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New York City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to New York City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 4.9
Number of comments: 604 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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T. T. from New York, NY
(5/5/2010)
 "Great first-time experience" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon - one that I had been dreaming of doing since I started running and since I had watched it year after year. Being that I'm from NY, it made sense logistically, too. Plus, the 9+1 guaranteed entry was a great way to get a spot in the race. For someone from out of town, the tour of the city doesn't get any better because you'll see places you normally wouldn't as a tourist; I even saw new neighborhoods and snapped pictures of the highlights. The spectators were all very supportive along the way. Getting to the starting villages took awhile, but it wasn't any more of a hassle than you'd have on a normal day on NYC subways. There were too many people to chat with, too much energy, and too much adrenaline to be concerned about it. At the start, there were bagels, coffee, enough porta-potties, and organized baggage collection, although the corrals closed a little early. Getting into the corrals is a whole different matter. I had no idea where I was going and there were no signs. It was just a mass of unknowing runners following the next guy. The course is a little hilly because of the bridges, but it's fairly smooth otherwise. It had plenty of fluids along the way, Power Gel at around mile 16, spectators passing out snacks and towels, massage spots, emergency aid.../ The only really major complaint I have, which I know others agree with, is the finish - it's a narrow, slow, tiring walk out of the park. You just want to sit, but can't. And there's no getting the baggage/exit line to move any faster. If that can be improved in the future, I'd give the race 5 stars for organization. The medal is cool, the food bag at the end was sufficient for me, and I really appreciated the heat sheet, too. Finally, I loved the exhibit beforehand. There were lots of good freebies, and the long-sleeve tech tee was a cool souvenir. | |
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Simon Knowles from London, England
(4/26/2010)
"A great day out - unforgettable" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It is hard to describe running this race; it is just an amazing life experience, and something that any aspiring marathon runner will never forget. Here are some tips and thoughts on the race. 1) Pre-race - The expo was pretty awesome, in a huge expo building on 34th and 9th Ave. or so. Easy to pick up numbers. The main confusion was how to organize getting to the start line, but you can pick up a bus ticket there. Getting to start - This is the main issue with the New York Marathon for me. Due to the closing of the roads, you have to catch a bus or boat at about 5 a.m. We got to the start line at 6 a.m., which meant 3 and 1/2 hours sitting in the cold... though luckily it wasn't too bad. I would really recommend taking a very warm coat that you don't mind throwing away. There is talk of other ways to get to the start; the bus was easy, but bear in mind that it's a long wait. Course - The start is just amazing, with "New York, New York" blaring out, and a view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty as you head over Verrazano Bridge - an amazing sight, though it's a long incline to start the run. The course then winds its way through Brooklyn and Queens - nice and flat and with a great crowd. Then it turns onto Queensboro Bridge at about the 13 mile mark, and as you come off the bridge and turn up First Avenue, the best part of any marathon I've been in occurs - seeing the crowd for the first time, and they are awesome! However, it is then a long 5-mile grind up to the Bronx, which is quite daunting, as you can see right up the road. Through the Bronx and Harlem it's still pretty flat, and then as you come down back into Central Park, the crowd really lifts you. But be warned: the hills are deceptive and proved very tough in the last few miles. Finish - This was the worst part of the whole day; you have to walk about 1 mile to get out of Central Park, which after running 42K is no easy feat, and the chute was littered with people being stretchered away on motorized buggies. I guess there is no other way, but was a very brutal way to finish. However, those are small complaints. It was just an epic, amazing day. These are just observations - and not criticism of one of the greatest events any normal human has the opportunity to participate in! | |
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C. R. from Coral Gables, Florida
(4/21/2010)
"The biggest and the best." (about: 2009)
3 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 After three unsuccessful attempts to enter the marathon through the lottery, I was guaranteed entry in the 2009 race. It was so worth the four-year wait. I was assigned a spot on the ferry to Staten Island for the start. The ferry was packed with runners from all over the world, all of us buzzing with excitement. Everyone was smiling and having fun, admiring the beautiful views of New York from the water. In Staten Island, we boarded buses to the start area. There, I enjoyed bagels and coffee and an atmosphere that was simply electric. I almost couldn't take the anticipation any longer as we were assembled into our starting corrals to await the start. As excited as I was, I was also scared. Had I trained enough? Would I have to walk a portion of the race? Those feelings were brushed away quickly as a recording of Frank Sinatra's voice was broadcast over the loudspeakers, "Start spreading the news...." I was overcome with joy, almost to the point of tears. I wasn't the only one. My first exposure to New York's legendary fans came as I arrived in Brooklyn. The crowd was assembled three-, four- and even five-deep on both sides of the road for the 11-or-so miles of the Brooklyn portion of the race. They were loud and friendly, waving flags, banging on pots and pans and giving us high-fives. Some handed out cookies and brownies, others fruit, and some handed out paper towels (which were very useful, by the way). At least a dozen bands played all kinds of music along the course. Even a choir dressed in robes bellowed out inspirational tunes from the steps of a church. The character of the crowd would change as we crossed from one ethnic neighborhood into another, but all were united in celebration of this great race and of everyone who ran it. Running through Brooklyn was nothing short of spectacular. The second half of the marathon began in Queens. It was a bit quieter than Brooklyn, but still exhilarating. Almost as soon as we entered Queens we were leaving it behind. The race proceeded on Queensboro Bridge before entering