Better for a run

On 5 November 2023 I ran the New York Marathon. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, with a fantastic crowd atmosphere that pulls you around the 26.2 miles. This is what I learnt as someone travelling to New York from outside the USA to take on this iconic run.

Getting a Place

Although there are 50,000 places at the New York Marathon, you need to follow one of the entry methods to get the opportunity to run the five-boroughs:

• International tour operators – As a non-US resident I got a guaranteed entry through one of the official international tour operators. This was part of a package that included a hotel, transfers, guide and post-marathon party. I have to say it took away the stress of running a marathon in a different country, and made the whole experience so much easier. Travelling by myself it was great to meet other runners, with a pre-race briefing, reps available to answer questions and a warm-up run the morning before to see the finish line. I would definitely recommend using a tour operator for future international marathons.
• 9 + 1 program – The New York Road Runners (NYRR.org) run a scheme for members where if they run nine qualifying NYRR races and have volunteered at one qualifying event they are guaranteed a non-complimentary entry to the New York City Marathon.
• Enter the ballot or “drawing” – Around February time the lottery opens to enter the New York City Marathon. As with any lottery it is down to luck whether you end up being part of the 5% of entrants that get selected. However, if you don’t try …
• Run fast – Like many marathons, faster runners can by-pass the lottery if they are able to meet qualifying times during the qualifying period. So for example this year a man aged 18-34 would need to demonstrate they could run a marathon in 2:53:00. A woman aged 18-34 would need to demonstrate they could do the same in 3:13:00. This definitely not an option for me, but if you are a quick runner then this could be for you!
• Charity places – There are two charity options available. The first is to run with the New York Road Runners’ Team for Kids. This supports the organisation’s youth and community running program. It has a minimum fundraising target. Secondly to apply for a charity place with one of the official list of charities. Again, there will be a minimum fundraising target.

Arriving in New York

Whether arriving by plane, train or automobile I would recommend arriving at the latest on the Friday before the marathon. This gives you time to orientate yourself, and get used to the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.

Importantly you need to give yourself time to visit the New York City Marathon Expo which is where you collect your bib for the race. This was open 2-4 November for the 2023 race taking place on the 5 November. I loved visiting the Expo and the nervous excitement of everyone there. There were loads of opportunities to buy running gear and visit the wall with all the runners names on it.

As well as the Expo, I used the preceding days to find the same pre-race breakfast as I eat at home (remember nothing new for a race day) and doing a dry-run of my journey to the Staten Island ferry so that I knew exactly where I would need to go on race-day. I made sure I knew which restaurant I would go the night before to carb-load – a pasta restaurant of course!

Preparing for the big day

The temptation in New York is to visit all the amazing sights, and tire your legs walking around. However, I was strict with myself and planned that for after the marathon.

On the Saturday morning the tour company organised a short warm-up run from our hotel to the finishing line in Central Park which was fantastic for imagining where you would hopefully be some 24 hours plus later. They also held a briefing at one of the hotels for all the tour company runners which was helpful for answering everybody’s questions.

I then visited the Expo to collect my bib and spend loads on my credit card on the vast array of New York Marathon merchandise! After lunch I then went to a pre-booked matinee Broadway show. My logic was that this would both stop me walking around Manhatten and importantly distract me from thinking about the marathon. It worked and I would thoroughly recommend it!

After laying out all my kit for the big day, I then went out for the obligatory pasta dinner, and then early to bed.

Getting to the start

Official transportation to the start is offered for all entrants. This is selected when you been offered your place, and is printed on your bib. There are four options:

• Staten Island Ferry/Shuttle Bus (90 minutes): You take the subway to the Whitehall Terminal. The free ferry then transports runners to the St. George Terminal on Staten Island, from which free buses transport runners to the start line at Fort Wadsworth.
• Midtown Manhatten Bus (90 minutes): Buses transport runners directly from the New York Public Library (5th Avenue at 42nd Street) to Fort Wadsworth.
• New Jersey Bus (60 minutes): Buses transport runners from MetLife Stadium Parking Lot K to Fort Wadsworth.
• Midtown Ferry (60 minutes): Ferry transports runners from Midtown/East River to the St. George Terminal on Staten Island, from which buses transport runners to Fort Wadsworth

I selected the Staten Island Ferry/Shuttle Bus option as the ferry takes you past the Statue of Liberty which is an amazing start to the day. I am so glad I did as there was a great atmosphere on the ferry.

