New York - The legend.

/November 3rd 2024 - 4h05/

/Elevation 270m - Temperature 9℃

/Access via the famous ballot in February, qualification or charity bib.

/Sponsor: New Balance

/55600 finishers

"If you want to run only one marathon in your life, it has to be New York"

Strong from Barcelona marathon that I enjoyed fully, and without any foot blisters or sore legs, I was so ready for the Big Apple marathon that every runner is dreaming about.

It was rejected at the lottery, so again I paid a sports tour agency in Denmark to have a bib number and a hotel.

THE EXPO

It was woooow! Save some time and money because the NYC Marathon Expo is a proper major-marathon expo rather than simply a bib collection.

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It's held at the enormous Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Manhattan's West Side.

New Balance produces a huge NYC Marathon collection, and the expo has the usual mix of running brands, race merchandise, photos and marathon-week atmosphere.

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THE COURSE

This is one thing people don't appreciate until they actually run NYC, you don't simply leave your hotel, arrive at the start and race. It's an expedition.

Depending on your allocated transport, you generally travel via ferry/bus to Staten Island and Fort Wadsworth well before your wave. Then you wait. And wait.

That's why NYC runners traditionally arrive wearing old clothes, pyjamas, bathrobes, hoodies, hats, gloves, etc., which can be discarded before starting.

NYC currently uses five waves, three start colors (blue, orange and pink) and six corrals per wave. Your bib determines your color/wave/corral.

But then, once in your corral, when Sinatra starts singing "New York, New York", the dream comes true!

Staten Island → Brooklyn → Queens → Manhattan → Bronx → Manhattan → Central Park.

The course is not difficult but NYC definitely isn't a classic PB course. The bridges and the accumulated elevation are the main struggles.

THE WEATHER

⭐ Near-ideal marathon conditions.

Cold waiting at Staten Island, absolutely, but once running, very good.

Historically NYC averages closer to roughly 11°C at the start and 14°C for the day's high.

THE ATMOSPHERE

This is probably NYC's greatest strength, the crowd is INSANE!

Berlin is fast.

Boston has its history.

London has phenomenal crowds.

But NYC has an extraordinary sense of traveling through an entire city.

Each neighborhood changes.

Brooklyn feels like one giant party.

Queens changes the mood.

Queensboro goes silent.

First Avenue explodes.

The Bronx picks you up around the wall.

Fifth Avenue hurts.

Central Park carries you home.

And because your name is usually printed on your shirt/bib, complete strangers scream it at you.

Here below, the actual footage of me loosing 2 of my 4 magnet bib holders! FYI never put a magnet bib holder behind the pocket if you plan to open it at some point. Put it inside!

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🏅 Medal Monday

The day after the marathon, runners walk around Manhattan wearing their medals. USA really knows how to celebrate with this great tradition that you experience only during American events!

There are finisher activities and merchandise, and lots of gifts and offers just by showing your medal. I personally had free burgers for Shake shak!

Being congratulated all day by strangers feel really special!

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WHERE TO STAY

I stayed in Manhattan near Central Park, not near the start on Staten Island. The race finishes in Central Park around West 67th Street, and after 42.2 km, being able to walk back to your hotel is a huge luxury.

If you select the official Midtown bus to Staten Island (like I did) and not the ferry, staying around Bryant Park makes race morning ridiculously convenient. NYRR's Midtown buses depart from the New York Public Library/Bryant Park area and go directly to Fort Wadsworth.

In that case, Park Terrace Hotel would be one of my favorites. It's directly at Bryant Park. Bryant Park Hotel is another excellent option.

WANT TO SEE MORE?

Check at my Instagram video for a live experience!