NYC MARATHON Guide

ONLY 16 MORE DAYS TO NYC MARATHON!!

actually, 16 days, 14 hours 35 minutes at the time of this post

www.ingNYCMarathon.org

If you're not running the NYC Marathon, it's still a great experience to go into Manhattan or any of the boroughs to cheer on the runners. After all, there's nothing like the feeling coming down of the 59th Street Bridge to hear the roar of the crowd along First Avenue . (I guess that's why many runners crash at Mile 21 - at the end of First Avenue?!)

Didn't get that last minute entry to NYC? Want to still be part of the excitement?

For those of you who haven't spectated before, or are traveling to NYC for the first time to cheer someone on, here's some recommendations from when I've spectated and cheered on friends running - and where its been needed most while I was running. Follow this route and you can get to see your runners 3-4 times during the marathon.


For a map of the course, additional spectator info - be sure to check out the NYC Marathon office site at www.ingNYCmarathon.org

Stop#1
BROOKLYN - Mile 8 @ school of music
This is where the multiple starts come together. If you're at the school of music (St Felix & Lafayette) you'll be able to see anyone starting in each of the different corals.
From Manhattan, you can take C subway line to Lafayette Ave/Fulton Street stop


Stop#2
MANHATTAN - Mile 17  @ First Avenue & 77th Street
From Stop#1 in Brooklyn, take C subway line to Broadway-Nassau/Fulton Street and switch to the 4-5-6 line and take to 86th Street/Lexington Ave


Stop#3
MANHATTAN - Mile 24  @ Central Park
Walk from Lexington Ave west toward Central Park. You'll end up at close to the mile 24 marker.
You'll need to navigate the entrance to the park either at 90th street (at engineer's gate) or through one of the other foot paths.



Stop#4
MANHATTAN - Mile 26-finish  @ Central Park South
If your legs are feeling fresher than the runner you're cheering for - you might just be able to make it for one more viewing by jogging along some of the marathon route in the park and then heading SouthWest toward Tavern on The Green.
Not quick enough? Then you'll be close to the finish line and be able to meet them shortly after their finish in the Family Reunion Area.


If you're a first time New York Marathoner, chances are your friends & family are first time spectators.
So for those of you spectating for the first time -- here are some quick reminders:

-Be loud! Running out there for a few hours is tough - show them your support
-Be courteous. Most places will have 4-5 people deep cheering. Once you're done cheering for your running and you move on, do it quickly to allow other people a chance to find their runners
-Bring something to eat for yourself and your runner. A quick snack, Powerbar, anything can make the difference to keep going for your runner
-Plan ahead. Be sure you know how quickly your runner might be at each section. There are a lot , a lot of runners in NYC and the first few miles can be slow. If NYC has the email notice service, sign up for it - and you'll get text messages on your runners' progress.

I would have like to given you the course photo here -- but you can find the course map and more course info at:  http://ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/course.htm

Have a great run!