A Chilean miner will have to dig deep to conquer his next harrowing physical challenge — the New York City Marathon.
Edison Peña, one of 33 miners who survived 69 days trapped in a Chilean gold and copper mine, accepted an invitation to run in Sunday’s big event, organizers said.
Peña earned his nickname, “The Runner,” because he logged up to six miles a day through the underground tunnels, killing time during his ordeal.
Race organizers, aware that Peña wanted to run in the marathon, were ready to roll out the red carpet and invite him to various ceremonial events.
They had no idea Peña actually wanted to pound the 26.2 miles of Big Apple pavement.
“We [were] inviting him to be a guest; we [were] not inviting him to run. That’s nothing short of mind-blowing,” said New York Road Runners president and race director Mary Wittenberg.
“Now we’ve had several conversations, and he wants to run. He absolutely 100 percent wants to participate.”
Peña, 34, was one of the most depressed of the trapped men, asking rescuers for Elvis music and a picture of the sun.
Now Peña — who was the 12th miner rescued, at 10:11 a.m. on Oct. 13 — will get a chance to run in one of the world’s most famous races.
“He’s very confident he can make it,” said Chilean Consul General Julio Fiol.
“He’s been preparing for this. The idea in his mind is to participate and come to the finish line. He’s not going to beat anyone, but he’s practicing to finish.”
Wittenberg said their Chilean guest will inspire all runners.
“People were talking about [how] he’d been running while he was in the mines,” Wittenberg said.
“We saw as they were coming out of the mines and said we have to invite this guy to New York, because runners in New York are going to want to celebrate this guy.”
The 5-foot-5, 145-pound Peña is expected to arrive Thursday with his wife and take in some sightseeing before going home on Monday night.
His entire trip is on the New York Road Runners’ bill, the grateful Chilean consul general said.
“They are really taking care of him,” Fiol said. “They are covering all of his expenses, and he’s very happy this is going to happen.”