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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 521 to 531]
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Keith River from Mississippi
(10/14/2003)
"You MUST run this marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I will get the caveats in first. Yes, you will wait in line. Yes, every event is crowded. Yes, the wait before the race is long and cold. But... forget about it... it's New York! This race was without a doubt one of the highlights of my entire life. I had never been to NYC so what a way to see the city, all five boroughs, all in 4 hours! Best memories: seeing Manhattan from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (I gotta run THAT far?), the huge crowds in Brooklyn screaming their lungs out, over 40 bands along the course, the calm of the 59th Street Bridge and the wall of noise when I came off of it, the crowds lining 1st Avenue, my wife at mile 18 (love ya babe!), getting BACK into Manhattan, my wife again at mile 23, Central Park (don't underestimate the hills), getting BACK into Central Park, the 26-mile banner, the most famous finish line anywhere! One word of advice: take a old blanket with you to the Fort. It will feel mighty good! Before AND after the race! And actually the LONG walk after the finish sped up my recovery. I had very little soreness or stiffness after the race and even on Monday. Of course the excellent microbrews consumed on Sunday night may have had something to do with that. Run this race. Not for time, but for the sheer enjoyment of an extremely special event. You won't be sorry. I love New York! | |
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m. o. from Capistrano Beach (Dana Pt), California
(8/17/2003)
"The best - like being a star of the Macy's Parade " (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 For the rest of my life I will recall scenes from the race to inspire me. I've done Big Sur, Maui, Ave of the Giants, Marine Corps, etc., and this was the best. Coming from Calif., the cold was new, but not bad until after - the long walk to the UPS truck. I would advise non-New Yorkers to plan their exit better than I did - cabs and crosstown buses may not run during the race, and the subway stops at the finish may be far from your hotel. It was not the race but the freezing trek back to the hotel after the marathon that hurt me the most. But there are so many historical memories - the Queensboro bridge, which wasn't that bad - (try Catalina marathon), turning that corner into Manhattan, seeing Central Park. Beware of old ladies with big purses who cross the street suddenly in Harlem. Take the ferry so you don't freeze in Staten Island for hours. And it's true that men relieve themselves off the top bridge, so if you are on the bottom bridge you might not want to have your head hanging out to gawk at scenery. | |
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S. O. from London, UK
(7/11/2003)
"The Greatest Marathon on Earth" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I weep when I think of Nov. 3rd, 2002. One of the greatest days of my life... thank you New York.. thank you all so much... what an amazing experience.. I feel privileged... Thank you to the people of NY.. THE BEST SPECTATORS IN THE WORLD. Folks, I know the bridges are tough... but do yourself one favor, and if you only ever run one marathon, make it this one... I can say no more. I was truly moved. Thank you to the good people of NY. This is the capital of the world. | |
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Martin Andrew Keith Sutherland from London, England
(6/6/2003)
"A universal experience running via land sea & air" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The main obstacle of this race is the weather before the start. A comprehensive way of getting familiar with New York City as an unforgettable experience. A city within one of the larger continents of the world, North America holds such great expectations. An event with suspense, mystery, and intrigue. The Central Park climax offers an official sense of receipt. | |
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H. E. from Warrington, England
(5/6/2003)
"Fantastic atmosphere" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 An excellent marathon, the whole city was taken over by runners & supporters. The course was good, though the hills in Central Park were a surprise!! | |
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Clint Tebbetts from Sea Bluff, Connecticut
(5/2/2003)
"Simply the best race you can ever hope to do!" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the New York City Marathon in 1999, 2000, 2001 and nothing can compare to the sheer magnitude of the competitors, fans and the course! If you are, smart you'll wear and bring plenty of 'throw away' clothes to keep you warm before the race. Don't be one of those who is shivering in the fetal position in shorts and a singlet in the windy 40 degree weather. You can shed the clothes as you get warmer. The good news is that all of the discarded clothes are collected and given to the homeless. I have finished an Ironman and it still can't compare to the feeling of running this race! The course is challenging and wonderful at the same time. When you check your bag at the start, make sure you have a warm set of clothes and shoes for afterwards (when you get your bag at the finish) and make sure you wear and bring many layers of clothes to the start. If you want to do one marathon in your life, do this one. If you want to know what New York is like, do this race. There is nothing like this race. Good luck in the lottery! | |
