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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 461 to 471]
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Martin Bach from Frankfurt, Germany
(3/28/2004)
"Best marathon ever - it's the spectators!" (about: 2003)
3 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow, what an event, a must for every marathoner worldwide. I was really encouraged by the bands playing. Since I had realized that my time would be bad, I enjoyed the spectators a lot. You bet this race is unique. If you run this race, you will miss all the fans in other races. This race has a soul. | |
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M. G. from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
(3/21/2004)
"The most amazing thing I've ever seen!!!" (about: 2003)
1 previous marathon
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race is absalutely amazing. The course is great. It gives you a fabulous opportunity to see different things throughout the 5 boroughs. The city welcomes the runners with open arms. The fans were phenomenal. Wear your name on your shirt...everyone will cheer you on! It makes the run so personal. Along the route there was an inspirational poster that said, 'Some people won't even drive 26.2 miles today'. The runners are friendly and happy and when you need a boost the fans are there. 2 million fans. I don't think any future marathon I run will ever compare to New York. It was an honor to run it. I would recommend it to everyone, whether a first time marathoner or novice. New York City is the most phenomenal place in the world and I would run this race again in a heartbeat. This was the greatest experience of my life. Plan extra time to see all the sites. Great holiday destination! Expensive but worth every single American penny! | |
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Martin Fay from Baltimore MD
(2/27/2004)
"Surreal" (about: 2002)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 New York City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 There is NOTHING which compares to the NYC marathon. There is so much about it that is topnotch, world-class and incomparable. There is so much good to be said which one can read in the numerous reviews. There are two problems though. Runners are made to gather on Staten Island and wait for over three hours before the starting gun. Outside. It sucks. It was cold and the wait seemd to go on forever. Did I mention it sucked? Secondly, when you cross the finish line and go into the chutes you must continue walking. If you are cramped up and need to sit, then you are in a bad way. You must keep walking (agonizingly slowly) for about three quarters of a mile. That said, I would still strongly recommend it to anyone. If you are a marathoner, it should be experienced. I wish I could give the spectators 10 stars. They were just that great. | |
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K. P. from Syracuse, NY
(2/13/2004)
"Why start in Staten Island?" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 A life-long New Yorker, I ran this race for the first time in '03. Can't figure out why this race has to start in Staten Is., other than to touch all 5 boroughs. Seems to me, this race should start in Battery Park City, go through Manhattan's east side, go the other way over the 59th St. Bridge, through Queens (the race spends almost no time in Queens), over the Triborough, into the Bronx and then finish up in Central Park. To start in Staten Island makes no sense and is troublesome to all runners. | |
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J. E. from New York City
(2/5/2004)
"A 26.2 Mile Party and Your'e Invited!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Absolutely, positively the most fun you will ever have running 26.2 miles! Great but challenging course (5 bridges). You will not find better, more enthusiastic crowd support anywhere in this planet. Sure it's crowded and the course is a little tough, so don't look to PR here. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in the most electric race on this earth. | |
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T. K. from Welland, Ontario, Canada
(1/31/2004)
"Fantastic Fans-Great Organization-Amazing City" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 New York is the most fantastic city. It was a spectacular warm day. The organization of the event was very well run. I couldn't believe the spectators that line the streets of New York City. It was so inspiring and motivating that there was no way you could stop. The different cultures of children and families with high 5's and words of wisdom. The start was very emotional with fountain boats of red, white and blue. New York was my first marathon and has certainly hooked me on running and marathoning. The recognition after completing the marathon from New York residents and spectators was very rewarding as well. New York has been through so much in recent years and has come through with shining colors--I love New York!!!!! | |
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Marie Cimaglia from Port Jefferson Station, NY, USA
(1/6/2004)
"What a world-class event!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There are so many benefits to running this race. From the awesome and well-organized expo, to the pasta party with really great food and beverages, to the actual run itself with unbelievable crowd support and very scenic route, to the cool finisher's medal, to the party the night of the race, to the medal engravings the day after the race... there are just so many reasons to run this race. There are many more benefits you will get... just run this race and you'll see. It truly is a life-changing experience! | |
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John Ciferni from Waldorf, Maryland
(12/29/2003)
"The Weather Makes The Difference!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The 2002 NYC Marathon was my first ever. I trained well, was exicited and had what I thought was a perfect, cold 44-degree day. I was psyched to be there, experience a world-class marathon, amazing crowds and the experience surpassed everything I could hope for. In 2003, I was selected by lottery for a second year and was elated! It was still a great marathon, but hard as hell this time around. It was about 70 degrees and by mile 20 I felt like I had hit that 'wall' which I never hit the year prior. The crowds were still amazing and truly make you feel like a rock star. However, in 2002 I remember feeling sad as I entered Central Park knowing my months of preparation were about to come to an end. In 2003, I was ready for the marathon to be over at mile 21 in Harlem! But it made it all the more special knowing i completed the 2003 marathon with all the heat and pain! My only complaints about the event is the organization at the race completion in Central Park. I know there are over 30,000 runners but if your bib color is blue (or whatever the last color is to pick up your baggage), it seems like you have to walk miles to claim your belongings. I think a more efficient way to claim personal items at the race end needs to be explored. | |
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M. B. from Fort Lauderdale, FL
(12/28/2003)
"Amazing Event" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had such a great time in 2002, that I came back for a return visit in 2003. There are so many positives in running this race that its hard to name them all... but of course, the biggest reason is the fan support. Simply amazing... from the unique ethnicities of Brooklyn, to masses on 1st Ave, to Harlem & Bronx, Central Park South, and running in Central Park... it just doesn't get much better than this for those of us that run road race after road race with no or little fan support just for the love of the sport. This is our reward. 2003 was unusually hot, & after making the classic mistake of going out too fast, I thought my day was pretty much done at around mile 24 when suddently a female African American police officer for some reason picked me to encourage on & started cheering me on & running beside me until I was able to recover and continue on. And I will forever be grateful for this unknown hero, as I qualifed for Boston with only 14 seconds to spare!! For the negatives I read on this site, I simply say 'stop whining'. I can understand big city/big event races are not for everyone, but surely everyone realizes what they've signed on for... Enjoy everyone & NYC, I'll be back! | |
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Russ Thurman from Seattle
(12/28/2003)
"It is an experience" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 No other marathon is an experience like the NYC Marathon. The course is fairly hard, so don't do it for a fast time. But do it. |
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