TCS New York City Marathon

Unbelievable. This race was something so special and epic that is is hard to put into words. I flew across the country for this race and believe you me, it was worth every penny. The volunteers, the expo, the race everything was so organized and executed perfectly. Running a marathon isn’t easy, but the energy that New York brought to the race was simply magical. Granted the course isn’t a PR or flat by any means, but who cares! The Frank Sinatra «New York New York at the beginning and playing Billy Joel’s «You may be right» at Columbus circle brought me to tears. Well done NY. Well done. As a runner, this race needs to be on your bucket list.

Previously ING, we finally attended this year and watched from Sunset Park before Smorgasburg and enjoyed the energy, with front-​row spectating and a lot of families & friends around.

Your first marathon will always be about crossing the finish line. Your second marathon is about trying to relive your first marathon experience and attempt to beat your time. Your third is all about strategy and trying to get your PR (personal record). This past weekend was my third NYC marathon and I have to say it was the toughest. I had so many dark moments throughout the course, I thought that for once, I was not going to make it to the finish line. I even thought about speed dialing my husband to come get me at mile 21, where I completely had to stop because both of my legs locked up and couldn’t even move. This is when I hit a major wall and most of it was mental. I told myself, «Heck no, I will finish this even if I had to crawl it.» Then I started gaining some momentum after mile 21 because I knew that in just 5.2 miles, I will be done. But those remaining 5.2 miles are also the toughest miles. Those miles are the real test of the physical training and pretty much the «start» of the marathon. Overall, I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t PR. I was 10 minutes slower than my 2^nd marathon but was still surprised that I finished at a faster than expected time given the more painful experience I had this time around. At the end of the day, it’s all about finishing it. I didn’t let the dark moments consume me. Gotta get that medal! Unlike the previous NYC marathons, the weather was abnormally hot for a marathon. I was overdressed, which sort of contributed to my slower pace. I was sweating a lot by mile 1 and definitely needed hydration. They usually recommend layers at the start in Staten Island, but this time, there was no need. I actually wished it rained just to feel a little cooler.
Thanks again to NYRR and volunteers for pulling this massive event together without a hitch! I may not have the runner’s high as I did in the past after the marathon, but I will be running this again in the near future.

Worst. Walking tour. Ever.
I wanted to take a walking tour of New York City, and I figured I’d go with TCS NYC Marathon. I had heard good things about their tour, and and they had some good reviews online, so I went in with high hopes. But boy, was I disappointed.
First of all, the tour cost a whopping $ 255! Usually the walking tours I take are free and tip-​based, so I was really taken aback by the price. But I thought that if it was that expensive, it was probably a one-​on-​one tour or an exclusive, small group experience. So I was surprised when I showed up in Staten Island and saw that there were 50,000 going on the tour. WTF?
Luckily they split us up into smaller groups («waves») that departed at slightly different times, so that it wasn’t all 50,000 of us at once. But I was in the last group, so I had to wait around for a while. And the only toilets were porta-​potties. Usually these walking tours have an agreement with a local café so that participants can use a real restroom, but this wasn’t the case with TCS NYC Marathon. It just felt a bit cheap and dirty.
When the tour started, many of the participants realized they had overdressed. The instructions we received from TCS NYC Marathon suggested we dressed in layers, but it was clearly too warm for that once we were on the Verrazano-​Narrows Bridge. So people just started shedding their extra layers and discarding them on the side of the road! Had I known the other participants were such barbarians, I would have surely tried to find another walking tour!
Once we started going, the scenery was beautiful. But I never got to learn anything about the city because I couldn’t hear our tour guide! I figured they must have been at the front of the group, but as hard as I tried to go faster and catch up, I was always several thousand people behind. Maybe if they gave the tour guide a really big megaphone or something, we could have all heard them. Well, the one good thing about never seeing them is that I didn’t have to tip them.
One thing that confused me, though, was that there were so many locals hanging out along the tour, screaming at us and trying to get high fives. Have they never seen tourists? I started giving high fives when we first got into Brooklyn, but there were just too many people, so eventually I stopped. Just a note to New Yorkers: stop being so needy! Or if you really need to high five someone, high five each other.
Toward the later part of the tour, I really started to get concerned. There was a woman who collapsed when we were in the Bronx, and while a few of the people in our group stopped to check that she was okay, nearly everyone else kept going on! If I were leading a tour group and somebody took ill, I’d make sure to stop the tour until they were taken care of. But I guess New York stops for no one.
They didn’t advertise how long the tour would take, and so I was agitated when we were about five and a half hours in and I was still two miles from the end. I was hoping for a bit of a shorter tour, and it seemed like others were, too. One gentleman was limping, and it looked like he was in a lot of pain, but he seemed determined to go on the whole tour; I guess he wanted to get his $ 255 worth. There were other people holding hands and supporting each other at the end, which makes me think they weren’t told how long the tour would be either. This is really an unfortunate oversight, and I hope that the tour leaders correct this in the future
The only real upside is that we were offered Gatorade every 13 minutes or so. Most walking tours don’t do that, so bravo. Though with all the advertising, it felt a bit like product placement. Just sayin’
Maybe it was better when ING was in charge, but now that TCS has taken over, I just can’t recommend it as a walking tour.

