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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 421 to 431]
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Elliott L. from New York City, NY
(11/18/2004)
"One of the Greatest Things You'll Do in Your Life" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 New York City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As a marathoner, there are certain races that you must do to fulfill your marathon career. New York is one of them. The race is by no means easy; the course is hard, the field is large, and the wait time before the start of the race in Staten Island is pure torture. But in the end, its all worth it. Even if you aren't a New Yorker, you'll feel the true spirit of the city as you run through the 5 boroughs of the city. The crowds are huge and supportive. My advice for New York... run this race for the pure reason of enjoying running. Don't come to NY to try to PR or qualify for Boston. I made that mistake this year... Go to New York to have fun. Take the time to give high fives to kids in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Soak in the cheers of all the spectators in Manhattan. Remember the race for the spectaculor fans, not the misery of not meeting your PR. | |
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J. G. from Thousand Oaks, California
(11/16/2004)
"The run of a lifetime" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon after running four half marathons on marathon courses. NYC is the greatest! Where else can a two-bit amateur runner be an active participant in a world-class sporting event alongside some of the greatest athletes on the planet, being cheered on by over two million roaring spectators through the five boroughs of New York? The entire city dresses up in its Sunday best for this event. From great expo (both merchandise and running tips) through pre-marathon pasta party (meet runners from all over the world, eat mediocre but filling pasta, then take in spectacular fireworks and music against the backdrop and echo of central park surrounded by gargantuan skyscrapers and architectural wonders), to the most incredible and diverse crowd support you will probably ever experience anywhere as you run a brilliantly conceived 26.2 miles through great neighborhoods (especially in Brooklyn, but also in Queens, 1st Ave Manhattan, and Harlem/East Harlem) and across five challenging bridges, with numerous awe inspiring skyline views along the way, culminating in 6-deep crowds through the final four miles in Central Park. A couple of suggestions: Consider skipping the bus to the start. Sleep in (I got up around 6:30) and take a subway or cab to the Staten Island Ferry station near battery park. Take the 7:30 ferry across to Staten Island (they even have bathrooms and food, along with great skyline views), then the SI-51 bus waiting to take you and many other runners to the staging area entrance, all for the price of a four dollar metro card (subway and bus). Much shorter waiting time until the 10:10 gun. Second suggestion: Write your name tagged somewhere visible to spectators. They appreciate being able to call out and encourage you by name as much as it's a kick to hear it as you hit the wall with seemingly nothing left to give. And finally: Wear your medal proud as you meander back to your hotel and beyond! You will be amazed at all the New Yorkers and tourists (including NYPD and NYFD) who stop you in your tracks to wish you a heartfelt congratulations. Thank you NYRR for such impeccable organization of a world-class event. Truly, the run of a lifetime. | |
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B. K. from Orland Park, IL
(11/15/2004)
"A great marathon experience" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This marathon is truly special, but don't expect a PR. Enjoy your tour of NY and the incredible fan support. Here are a few planning comments for the first-timer: -- I took the New Jersy option, staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Besides being about $100/night cheaper than Manhattan, the buses from Continental Airlines Arena were great, no waiting and the last one left at 7:30, which allows you more sleep than the Manhattan crowd. Fort Wadsworth start-- 2-3 hours wait time, but lots of space to sit and relax. The potty line wait was bad - 45 minutes at 9 am. But, if you wait till the gun goes off, you can slip into the potty with '0' wait. I wasn't able to start until almost 24 minutes after the gun (the 'orange' folks with 40,000 + bib numbers just stand and wait.) But then I was pleasantly surprised with the fairly open spacing for 38,000 runners - the 3 color start helps. Also, you're running on mostly wide streets in Brooklyn and Manhattan The only exception is the tightness at the later bridges, especially the Queensboro at mile 16. The running is on fairly narrow walkways on the side of the bridge which makes it difficult to get past walkers (who were numerous). Overall though, I thought the crowd support was fantastic. I can only recall 3 miles or so of little support (before the Queensboro Bridge and Harlem). The other miles you are pushed ahead by the cheers. Especially in Central Park, which is very welcome with the tough hill climbs. Every marathoner should do this run once; it's special. | |
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K. P. from Connecticut
(11/14/2004)
"Wonderful race, but why start on Staten Island?" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 New York City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the 2nd time I've run the NYC Marathon. Everything is very well organized, and the crowd participation is 2nd to none. The negative is that there are many people that are running a marathon for the 1st time, and many overseas marathoners that run the race as a clogged up group. It is an incredible tour of NYC, but why does the race start on Staten Island?? The Verrazano Bridge closes to traffic at 7:30 (the race is at 10:10). To get to the race, you either have to take the organized bus which leaves from Manhattan and NJ no later than 7am and 7:30am respectively; or do like I did. I live in CT and had to drive to the West Side of Manhattan, catch the 1 Train down to South Ferry station, get on the Staten Island Ferry boat, transfer to the S51 bus which took me to within .5 miles of the start. Then, wait 2 hours for the start. Again, why Staten Island? OK, I understand the 5 boroughs and all, but it is impossible to get to. Start the race in Battery Park, or Prospect Park, or any place else. | |
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R. M. from Los Angeles, California
