race.

In 2020, the mass start race was cancelled due to COVID-19 and a virtual edition held instead.