Absolutely the most memorable and intense marathon in the world. After running this, you join an elite group of people who can forever say they ran the NYC Marathon. Marathon day is awesome and you’ll feel like royalty in your medal and parka after finishing. The route is nice and visits all five boroughs, though only briefly in Staten Island and the Bronx. You’re in Brooklyn for almost half of it. Coming from Jersey is a pain as the shuttle is convenient, but you get in so early you end up sitting in the cold with muscles tightening for several hours before the start. Bring clothes you aren’t attached to to ditch at the start line. Probably the best organized race due to the stature of the event.

Ran it, loved it!
Still unhappy with how they handled the hurricane cancellation.

What a race of a lifetime! The spectators were great and everywhere. Even with high winds and cold temperatures everyone was so kind. Thank you to everyone who showed me kindness (the guy who let me jump in the bathroom line so I wouldn’t miss my wave start, the guy who shared his blanket at the start line, the lady who let me borrow her stick to message out my legs that were killing me, the police officers keeping us safe, the water stop volunteers, the volunteers at the start line, and the volunteers at the finish line). I had a blast and really enjoyed seeing and talking to so many runners with their medals on after the race. I even met a new friend after the race. Thank you New York for a great race!

This is the granddaddy of marathons. The biggest marathon and one of the most fun times of my life. I think this was number 10 for marathons for me and it was amazing how the city supports the runners. I ran NYC in 2013 after the year it was cancelled and after Boston. Water stops, the music, the people along the way… this was so well organized. If you are looking for a marathon to run you should consider this one.

My 6^th marathon happened yesterday morning. I completed in 3hrs 59 minutes which was a new PB. I was so happy!
The race itself was brilliant. Really well organised, water and gatorade every two miles.
The crowds were amazing from the first step until the last.
I would strongly recommend this marathon and this great city to anyone

I really hate this marathon. It prevents me from doing simple things like going to the market, taking my dogs to doggy day care, and getting food delivered to my home. I live off first avenue in the 60s and it’s horrendous. What’s the point?

