The course would take us over the Verrazno Narrows Bridge, essentially 1 mile up and the second mile down. This is one of the two parts of the course that I really remember, the other portion that I remember was another bridge that had a little challenge for me was around mile 15 at the Queensboro Bridge.

For the entire 26.2-mile journey to Central Park, the environment outside of the actual course is what proved me with the most memories. Even after chatting with people after the race, they asked about certain parts but honestly I didn’t remember so here is the break down of how this race is the BEST race I have ever been part of.

The energy of the spectators was absolutely amazing. Millions of people lined the streets to cheer on random strangers that traveled from near and far to run this amazing race in their city and their boroughs. Each borough people had signs that welcomed runners into their specific neighborhood or borough, each one had their Welcome to ____ and Thank you for visiting ____, as if it were a competition between New Yorkers. The amount of sideways high-fives was awesome, as well as people yelling “GO DUDE IN GREEN” or GREAT JOB 5113″. It was all truly amazing. I was also able to witness the amazing support for the NYPD, as runners thanked them, then the crowds would go crazy and yell for runners who were NYPD!

The runners who participated … each one had a unique story of their journey from the first time marathoner (including my friend Pat) to the 27 time NYC Marathon finisher who I met on the subway well after I finished, each one Got Their New York On. At the start I was able to meet a coupe of New Yorkers who were trying to run with the 3:05:00 pacer, where I started as well, though I decided to pull away quickly into the race so I could focus on my own race day plans. Along the course I was around the group of New York runners who I met at the start and they included a “Good job Cali” as they ran along side me, suddenly I made a couple of friends along the run. Each runner in this race was genuinely excited and supportive of one another along the course and to finish the 26.2-mile journey strong.

checkout my full race report w/ photos at: http://christophermalenab.com/2014/11/04/get-your-new-york-on-marathon-day/