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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 491 to 501]
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h. a. from Pittsburgh, PA
(11/7/2003)
"Breathtaking experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I'm still in awe of the entire event. The spectators were phenomenal and the volunteers are wonderfully supportive. They made me feel like a superstar. Don't listen to anyone who says that you can't run a PR here, because I did. The PR is in the person, not the course. One tip: be patient and try to get lined up with folks your pace because the course is congested. Also, if you train somewhere with hills, you shouldn't have a problem with the hills here. The bridges are not so bad as people say, and Central Park is undulating, but not impossible. What a great event to be a part of! Oh, one last tip... get in line for the toilet before you have to pee, because you'll have to by the time you make it to the front of the line! | |
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Helene Neville from Des Moines, Iowa
(11/7/2003)
"Beyond Compare" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I accomplished the 26.2 miles of New York City. It wasn?t easy wearing a long green gown and silver crown. I was lady liberty. Completing a marathon instills in you a sense of accomplishment and pride. I hope the awesome spectators who spent hours energizing the runners are filled with pride and awe-inspiring achievement too. I was in the 5-hour plus zone, but from the cheers, you would think I was challenging the Kenyans. NYC residents have embraced this event and applied a sense of ownership that has taken the New York City Marathon to a level unmatched and beyond compare. The firefighters, police, amateur radio volunteers, medical crew and volunteers are exceptional. The fan support doesn?t stop because you crossed the finish line; everywhere you go people stop you and say congratulations. This event exemplifies the word phenomenon'. As race director of the Des Moines Marathon, I am making everyone I know do NYC (of course that?s after they do Des Moines). - Helene Neville, Race Director The Des Moines Marathon, Inc. | |
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Justplain Wacked from Chicago
(11/7/2003)
"Definitely worth running/beware of finish line" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I had a great experience and would highly recommend the race and tour of NY. The expo went very smoothly, with tons of exhibitors, and no problems. The pasta dinner was organized ok, given the number of dinners, but of course, the pasta wasn't the greatest. Still, plenty to eat and lots of extras, including a great fireworks show. Very well organized transportation to the start line and the waiting area out on Staten Island was fine. Though the pleasant weather really made the long 3-hour wait, enjoyable (couldn't it be moved up another hour??). The start went very smoothly, only took me two mins. to cross the start line, not like Chicago where 20 mins. is average. Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is cool to run across and has great views and puts a 'spring' in your step. Too bad you only see the poor parts of Brooklyn, the area never really gets too nice and it occupies half of the race, but the crowds make up for it. First Ave. was exciting and the Bronx was thrilling with huge crowds and plenty of music! In Harlem I was concentrating on the pavement in front of me and waiting for Central Park, so I really didn't get much out of this area. Central Park is simply one of the most enjoyable areas to run in, especially during the marathon. The crowds are really loud, and the course is beautiful. The entire event up to the finish line area was a terrific experience. However, after you crossed the finish line the race organization went to complete hell!! What's with closing off the trail next to the road and making us wade down that tight road for an hour through other tired runners, trying to get to our gear? It was PACKED! Everyone looked like they were ready to pass out, and some did, yet there was no room to move or sit down. They MUST do something better with the death march to the UPS trucks! It really put a sour note on an otherwise great day. And I have never been in any race where you have to HUNT for the area to return your chip. What's up with that? With 35,000 runners, you have to expect some delays and lines, come on, its a very big production, but the finish line area is just unacceptable. The organizers need to scrap that idea and start over. Since Columbus Drive was blocked off anyway, maybe they could have runners exit the Park at Tavern on the Green, and parade us down Columbus where there is much more room than on the road in the Park. Or utilize the grassy areas of Central Park?? Fix this issue, and NY has a near perfect 10!! | |
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Mark Gershman from Scottsdale, Arizona
(11/6/2003)