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gina house from memphis, tn
(3/25/2003)
"Fun Run" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 There is a reason that the winning times at new york are minutes off of the world records for elite runners. Now add at least 30 min to your time & relax. run this one for fun. The course is tough. The wait time at staten island really wears you out before the start, and then the iron and concrete bridges get the best of you, before central park sticks a fork in you. If i do it again i will go slow and enjoy the city & people and forget about the clock. | |
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Randy Acevedo from Arvada, Colorado
(3/9/2003)
"Unbelievable Marathon!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you want to run with people from around the world and have the best time of your life, and see the best spectators in the world cheering you on from start to finish, this is the marathon for you! I ran the 2002 NYC Marathon and it was my first - what a way to start! If you are looking to run your first marathon, make it this one. | |
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H. O. from Seal Beach, CA
(2/25/2003)
"If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere!" (about: 2001)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I ran the NYC Marathon in 2001, just seven weeks after 9/11. Understandably my experience will be more emotional than those who ran in 2000 or 2002. We were blessed with good weather, so the long wait at Staten Island was not cold. I spent the time visiting with other runners and attending the church service. I also took a magazine and crossword puzzles. Be prepared! The long wait time is no secret. I do agree with the porta potty comments. Need more at the start and through Brooklyn. Because the crowds are 6 deep, the pit stops are hard to find. The spectators are the best anywhere! The cheering never stopped all the way to the finish (and I'm a back of the packer.) In 2001 there wasn't a dry eye at the start. When we were about 2/3rd of the way over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, I heard a tremendous roar go up. I asked someone near me what that was and she said 'it's the crowd in Brooklyn cheering the lead runners.' Sent a chill through my whole body. I can't say enough about the crowd encouragement - we shouted 'We Love New York!' and they shouted 'We Love You Too!' Firemen and policemen were cheering for us - like we were the heroes. Many of us made a point to shake their hands along the route. Many in the crowd yelled 'Thanks for being here!' It was an experience that still brings tears to my eyes. I will be running it again this year and will have my name in big letters on my singlet! Just a couple of other comments: yes, the finish is a long walk -that also is no secret. It will be a long trip back to your hotel - know exactly where you will meet your family and friends. This is well explained in the prerace information. Also I was disappointed in the Expo. Not the long lines -with the extra security in 2001, that wasn't surprising. I was disappointed in the selection of race merchandise. Big Sur has by far the best, but I thought NYC could do better. A word of warning - it is easy to overdo in New York - my legs were dead before race day from tromping around Little Italy and Times Square. Try to plan your trip to do the sightseeing after the marathon. Due to the logistics of the start/finish and the emotion of a big race - also the crowds at the start and the bridges, I wouldn't expect a PR. Also I wouldn't recommend this as a first marathon for the same reasons. But I loved it! | |
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K. P. from Sarnia Canada
(2/17/2003)
"An amazing experience" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my first and thusfar only marathon, in fact it is the first organized run I have ever done. I felt the course was awesome and the fan support is unbelievable. The start sucked and as a runner without a previous time I was surrounded by slower runners (and thousands of them) I decided early on to enjoy the experience and forget about my time. I agree with several of the other comments I have read about the start. I understand the sheer size of this race makes waiting inevitable however if you are educated you can save yourself some grief. Do not get to Staten Island to early the wait is long and very very cold. (I was extremely envious of the runners cuddled up in their sleeping bags.) I was shivering and laying on the ground in the fetal position for a couple of hours desparately trying to stay motivated to run. Once 11:15 finally rolls around the actual race is fantastic, and the fans will motivate anyone to the finish line. A great way to see a great city. Hope to be back in 2003 |
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