Manhattan. More than 40,000 people ran in the 2009 marathon, but as I entered Manhattan, it felt as though the roar of the crowd was all for me. With about 10 miles to go, I still felt good and I drew even more strength from the excellent crowd support on First Avenue. I drew most of my inspiration from one fan, in particular. My beautiful wife, pregnant with our first child, waited for me on 95th Street (about mile 19) with a bright orange sign which read, "Go Carlos... Way to Go!" I stopped briefly to give her a hug and a kiss before continuing the race. As I ran out of Manhattan, the fear that I had not prepared enough or that I would have to walk part of the race became more and more distant. It was replaced by the thought that I might finish under 4:00! That had seemed impossible just a week before, as I wrapped up my training in Miami. After a brief trip through the Bronx, the race returned to upper Manhattan, on its way to Central Park. I'm sure the crowds and scenery were magnificent, but I was too focused on the increasing pain in my legs and my feet to notice. As we entered Central Park, I knew that I would finish the race in less than four hours. That wonderful realization did little, however, to diminish the agony of all those hills in the Park and of my aching feet. After what seemed like an eternity of running up and down those hills, the finish line was finally in sight. I finished the race just as I began it: overcome with joy. After exiting the Park, I found my wife and our friends. I was so happy and so tired. I wore my medal the rest of the weekend. Everywhere I went, people congratulated me and made me feel really special. That weekend was one of the best weekends of my life. | |
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david desmond miller from telford england
(4/8/2010)
"dreams do come true" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 While watching the 2007 marathon, I was at the 15th-16th mile waiting for my wife and friends to come around the corner. While waiting, we saw all sorts of people - tall, short, fat, thin, black, white, abled, disabled, in costume, in pain - and I said to my mate that in two years I was going to do this. At the start of 2009, I began walking; then, after a few weeks, I ran 300 yards and thought, "What on earth are you thinking, Dave?" I carried on, and even entered a 5K race. It was when I got home from that race that my wife told me I got into NYC. After months of training, I went to NYC and completed the run. It's a life-changing experience that will be with me forever. Now I run three times a week and hope to do NEW YORK again one day soon. If i were a rich man, i'd buy a charity place every year. Thanks to NYC for the memories! | |
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patricia murray from Naples, FL
(2/27/2010)
 "No words to describe it.... :)" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 First marathon. "If I can't run my first in NY, I don't want to run." That's what I thought since this is my favorite city in the world. I don't know how I knew this, but it was true! Unbelievable energy and support.... This city never lets me down. The people are great.... | |
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L. W. from Toronto, Canada
(2/25/2010)
"even better than I expected" (about: 2009)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I decided sometime in the 1990's that I wanted to run the NY Marathon. Finally got around to applying by lottery 6 years ago. I "lost" the lottery 3 times running, and so gained guaranteed entry that way... just in time for me to begin fertility treatments in a last-ditch effort to have a baby. Deferral of NY marathon #1. Then, the next year: success! Baby born in August. Deferral #2! So, in 2009 I was determined to run in NY - and this was my first marathon. Trained pretty hard and felt just OK before the race. But I was so happy to be there and everything was aligned perfectly for me to have the most enjoyable run of my life - nothing about the experience disappointed me. The supporters were #1, with all of the awesome bands playing, kids high-fiving (even with the H1N1 hysteria!), and amazing volunteers. I loved every moment, with maybe the exception of my feet starting to "claw" around mile 23. I think I probably flew the last mile or so around the bottom of the park. Finished in 4:48 - by no means fast, but I was happy. Welcomed back to my hotel by my sleeping baby, and my husband with a cold beer in one hand and box of really cheap greasy donuts in the other - not to mention a hot bath waiting for me. Would love to do it again this year, but it's back to the lottery for me! | |
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T. P. from Santa Barbara, California
(12/14/2009)
"The Who concert of Marathons" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This one is all that. | |
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C. T. from Spokane
(12/11/2009)
"Best Bonk of my Life!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 A must-do race. Not a PR course, but an amazing way to see NYC! | |
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Conor Gilmartin from Oise, France (formerly Dublin, Ireland)
(12/3/2009)
 "Toughest Challenge" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 This marathon was the toughest one of all I have done. First of all I started playing veteran soccer again, so the build up included a pulled hamstring and the start of an abductor injury. I think my training was short, but there's no way I would miss New York. We went over with a group of 50 from Xerox, and we did the whole New York Experience. Unfortunately I picked up a tummy bug before leaving. Started out very well at halfway heading for 3:30, but struggle in the middle quarter when I started feeling ill. Ended up at 4:07, but it was worth it. The fans kept me going; this is what makes this marathon the best. Unbelievable, they make sure you finish no matter how tough it is. Everyone is calling out your name as if they were long lost friends. I will never forget the Bronx, and the atmosphere and music were the best ever. And then coming up Fifth Avenue at the end.... I definitely want to do this again. I'll get my training better next time. I fell in love with New York. | |
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M. N. from Madison, WI USA
(11/29/2009)
"A MUST-DO for any marathoner" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I was lucky to get in via the lottery; my aunt has had to wait three years in order to do so. Basically, every other marathon pales in comparison to the NYC. The crowds were amazing, and running through the different ethnic parts of the city and experiencing their flavor was excellent. The expo was helpful and the bag drop-off prior to the race was both safe and efficient. If I weren't trying to do 50 marathons, I would try to do this one EVERY year. |
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