My 400^th review!
On May 29, 2013, my application to run in the New York Marathon was finally accepted, after being rejected the previous 2 years. This was my first marathon and what better even to run than New York? I’ve ran a number of half marathons in San Francisco, but it’s nowhere near in comparison. I never knew the commitment it took to run a marathon; such as waking up at 5:30 AM on a weekend for a long run.
With Boston in the back of my mind, I felt really safe throughout the entire run. The US Coast Guard escorted us to Staten Island and NYPD was at almost every block during the run. I’m humbled and inspired by runners that were; blind, in there 80’s, another with multiple sclerosis, and some with prosthetic legs.
Imagine 2 million supporters out on the streets from start to finish cheering you on. People from all around the world with the same goal — finish the 26.2 miles. The crowds made you feel like a rock star, even though we were just your every day runner. Even as you’re hitting the ‘wall’, the energy of the crowds rallying you on because they want you to succeed, is an experience unlike anything other that I’ve felt. My #1 cheerleaders, my other half and daughter were waiting for me at the finish line. Crossing the finish line was pure joy.
After the run, we had to walk another mile to exit the marathon. At the time, I felt miserable. But the marathon organizers did compensate by having their volunteers wrap a poncho around you. This was probably one of the most amazing experiences of the run.
One bathroom tip! When you arrive at Staten Island, go to the nearby Dunkin Donuts to drop off your kids at the pool. The line must’ve been over an hour long at the ferry station. Buy a doughnut or coffee and it will be the best $ 2 you spent!
On a personal note, I was able to share my experience with my Dad who grew up in NY. I mentioned the crowds, running through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Manhatten. He smiled as I described how I felt running through his hometown. He went onto pass the following week. He always used to sing Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York’, which was the song played as we started the run.
The NYC marathon was one of the best days of my life, something I’ll never forget and always cherish. I hope to run it again someday. Thank you New York!

WOOOO MY 600TH REVIEW!!! Time to party once I get the feelings back in all of my toes and stop hobbling up and down the stairs!
I just ran the ING NYC Marathon on Sunday and it was my very first marathon.
Actually, it was my very first everything… I never ran an official 5K or 10K or half marathon before this whole process. Ever. Yeah, I kind of woke up one day and randomly decided to sign up for this and do it because I didn’t feel challenged enough in my own life… I must be crazy. I trained for 4 months in hot and freezing cold weather with my charity Team for Kids. In the middle of training I discovered I had leg problems I didn’t even know you could have and had to have physical therapy. The end result? I went from being someone who never ran more than 3 – 5 miles at one time in her life to finishing a 26.2 mile run in just under 5 hours.
I… still can’t believe I did this. Never in my life did I think I could do a marathon. Just goes to show you that you can always surprise yourself and prove yourself wrong. The NYC Marathon itself is one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences one can have. From the start at the Verrazano Bridge in Staten Island to the very end in Central Park, you and 50,000+ runners all have the same goal– cross the damn finish line no matter what. Throughout the difficult course, everyone is rallying you on because they want you to succeed. It’s such an amazing thing, knowing that.
You’ll never forget the bands on 4^th Avenue, the gruesome uphill battle on the infamous 59^th Street bridge, the roaring crowds on 1^st, the amazing choirs in Harlem, the Japanese drums in the Bronx, the insuppressible energy of those around you cheering you on when you’ve obviously hit the «wall» and the feeling that radiates throughout your entire body once you’ve crossed that line.
I think I can honestly say that my life will never be the same. Even if I never run another 26.2 miles, I am now and will always be a marathoner.

I ran this race yesterday morning having run 30+ previous marathons. Getting to the race start took awhile but wasn’t painful between the 6:30 ferry and bus to the fort. Upon arrival I had about an hour before my wave 1 corrals opened and 2 hours until race time. The startling village was fairly comfortable and surprisingly spacious. After grabbing a coffee and a bagel and waiting for a bit I got into my corral and waited a bit longer. Finally around a half an hour before the race started we were moved again before waiting for the race to start.
As for the race itself, man were there a lot people. This was good when speaking about the crowds but not so much the race itself. At around mile 3.5 I was finally starting to get comfortably paced and the crowd thinning out when we merged with one of the other start groups. This happened again at mile 7 too. My only other complaint was the short length of early aid stations. Blink and you were by the Gatorade. Later in the race they got longer and better, at least in my opinion. Finally the race course was nice and while we went through all 5 boroughs, I am not sure I really saw much that was quintessential New York. The bridges were also longer and tougher than I expected leading me to a subpar 3:32:xx finish.
The bottom line for me is that I will not be running this race again in the future. Was it an experience that I was glad to have? You betcha but that was mostly due to the crowd. The long transportation/​wait times were rough and personally I am happier running local marathons.