You will be allocated a time to be at the Whitehall Terminal which is linked to your Wave (more soon). As mentioned above, practicing the subway trip from your hotel to the Whitehall Terminal in advance allows you to work out how long you will need to get there, and working back, what time you will need to get up!

Needless to say there is a lot of time between leaving your hotel and actually starting the race. It is important to note there is no bag transport from the start to the finish, so this means wearing clothes that you are prepared to discard to the start line. These can then be put in recycling bins that are available at the Fort Wadsworth start area. It made me smile seeing how the normally fashion conscious running crowd arrived in their charity shop clothes, onesies, Duvets, bin bags and other attire!

Once at Fort Wadsworth you will head to your colour-coded village (Blue, Orange or Pink). These all have the same facilities including Information, Toilets and some food. I have to say I thought the food options were limited, so I would bring everything you want to eat ahead of the race with you (remember nothing new on race-day!).

There is quite a bit of waiting around before your wave gets called so I also brought a magazine to read. As with any race there will be queues for the toilets so make sure you allow plenty of time for that (and the inevitable repeat visit(s)!).

They will announce when the corrals open for your wave. This was 30 minutes ahead of the start time for the wave, and closed 15 minutes after opening. As it was a mild sunny morning the majority of additional clothing was dropped in the recycling bins before the corral.

There are further toilets in the corral.

The race

The US national anthem is sung, the cannon fires, and the 26.2 mile journey starts!

The course starts by crossing the 2 mile long Verrazono Bridge from Staten Island to Brooklyn. Depending on your corral you may be on the lower or upper deck of the bridge. After the noise of the start things go eerily quiet as everyone gets into their stride.

As you come off the bridge you start to see and hear the first support which heartens your journey up miles 2-8 of Fourth Avenue through hip Brooklyn. It is such a lovely family orientated part of the route as you feel miles away from the skyscrapers of Manhatten.

At mile 8 the three separate orange, pink and blue lanes merge and you head in to the party atmosphere of Williamsburg. The music, cheering and smells of food are amazing, and at times it feels like you are running through the crowds as they are in touching distance of you. It is hard not to stop there and enjoy the rest of Sunday in the fun.

The half way mark sees you enter Queens and start to climb up to the Queensboro Bridge. This is hard both because of the elevation, and because the crowds are less here. Time to really focus.

As you cross into Manhatten it again goes eerily quiet as you pad through the tunnel-like bridge. Towards the end you sense something happening. You turn the corner at mile 16 to a wall of noise that hits you and almost overwhelms you after the gloom of the bridge.

The route then opens out on to the wide First Avenue and enormous crowds. Having what feels like 100’s of people shouting your name is amazing and you really feel you a star.

The crowds take you up the three miles into the Bronx. As the people thin out a little here it gives you a chance to take stock and get yourself set for the last 10K of the race.

You remind yourself of the mantra that a marathon only starts at mile 20, and head back into Manhatten down Fifth Avenue and alongside Central Park, entering at mile 24. The crowds are back to full strength here and take you over the undulations of the park. This is the last thing you want at this point, but the home-made signs and encouragement of everyone there gets you through it.

You exit at mile 25 to enormous crowds who take you through the turn back into the park and the gentle climb up to the finishing line. It feels like you are running on fumes at this point but you cannot let yourself or the terraced crowds down to cross the line.

The finish

You receive your bright orange poncho, finisher medal and recovery bag. Drinking your Gatorade and munching your pretzels the orange wrapped runners meander wearily for 20-30 minutes to the exit at West 77th Street. Here you can have your photos taken and then walk further to the exits at West 76th, West 74th or West 69th Street.

Runners that have done a pre-check bag can retrieve this between West 72nd Street and West 69th Street.

Post-finish

Walking back with the medal round your neck you get total strangers congratulating you on your achievement. The next day you see people wearing their medals and the congratulations continuing.

The next day is known as Marathon Monday and is an event held at the Marathon Pavilion where you can get your medal engraved, seek recovery through physio-therapists, and shop for finisher apparel.

My top tips

So what would be my top tips?

• Make a plan and keep to it – Reduce your anxiety and stress by having a clear plan. Don’t amend it just because another runner says they are doing something different!
• Do a dry-run of the marathon morning journey – Again take the anxiety away on the morning by knowing which subway and route you will take.
• Bring old clothes – You will need warm clothes that you are prepared to give away at the start line. They go to charity so don’t think they go to waste.
• Put your name on your vest – The crowds are amazing and hearing them shout your name will help get you around.
• Don’t do anything different on race day – The old adage remains true. Don’t eat or wear anything or you have not tried in training.

And finally enjoy an amazing marathon in an amazing city!