"Volunteers and crowds outshine race logistics" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Expect the best from the army of volunteers and from the energetic crowds. Expect very little from the race organizers. It's shameful that after 30+ years, NY still hasn't overcome several organizational lapses. The expo continues to be staged in tight quarters with poor transportation to it (we waited an hour; finally hailed a taxi). Pass on the pasta dinner; waiting two hours to get into the tent is unacceptable. NY has better and tastier options all around. The wait at Staten Island is bearable if you plan accordingly; bring a groundcover, a good book, etc. Lines for porta-johns snake all over and are in the path of UPS trucks - could be thought out so much better. Seeding is an absolute joke - maybe because, in part, some of the international runners do not understand the concept - it results in very slow miles for the first three or so. Post-race is another nightmare; a long hill up to the UPS trucks, medals handed out instead of put around your neck, a reunion area that stretches 20 blocks, and the very poor chip retrieval spot -outside the park instead of right after the finish line. Chicago, among others, still stages much better races. The saving grace of this race remains the incredible army of volunteers; friendly, helpful, and abundant and the over-the-top crowd support. New Yorkers come out in full force and really cheer you on. It's a shame that the quality of the race doesn't match the spirit of the New York people. It's ironic, too that these comments (like those of others) and those that are noted year after year after year go unheeded. With the think tank that abounds in NY, there is no reason that this race couldn't be THE premiere race in the world. | |
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B. C. from Australia
(11/6/2003)
"Worth it just for the crowd" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my third marathon, and incidentally my slowest. The other big-city race I have done is Berlin, so I compare it to that (although they are very different). Course is OK, not that interesting through Brooklyn and Queens. On 4th Ave in Brooklyn and 1st Ave in Manhattan you literally run for miles in a straight line, down the same street. There are a few hills, mainly on the bridges. Spectator support is unbelievable - millions watch, bands play, kids high-5 and hand out candy, people saying, 'Welcome to Harlem/Brooklyn/Manhattan/etc'... I thought Berlin was great! This was unbelievable. Difficult to resist the temptation to fly up 1st Ave with the support. Finish in Central Park is great, big crowds, great atmosphere. Organization is very good, not quite as good as Berlin. There were waits at some water stations, not much Gatorade in places, etc, but overall excellent. Volunteers were outstanding - very encouraging. Recommend the bus to the start - very well organized. Have heard that this time of year can be very cold and waiting at the start can be miserable, but 2003 was very warm. Not recommended for the average runner looking to do a PB, but an excellent event. I hope to do it again. | |
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Pat Somerville from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
(11/6/2003)
"Awesome! Simply Awesome, Doesn't Get Any Better!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the marathon that every runner has to experience. The crowd support is phenomenal!! The bands, the aid stations, the cheers, and the sights are breathtaking! I have ran Saskatchewan Marathon, Las Vegas, Victoria and Dublin. None even compare to New York. I ran a PB by 11 minutes so PB's are definitely possible, if you don't go out too fast as the bridges can get you if you try to get over them too fast! I ran a 3:15 and previous to this I had ran a PB of 3:26 in Las Vegas. There were great volunteers and great organization - just grumpy racers... sit back and remember that they are volunteers, not paid people that are giving you things for a measly $100 entry fee. A beautiful medal, a great expo, a great finishing area, they did have chip removal if you opened your eyes! Your family could meet you afterwards very easily as they had a finishing area by alphabet to meet your loved ones immediately after the run. Staten Island was a treat with live bands performing for us, hot coffee, and bagels, superb job!! You have to wait 3 hours for the race to start but if you took a sleeping bag like I did it was a very comfortable wait as you could sip on coffee, eat PowerBars and bagels, and enjoy the breathtaking view of Manhattan from Staten Island. They had a Breakfast Run the day before a 6KM run that also was a preview of the finish in Central Park. I qualified for Boston, so Boston is next for me, then Chicago. My friends that have run all the big ones still say that NY is the best that a marathoner can find! I have to agree you will not find one better if you like people cheering you on. Just one tip... I wore a Canadian top and I would have to say I heard over 1 million cheers saying 'Go Canada, you can do it... beat P-Diddy', and of course I did by almost 1 hour. One thing I will always recall was when I was 1 mile from the finish and wasn't sure if I could finish in time to qualify for Boston. This little girl told me, as I was looking at my paceband and watch to figure out what time I had left... she said, 'Don't give up now, Canada, you can do it!!'