How does this not get 5 stars?
First, value. I know a lot of people complain about the entry fee, but it is pretty amazing how much time, money, sweat, and security goes into this production. You could not BUY this experience otherwise, so suck it up and pay. Even if you collected all of the money from registration, you could not put on a comparable show. Good on your New York Road Runners.
The whole thing is amazing to run in and even be a part of. It is truly a NYC experience. If you’re out to watch, it is amazing to see people achieve something personally and if you’re running it’s an accomplishment you can always be proud of.
2013 was amazing. Thanks NYRR and good luck to all future NYC Marathoners!
Come up with some better signs though… if you’re an avid runner, you’ve seen it all…

The ING New York City Marathon is a very special event for New York City. It is a gathering of a couple of million spectators cheering thousands of men and women doing something that I could not even fathom trying to do, running 26.3 miles. Wow…
The Love that New Yorkers and visitors to this city displayed for the runners yesterday was amazing. They were loud and encouraging. My wife and I found spots just off the Pulaski Bridge on the Queens side. We cheered and clapped in support of the thousands of runners going by and louder around 12:10 PM to cheer my wife’s boss who was running for Team ALS. While we could only track him on GPS and could now see him, we knew that our cheers were heard.
People forget that in the early 70’s this race was run in Central Park with limited fanfare. It was not till 1976 that the present format was implemented. That year had 2,000 runners and was a huge success. This was the beginning of the Marathon Renaissance. Every year since 1976 more and more runners where added. Now 45,000 plus runners run and more than 2 million spectators line the race course.
Overall, if you can run The ING New York City Marathon, god bless you. You have all the respect and admiration I can give you. If you are a spectator like me, this is a great event to support. Cheer and encourage the hard working runners.

4 years later and I ran the 2011 NY Marathon again.
In 2007, I ran the NY Marathon in 5 hours 8 minutes and 13 seconds.
In 2011, I ran the NY Marathon in 4 hours 17 minutes and 24 seconds.
At the rate I’m going, by the time I’m 100, I might be able to break the course record set last Sunday.
Because it was perfect weather for a marathon, in the mid 50s and sunny, you’re gonna read a lot of positive reviews about this marathon. But I must say, it’s the funnest marathon on the planet.
Pre-​Marathon Expo: The Expo is fun for about an hour, then I just wanna get the heck out of there because it’s too crowded unless you come earlier on Thursday or towards the very end on Saturday night. I like the time lapsed 8 minute course video. It gives the runner a feel for what to expect.
Pre-​Marathon: I’ve done this twice now and have figured out the best approach. Take the 6:30 am Ferry to Staten Island transportation option (1,2,3 Subway and get off when the runners get off and follow them). It’s the most sensible because 5:30am is too cold and too early whereas at 7:30am, it can get hectic and by then, the portable bathrooms are pretty disgusting smelling.
I took the 5:30am bus in 2007 and the 7:30 ferry in 2011. 6:30 ferry is the best, most comfortable choice. There’s something very peaceful about the Staten Island ferry.
Marathon Course: This time around, I was able to really get a feel for the course. I trained very hard for this and had my miles logged in YET, I still hit the wall very early at around mile 17. This is because it is a very difficult Marathon to pace because the terrain continues to shift from uphill to downhill.
Mile 1: a dead uphill on the Verrazano Narrows followed by a steep downhill coming off the bridge followed by another uphill at mile 3.
Miles 4 – 13 are dangerous because it’s fast. It’s also the best part of the run where there is great music and people. I think at around mile 10, which I believe is the Williamsburg District, is where it’s the most charming. It’s very beautiful over there.
Leaving Brooklyn at the half marathon spot, you run into a very steep hill heading into Queens. Much steeper than I remember and after a brief tour in Queens, a very steep hill up the Queensborough Bridge. That is a tough part of the run. The downhill part of Queensborough as you enter Manhattan is dangerously fast and with the roar of Manhattan, it’s easy to over run this part of the marathon. As you go up 1^st Avenue, there’s a subtle incline that seemed to wear me down psychologically. I can’t say if there was an incline, but the the numbered streets broke me down because the Bronx is somewhere up around East 125^th. When I saw that I was only at East 81^st St, I felt myself discouraged and dropped into a walk-​run mode. Slowing down my pace, I got to mile 20 at Pulaski Bridge, a very difficult climb but coming down from that is probably the best greeting from the people of the Bronx. Such a fun part. After mile 20, navigating through the Bronx is confusing, lots of turns and «dead road» (boring areas with slight inclines). Getting out of the Bronx is a key point and I found life until mile 22 on 5^th Avenue. It’s the ugliest part of the marathon. It’s noisy and one big migraine headache until mile 24 where there’s finally a downhill that only lasts a ½ mile until you run into another uphill. After mile 25, it’s hard not to regroup and run the mile. Even at the final 400 meters, there is a tricky little uphill, but by then, nothing’s gonna stop the runner from getting to the finish line.
Post-​Marathon: Everyone complains about the queue getting out of Central Park. It’s often referred to as «The Walk of Shame.» It’s demoralizing but important because after running a marathon, it’s recommended to walk at least 2 miles in order to allow for proper recovery. I highly recommend that after running, you latch on someone to talk to. It’s easy to fall into a depression after running a marathon because the mind is emotionally depleted. Talking to people is the most psychologically therapeutic thing to do after running a marathon.
I highly recommend that if you are not from NY, to stay somewhere in the Upper West Side. The traffic and post marathon crowds will be horrible and to return from the marathon and have your room, a nice shower and bed just a short walk away from the exits will be a god-​send.

