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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 471 to 481]
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s. c. from orlando, florida
(12/27/2003)
"Slow, but INCREDIBLE just the same" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 The field was always bunched up, and I could never get free to get up to a decent pace. No way on God's green earth will I ever PR at NYC, but I'm gonna be back every chance I get. From the moment the race starts at the bridge (which really DOES shake with the runners on it--how cool is that?) to the finish in Central Park, it had incredible atmosphere. While there were essentially no spectators on the bridges, they were EVERYWHERE for the rest of the race... they were everything a hayseed from Mississippi (I was one until recently) expects of New Yorkers: Loud, raucous, in your face. And they were all wonderful--every last one of them. If I could give them more stars I'd give `em ten. Only problem is it never stopped being crowded (maybe I just needed to be faster to get in front of that crowd, lol). P-diddy took me this year, but his ass is mine in `04. | |
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Don Kienz from Exton, Pa.
(12/27/2003)
"New York, NY style. Huge. Exciting. Unforgettable." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 One mile of bridge, 25.2 miles of spectators, cheering, enthusiastic spectators, NYPD, NYFD, kids, black churches emptying out and cheering, Hasidic Jews going about their business, Latino children gleefully looking for hi-fives, thousands, and thousands, and thousands... 1st 13 miles a course in blue-collar ethnic groups and neighborhoods. Mile 16 an unbelievable welcome into Manhattan... thousands lining both sides of off-ramp, 1st Ave., the Bronx, and then the $ublime on east Central Park. Never imagined so many spectators. Supportive. Your one chance of being IN the 'World Series' or the Superbowl, on the field. Unbelievable. NYers generally pass each other on the street...but I had 15-20 personally congratulate me on my 6-block limp back to my car. Course...only if you like cities, but if you do, you'll love NY. Course is all city except first bridge and Central Park. ('Pretty' is not really a category consideration: 1st half is urban ordinary; but later Manhattan glitter is hard to match.) Wish list? Add more Manhattan, or at least 10 blocks of 5th Ave., but shame on me. Unforgettable. Organization...only Disney does organization about dead-solid perfect. (Desperately need more facilities at start.) If you don't like crowds, stay away. If you can handle crowds, ya gotta do New York. | |
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D. K. from Newburgh, IN
(12/19/2003)
"Fantastic" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There are not enough superlatives to describe my experience at the NYC Marathon. After training more or less in solitary for months for my first marathon, I was unprepared for the spectacle that the race was. From the start over the bridge with the musical 'New York, New York' accompaniment, to the incredible crowds that lined the entire route, to the finish line in Central Park, I had an experience that I will never forget. Yes, it was warm that day and I did not make my four-hour target time (at least that's what I'm blaming it on). But I decided to revel in the moment by slowing my pace and taking it all in. I'm not the least bit disappointed in my 4:20 time because everything about this race was great. I think the organizers did a fine job. And the crowd, especially when entering Manhattan, was outstanding. I was amazed at how the whole city embraced the race. My only problem now is how to top this experience. I WILL BE BACK!!! | |
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J. C. from Leeds, England
(12/10/2003)
"A magical event!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Participating in the NYC marathon has inspired me to greater things. Completing it was one of the most exhilarating events of my life and I would just like to thank everyone at NY Road Runners for the fantastic organization, and the people of New York City for their wonderful support, making it such a special occasion. | |
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A. K. from Boston
(12/9/2003)
"Great International Race!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Great one-time thrill! While not my favorite (it's just too big), the international flavor of this race was terrific, as were the New Yorkers themselves. Everything was BIG like the Apple is! The only negative was the unsupervised start, which they should fix to give seeded runners the advantage they deserve (and keep slower runners to the back). | |
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Rebecca Kemp from Ireland
(12/8/2003)
"Good but not the best" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon and my first time doing New York. I would have to say that while the organization is good, I think other major city marathons do it better. Be prepared for chaotic drink stations with no prior warning of their arrival, invisible mile markers and a long wait for the bus to Staten Island (about an hour) which is hard on those already worn out knees. Like many other visitors to New York I couldn't help doing some sightseeing a few days before, and this will affect your performance on race day. Do this marathon for fun but as everyone has already said not to try for a PB. I suffered during this race with the heat and general marathon fatigue, so I would say I've enjoyed other races more. However my loyal supporters said it was the best race they had experienced from a spectator point of view, which is as good a reason as any to recommend it. | |
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A. M. from LA, CA
(12/2/2003)
"A great time was had by all" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is my second NYC marathon, and my best marathon time ever. I only have ONE suggestion though :): More more more on the porta-potties :D. And maybe a TP re-stock at some point -- the spectators handing out tissues were a godsend. | |
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D. D. from Boise, Idaho
(11/29/2003)
"Awesome once-in-a-lifetime experience!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and I will have a difficult time topping it! The event truly seemed international (with my hotel predominantly filled with international runners). Also a little surreal, with helicopters hovering over Staten Island prior to the start. The best part was the crowds, who lined the entire course and were very enthusiastic, even for the slower runners like me. It was great seeing the different parts of New York. Central Park was a great place to run the last few miles, very scenic and boisterous crowds. I would definitely recommend it and hope to run it again. | |
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J. B. from Washington, D.C.
(11/26/2003)
"There's NY, then there's all the rest" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I swore I'd never run the same marathon twice, but I keep coming back to NY. I can't help it; nothing compares in terms of excitement, not even Boston. Yeah, the weather was warm this year (which is fairly unusual) and it wasn't my day, but I didn't care. And this is coming from someone who's been very focused on time lately. I'm still on a high from running this race, and it was my fifth time running NY. I wish people wouldn't complain about the obvious (crowded, crowded, crowded). This is the NYC Marathon and over 30,000 people run it every year. If you want a guarantee of a fast time, look elsewhere. I think the organizers do a FANTASTIC job considering. As for P. Diddy, he's a fool, but it added to the excitement. At least the crowds didn't think out in the Bronx like they usually do. | |
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K. S. from Dacula, GA
(11/26/2003)
"You Can't Beat First Avenue" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 3rd marathon, my first NYC marathon. The course was very tough, although primarily because it was so crowded. The other two marathons that I have done (Marine Corps and Disney) opened up a little around mile 6, but this one never did. The course, however, was beautiful and a great way to see the unique parts of the city that most tourists don't take the time to see. The Gatorade tables, (only every other mile) were too infrequent and needed more volunteers as several runners had to stop and wait for Gatorade. There is not enough room to describe how wonderful these fans are. You can't run more than 50 yards without seeing them in groups. They were loud and plentiful. Running First Avenue was a rush, the crowds, the people, all of it. I would definitely like the opportunity to run NYC again. Excellent race !!! And... I got to run it with my sister for the first time. |
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