(11/14/2004)
"Super-fun marathon" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved this marathon. Three and a half years ago, I had done a different marathon that was reputed as being flat, friendly, and scenic, and I found that the NYC Marathon was tons more fun and easier because of the millions of cheerleaders. One important thing to keep in mind is that the cheerleaders don't only provide moral support (which itself is a great thing -- people from all walks of life and of all ages cheering you on, little kids giving you high-fives), they also provide great stuff like WATER (in addition to the aid stations that exist every mile), Gatorade, paper towels (to wipe off the sweat), etc. I saw from my time after the race that I was close to the back of the pack (I finished nearly 7 hours after the course opened; keep in mind that it takes a while just to cross the start line with 35,000 runners), but I would never have known it from the enthusiastic crowds that greeted me up to the very end and the number of runners who were always around me. By the way, people warned me that the bridges are like big hills, but I found that changing from a completely flat course for those bits was a bit easier on my legs because it took a little of the pounding off my knees. The other marathon I did made me sit down and cry; this one plastered a big dopey smile on my face the whole 26.2 miles and made me feel like a hero even when I was walking. I don't know if seasoned marathoners chasing PRs would want a flatter, faster course, but those who are just starting out should greatly prefer NYC. | |
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d. c. from La Habra, California
(11/13/2004)
"tough course, but worth every minute" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I have been trying to get into this marathon 3 out of the last 4 years. I finally earned a guaranteed entry into the 2004 N.Y.C. Marathon after being denied entry into the last 3 N.Y.C. Marathons. It was worth taking the trip to N.Y.C. for this marathon. It was a well organized marathon. The buses took the runners to Staten Island to the start line in a timely manner. What was really nice was the Marathon Eve Dinner on Saturday night. They had good food and music playing, so they really knew how to treat the runners right. The crowd support was incredible, especially on 1st Ave and in Central Park. The best part of the course was going through Brooklyn because Brooklyn is so ethnically diverse. The course itself is tough. It was tougher than the other previous marathons that I have run. In the November 2003 Issue of RUNNER'S WORLD MAGAZINE, they say to save a little extra for the last 2 miles of the race, but in reality you need to save a little for the last 5 miles of the race. The ascents are not GENTLY ROLLING, THEY ARE TOUGH HILLS. After you cross the Madison Ave Bridge, which is the last bridge, you head south on 5th Ave. 5th Ave is uphill. When you enter Central Park at Mile 24, it is also uphill with a small downhill, but the last half a mile is entirely uphill. Also what makes the course difficult are the 5 bridges that you have to cross over, because you have an uphill battle going up the bridges. The most difficult bridge is the Queensborough Bridge. It may be a tough course, but The N.Y.C. Marathon is worth doing, because it covers all 5 boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx. Don't expect to have a personal best time running this marathon, just enjoy the scenery and the crowd support. I would probably do this marathon again. | |
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Steve Stillman from Redondo Beach, Ca.
(11/13/2004)
"Incredible Race" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Outstanding course and crowds! The view from the Verrezano-Narrows Bridge was just unbelieveable. In fact the views from all 5 bridges were great. The police really got into the race. One officer in Brooklyn was telling everyone to hurry up or he would write them a ticket for going too slow. At the end of the race the UPS people gave out apples. I'm not sure what variety it was but it was absolutely the best apple I have ever eaten. The only thing that I would change would be to add more potties. Between miles 3 and 7 there was only 1 available per mile and they had really long lines. | |
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M. m. from Wisconsin
(11/13/2004)
"I got the chills running" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This course is amazing. Everything was perfect for it. The crowds were unreal and the atmosphere was amazing. Once piece of advice is: BUY THE BUS PASS to the start! This will be so easy then. I re-qualifed for Boston, however, this is not a PR course. I didn't think the course was too tough, and I didn't train on hills; however, the bridges were the worst on the course. It was amazing... an experience that no one can ever take from you. | |
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t. t. from new york, ny
(11/12/2004)
"unbelievable" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my second marathon - being from NY, I always wanted to run it - it is an unbelievable race. Some people say you can't PR here - but I cut 23 minutes off my previous marathon time. The crowds push you to go faster and the race goes very quickly because you can never get bored. Running through Brooklyn is an experience unlike any other. Also, running up First Avenue ? the crowds are 8 deep ? is amazing. | |
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J. M. from Chelmsford,MA
(11/12/2004)
"where'd these hills come from?" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I loved almost every aspect of the race except for a couple of things; first was the long wait on Staten Island, you're usually not at your best at 10:10am when you have to wake up at 4:30 to catch a bus to the start. Second, having to walk up to a mile to get your bags as well as the food was hardship enough, but how about some real food in the bag? Seriously - a banana, apple and a Powerbar? Where are the bagels, Gatorade and juices? I needed some salt and sugar!! Otherwise, NYRR put on a great race starting with a week at the expo and the fireworks the night before. The staging area was as good as could be expected, given the crowds. The race itself was great, lots of water and Gatorade, lots of medical kiosks for those who needed it and plenty of spectator support. Aside from the non-bridge hills, I wasn't prepared for the poor food at the finish, a bad ending to a great race. |
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