My favorite aspects of the marathon:
1. The fact that it goes through all five boroughs
2. The bake sale that happens on the sidewalks
3. The energy of the crowd
4. How inspiring it is!
5. The fact that some people are able to wear silly outfits and/​or do silly things while running 26.2 miles!
6. I read in an article that an average runner raises over $ 3,000…that is amazing!
My favorite aspects of NYC Marathon 2011:
1. Runner who asked me, «where am I? Is this Brooklyn?»
2. Male runner in sumo costume
3. Male runner whose shirt said «Life begins at 70» and it also said that he was 73 years old!
4. Runner who was juggling while running!!!
5. Waldo runner
6. The band that was playing on Bedford Ave & N 5^th St in Brooklyn. The marching band music got the spectators and the runners pumped up!

What a fantastic event!
FIVE STARS!!!
My friend lives two blocks away from where the marathoners come through on their way to Harlem and then Central Park. We walked from her house around 10am to watch and cheer on the first women (Mary) as she and others came through 1^st Ave. We got there so early that there was plenty of places to stand in the front row. Mary passed and we cheered. Shortly after, more women flooded the streets; then slowly the men, and finally the crowd of international runners who were setting out on such a fantastic and life-​changing experience.
I have to admit i was a bit afraid i would get bored after a while; but in truth, i couldn’t get enough. Every time a person passed with a visible name tag, i felt so inspired, so proud, that i cheered them on at the top of my lungs, and got a rush each time they smiled or waved, or gave me a high five. One German runner even came up to me after i cheered him on and asked me for a kiss on the cheek, i complied and the crowd cheered.
When the runners would hear their names called, it was like a second wind hit them at the tail and propelled them forward, just a little bit faster, with a bit more excitement. It was wonderful to watch. my friend joked that my excellent cheerleading skills probably shaved off quite a few seconds of their time, since they began moving faster and more joyfully when they heard their names. I especially enjoyed cheering for the international groups that may not necessarily have as much support in the crowd; but there was no discrimination, any ONE person who came by, if we saw their name we’d call it out, if we saw a flag we’d give a shout out. It was amazing. And if you were running it this year… I PROBABLY SAW YOU PASS BY AND CHEERED FOR YOU! YES YOU!
The comradery was beautiful, when i saw a woman running with one leg it made me emotional and excited about life; old men and ladies, blind people with guides; i’d get a lump of hope in my throat, these people are defying all odds and doing something amazing.
Bars were filled with Bacchus’s children celebrating, streets were packed with spectators and flags and children and smiles. It is not often that i experience New York to be so warm and friendly, people usually keep to themselves, dress in dark colors, minimalist architectural fashion with black coffees minding their own business; but not today, today there was joy and laughter and color in the streets, everyone was a friend and all whose eyes crossed gave and received bright smiles. An air of hope and open hearts filled the city.
Spectators stood around with water bottles and bananas for the tired runners. Most businesses let you use their restroom even if you were not a paying customer, but simply a supporter of the event.
I will come back here next year. We talk about peace ralleys and marches and protests, and changing the world, yet sometimes it is these types of events that are so powerful in bringing people together.

