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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 581 to 591]
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A Runner from St. Paul, MN
(11/8/2001)
"A day I will remember always" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We somehow lucked out on the lottery and got in after doing a marathon in Oct. Of course, we had mixed feelings about going to NY with all the events of the previous two months. However, the whole trip from the Expo, the start, the race itself, and the finish line and beyond was an incredible experience that I won't ever forget. The marathon folks were beyond friendly and the Expo organization was top notch. Even though we had to wait at the start in Staten Island three hours before the start, the party atmosphere made the time go quickly. I was amazed that with 30,000 people, I hardly had to wait in any lines for start food, the pottys, or the bag check. The start was awe inspiring and it took me only 10 minutes to cross the start line. The race itself was a dream. The fans were incredible and the logistics of the waterstops were amazing. They always had plenty of Gatorade and water. And the volunteers were enthusiastic to the end. Other commenters are right; it is a deceptively difficult course and the hills are not only on the bridges. You will feel the hills especially after being on asphalt the whole race. However, you couldn't ask for a more supportive crowd and especially after the events of Sept. 11, I felt some real hope for the goodness of the human race judging from the people who lined the course. I'm a back- of- the packer and I was grateful that people stayed to the end; something that rarely happens in other races. In fact, the NYC marathon organization made me feel just as important as the elite runners. Again, something that doesn't always happen. The finish was very organized. Again, incredible considering the number of people. Just a few friendly suggestions: Why no finisher shirt at the finish? It was no fun dragging down Monday to the Expo to buy one. I bet people would pay more for it to be included in the entry. Also, this is not a race for non-elite people to PR or who are obsessed with time. It is difficult to run in such a large crowd and the every mile waterstops do slow you down. That with the difficulty of the course, you would probably be disappointed with your race results. I did love the food bag given to finishers at the end. This was the first race I've done (6 previous marathons) where all the food hasn't been taken by previous finishers. Do run NY if you want an experience of a lifetime. There is something to be said for being a slightly overweight, slow, middle-aged woman and having people 8-10 deep calling out your name and encouraging you to keep going strong. And having it happen on one of the most famous streets in America is something everyone should experience at least once. I was honored to be part of such a great event. | |
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A Runner from Maryland, USA
(11/8/2001)
"Simply incredible" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 2nd crack at the NY race. It's actually a great race for the casual runner. Your time doesn't matter to the New Yorkers, they cheer for EVERYONE. The race is loaded with great visuals. View the cityscape from the bridges and soak in the very enthusiastic crowd as you enter 1st Avenue in Manhattan. There is one problem, the 'compound' where you gather to start the race is short on restrooms by about a 100 or so. Other then that, it's a great event. | |
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A Runner from Connecticut
(11/7/2001)
"Great race -- great city" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I prefer loop courses. Requiring a bus takes something out of you. Besides that, this race rocks and rules. I enjoyed every step of it, even the painful, cramped and slow steps at the end. I was very impressed by the organization, the fans and the city in general. Brooklyn was my favorite part, and Manhattan was great too. Keep in mind what hassles are involved in a major race like this, and if you still want to give it a try, you won't regret it! | |
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Ryan O'Neil from Connecticut
(11/7/2001)
"Eh." (about: 2001)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course is hillier than you expect, and not just the bridges. If you think the logistics of being in a race with 30,000 will throw you off, do another race. I wish I had. | |
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A Runner from New York
(11/6/2001)
"New York--The Best!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Simply the Best! I ran New York, my first marathon, ten years ago. I vowed that I'd never run it again because I didn't want to ever tarnish the great memory I had of that day. Dublin was awesome--great people, great pubs. The Rock 'N Roll in San Diego was a blast--yes, it rocked!!--all those bands really pump you up! When my tenth year anniversary of New York came this year, I decided I do it again. Heck, after all I'm a New Yorker. Wow! Why did I wait? It is a thrilling experience! It's the best! You'll love New York! | |
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A Runner from Norristown, Pennsylvania
(11/5/2001)
"Incredible Fans!!!!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is only my third Marathon and I was one of the back of the packers (5 hours), but to the New York fans it didn't matter. They screamed for me and everyone else in the race for almost the entire 26 miles. Running in Manhattan up the gauntlet of 1st Avenue and then back down 5th, I felt like an Olympic runner with all the fans pushing me to keep going. The course is a difficult one. The bridges are very intimidating, so you probably aren't going to break any personal records, but who cares. Just take in the diversity of the city and have fun. The race was extraordinarily well organized. Their web site with daily tips is great. E mail updates keep you informed throughout the months preceding the race. Bus service to the start is organized. The corral system was great, it only took me 2 minutes to get to the start from the time the cannon went off. The only drawback of the whole race is minor. You need to get to the staging area at least 3 to 4 hours before the race. Wasn't bad this year because the weather was perfect, but I could see it being difficult with poor weather. But hey, how else do you get 30,000 runners organized. Thank you NYRRC and thank you all of New York. You are the best!!!! | |
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A Runner from Oakton, VA
(11/4/2001)
"Perfect!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race was so well organized. Even the weather was perfect for runners in shorts and singlets. Expect to be pampered in NYC -- a chartered bus to get you to the start, a huge staging area with food, plenty of water and Gatorade stations along the course, loud fans, and an efficient chute system at the finish. | |
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A Runner from Minnesota, USA
(10/4/2001)
"Great, but hard on the legs" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 What some people may not realize about New York is that you are running across very hard pavement and metal bridges. Both of these elements can really injure your legs (esp. knees) if you are not prepared for it. | |
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A Runner from Atlanta
(8/30/2001)
"One of the best for first time marathoners!" (about: 1999)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the NY Marathon in 1999. It was my second marathon and my first time running a marathon that draws a large number of participants and spectators. Overall, the NY Marathon was a wonderful experience. Wonderful sights and fabulous spectators every step of the way to cheer you on. First time marathoners (or all runners for that matter) should wear their names proudly on their shirts as the crowds love to cheer for you by name. The two drawbacks that we experienced were at the expo having to stand in line for 2 1/2 hours in the freezing cold waiting to get our race numbers and after the marathon when we had a long walk back to our hotel which was directly across from Central Park. Due to the way the runners were directed out of the park, it seemed that we had to walk about 2 miles to get back to our hotel. The NYRRC could learn a lot from the organizers of the expo for the LaSalle Bank Marathon in Chicago. NY is a great race though and the spectators and the scenery really make it one of the best. | |
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A Runner from Washington, DC
(4/1/2001)
"It is so great, it's hard not to cry" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I worked so hard to get ready for this marathon. Deferred in 1999 due to an injury, ready in 2000. It was everything I hoped it would be. The start of the race crosses the Verrazanno Narrows bridge for two miles. On the bridge, there are no spectators, obviously. What a shock to enter Brooklyn and hit crowds five deep screaming their lungs out. It is a rush that brought tears to my eyes. The next shock was about mile eight when it dawned on me that the crowds of spectators were still just as strong as the start. And for the most part, the spectators are lining the course for the full 26.2 miles. What a trip! There is no greater running experience that the NYC Marathon, with the exception of Boston. If you get accepted to NYC, thank your lucky stars. You will have the experience of a lifetime. |
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