New
York City Marathon 2008
New York's annual marathon
has grown from a minor race in Central
Park with 127 runners
to a city-wide event with almost 40,000
runners (and even more who would like to
run it, but logistics prevents the
organizers from granting spots to
everyone). These runners -- and the more
than 2 million spectators who show up to
cheer them on -- come from across the
globe to be a part of one of the world's
largest and most famous running
competitions.
In honor of the marathon,
the Empire State Building will glow with
the marathon colors throughout marathon
weekend. Watch for the orange, blue, and
white lights that offer support to all of
the athletes taking the marathon
challenge. And to generate even more
excitement, look for the spectacular
fireworks display in Central
Park Saturday night
(otherwise knows as "Marathon
Eve").
The Marathon starts on the
Staten Island section of the Verrazano
Narrows Bridge, proceeds through Brooklyn
and Queens, crosses into Manhattan and up
to the Bronx, and is completed back in
Manhattan near Central Park's Tavern on the Green.
The following is our
insider's guide to watching the Marathon:
Best Places to Watch
the Race
Good views of the
Marathon can be had on First Avenue
between 60th Street and 96th Street (the
latter is near the 18 mile mark). From
this vantage point, the race is far
enough along to get a sense of who is
leading, without encountering the bedlam
that occurs at the finish. After you have
seen the lead runners go by here, catch
them again on Fifth Avenue before they
enter Central Park at 90th Street. We
also recommend that you take a look at
the ING
New York City Marathon spectator guide to
help you decide where to stand and cheer
for the runners this November 2nd. The
guide provides you with subway directions
and a course map to plan your route
around the course.
What to Watch For
Don't miss the
leaders in the three main groups: the
disabled participants in the Achilles Track Club,
the first man, and the first women. Part
of the fun of the marathon is watching
the media jockey for close up shots of
the leaders. From helicopters overhead to
bicycle-cams, it is likely that they will
be everywhere. Enjoy the spectacle,
remembering that at least part of the
excitement is that there is real money at
stake here for the elite runners: last
year's total purse was $829,300 in prize
and bonus payouts (the largest in race
history).
In recent years, the
marathon has also proved to be a great
place for watching celebrities. Katie
Holmes famously ran the NYC course in
2007; but she's only one in a long list
of famous people who have attempted it.
But with all the excitement
about who will win, which celebrity
you'll recognize, and who will set course
records, don't forget about cheering on
the thousands of runners who, year after
year, say it is the support of the
spectators who keep them going. NYC has a
remarkable finisher rate (97% in 2007) --
and people who have the run the race say
they owe it all to the encouragement of
strangers who cheered them on.
Places It is Best To
Avoid
Needless to say, there are some
spots you absolutely want to stay away
from. We find the finish line near Tavern
on the Green to be a nightmare, if you
can even get near it. And, naturally, the
areas near all the water stations can be
hazardous -- stay away and let the
volunteers and runners tend to business.
Carbo-Loading Before
the Race
Looking for a place with great
pasta the night before the race? Even if
you are not running yourself, get into
the spirit of things at Carmine's
(200 West 44th Street or 2450 Broadway)
or join the traditional feast at Tavern
on the Green (Central Park West and 67th
Street).
More Marathon
Information
For more race details, visit the official
ING New York City
Marathon web site and
the New York Road
Runners web site.
For a first-timer's perspective see The Insider's Guide
for First Time Marathoners.
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