For the 2009 NYC Marathon, I was a volunteer for the first time, not a runner.
I highly recommend volunteering if you get a chance. It was an exhilarating four hours[1], a semi-​exhausting fog of activity. I recruited for and volunteered with Team PBDS (Powered By Dim Sum). Our posse unloaded a truck of water, broke down boxes, filled cups with water and sports drinks (not coffee!), and provided cups to passerbys. We yelled encouragement, pumped our fists, and made a racket — someone even clanked a cowbell!
The area was full of locals, volunteers, reporters, medical and police staff, and runners. And were there runners! Feeling the energy from them had such an impact beyond just seeing wave after wave of athletes.
Last but not least, I wanted to make a random shout-​out to Heidi for running! Met her on the train the day before, where we found out we were both involved in the marathon. She said to look for her, and I did: when I saw her run by, I called her name, but then noticed her earbuds, and then she was gone. Should I write on Missed Connections?
[1] Volunteers normally commit to a whole day of service, but I had to be elsewhere. I confirmed with our team captain that that was okay, of course.

The NYC marathon is very much part of the fabric of the city. I never ran a marathon (and probably never will) but I try to go to see it every year and this event never fails to inspire me: for about 5 minutes each year I tell myself «One day I will run the NYC marathon!». Yeah, right…
The sheer energy and enthusiasm of the crowd is contagious: you will find yourself clapping continuously until your hands are sore, and shouting the names of people you’ve never seen before until you have no voice. It’s also amazing to see the athletes in wheelchairs, who manage to do 26.3 miles purely with the strength of their arms; or a guy with no legs going all the way on crutches. It’s just unbelievable. Get there early so that you can catch the race leaders: they go so fast it’s just incredible!
In my view the best spots for watching the marathon are, in no particular order:
1) Corner of Lafayette and Bedford in BKLN (right by the G train stop), immediately before the 15k (9.3 miles) mark.
2) Vernon Blvd/​Jackson Ave. (7 train) in LIC.
3) at the end of the ramp of the Queensboro Bridge in Manhattan (you can see the athletes coming down the bridge and then pass right in front of you).
If you want to catch friends/​family that are running the marathon, plan ahead where to meet (i.e. an easily identifiable spot), and make yourself very visible. It’s hard to spot a single runner among 40,000, so it may be easier if he/​she can spot you first…

Le marathon est une manifestation qui à lieu tout les ans et qui débute à Central park. Les participants viennent du monde entier pour gagner cette course de 40 km s’étendant dans les rues de New-​york. A cet effet le parcour est bien établi et nombreux sont les spéctateurs mais attention pas de folie car la police est toujours à l’affu des troubles!
L’arrivée se fait également à Central park et depuis 2000 les participants handicapé (fauteuil) peuvent aussi faire parti de la course, je trouve cela chouette il n’y a pas de raison le bal est ouvert pour tout le monde