. How could I not then, I ran my last mile split in 7:35 and had 12 seconds to spare in order to qualify for Boston. How cool is that??!! Sights are too may to see... we saw Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, United Nations where the Friendship Run the day earlier took place, Empire State, Ground Zero, Wall Street, a Broadway Show, and many other sites too numerous too mention. Book your hotel early as prices are steep and food is costly! But it is all worth it, after all it is NY. I even got a tattoo of the Big Apple as a memoir of the race! One drawback was the lack of porta-potties at Staten Island as there just weren't enough and the lines were extremely long, however people made use of the bushes nearby. A great one and a great city!! Simply awesome, it doesn't get any better in my mind!! Another tip... the Herald Square Hotel is a great one if you only want to pay $100 per night instead of the regular $200 at any other hotel!! It is located central to everything, and the subway is the only way to get around NY efficiently and economically!! Great job NY!! Don't forget to take in the Naked Cowboy at Times Square! Also if you want to save some money on marathon merchandise, wait for the sale the day after the marathon where they have all kinds of stuff cheap, but be sure to get there an hour earlier before it opens as the lines are crazy!! What can you expect for 34,000 people in one event at one time!! You must have patience if you can't wait... then this is not a marathon you will appreciate!! But if you are open-minded and not in a severe rush, you will have a blast at this one!! Good luck to all future participants, I am sure one day I will back for this one! | |
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W. K. from Michigan
(11/6/2003)
"Awesome" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 An almost overwhelmingly positive experience -- meticulously well-organized, spectacular weather (who knew?) and support, strong international flair and flavor, relentlessly friendly vibes/mojo throughout. I've rarely been more proud to have participated in an event of this scope. Keep it up, and thank you NYC! | |
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Rob Bens from Overland Park, KS
(11/6/2003)
"Great marathon, great spectators, great volunteers" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Overall the NY marathon was a great experience. The 26 miles of large and enthusiastic crowds made my day! I could not believe the number of volunteers helping out. Following are a few random thoughts: 1)While packed in with the runners prior to the start, I realized that nobody around me was speaking English. I was surrounded by Italians, French, and others. This race has an international flavor that I had never experienced before. 2) The fire department tugboats by the bridge at the start, spraying the red, white and blue water. 3) With the exception of my first Boston Marathon, that 3.5 mile stretch of 1st Ave. in NY was the best marathon experience I ever had. The crowd and their energy was awesome. It was especially needed at that part of the race (Miles 17-21) 4) Running through Brooklyn I was looking up at the row-houses. There was this lady laying on her bed and her head, arms, and shoulders were hanging out of her 3rd floor window. She was beating a metal pot with a wooden spoon and screaming. That was classic. 5) We ran through a Hasidic Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. The people there were watching the race but I noticed that it was very quiet running those couple of blocks. It was really different; only the sound of slapping running shoes. 6) In Harlem (Mile 23?) there was a runner who had a pulled or badly cramped his hamstring. He almost fell then he started limping and dragging his leg as he was squeezing his hammy with his hands. Meanwhile, there was a spectator who weighed at least 300 pounds, that was standing in the middle of the street and just screaming at the hurt runner. He was yelling 'Work it out! Keep going, keep going! You gotta finish what you started! You gotta finish what you started!' It was unbelievable. The poor runner was just getting abused. Watching that scene alone was worth the entry fee. 7) After the race I walked about 2 miles back to my hotel. People stopped me at least a dozen times and looked at my medal or congratulated me, or asked how I did. One lady asked if I won. That was really nice, I felt like a rock star. Thank you New York. I'll be back. | |
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A. S. from Atlanta, USA
(11/5/2003)
"Great race, great support, sloppy organization" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Race itself from the great start through to mile 26 was excellent. Course was fine but not as interesting or as varied as Chicago. Water support was great. Crowds were great. Before and after the race was sloppy organization. Expo was in too small a space making for long lines, and not a good experience. Holding area before the race also too small, and was disorganized. Last 0.5 mile was in a section of Central Park with no spectators allowed; was strange to finish in silence with no one watching after such great crowd support for 26 miles. Then they handed out the finishing medals like they were handing out flyers to some other race, and after walking a mile to exit the finisher's area, you had to get through the crowds and cross a street to have your chip removed. Expo and finish need a lot of work. | |
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B. OKeefe from Detroit, MI
(11/5/2003)
"Many lines - but still wonderful" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 There were many lines. The most frustrating was how early you had to get up and out and how much time you had to spend on your feet before actually starting the marathon. However, the race all made up for it. The sights of the different neighborhoods and bridges made this quite an experience. On top of that, I couldn't believe how into it the crowds were. I am one of those idiots that puts their own name on the front of their shirt. I was happy I did. People yelling my name helped more than a few times. One last comment - its hillier than you think. Each bridge is a hill - this caught me off guard. |
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