I run a lot of races, especially in Chicago, so I know the entry fee can get expensive as the race has to cover their fees. The entry fee for this race was on the higher end (pushing $100). I expected a lot more from the race.

I'll start with the positives... The race course was multiple loops around Central Park. I thought this was pretty cool. The scenery is great and the few hills added a nice challenge. I liked the fact they changed it up and didn't give out tech tees. The race was easy to get to and there were plenty of aid stations along the way. I enjoyed the finish line festival with the music and vendor tents. It was nice to get some free samples of product I'd never heard of.

And for the reasons I would not recommend this race.... Packet pick-up was a nightmare. They had it in the NYRR office, it was hard to get in and out and there was a line of people before it even started. They didn't start pick up until 11:00 am on Saturday, I guess they assumed more people would pick up on Friday. The shirt, while not a tech tee (plus) was pretty plain. It was a simple black top with white lettering, most of which was sponsor logos. There were no shirts available for larger runners. Everything ran small. I'm a smaller runner but my friend is not, she donated her shirt immediately. The medal was a joke, by far the smallest, lightest medal I have received. They did not give out water bottles or gatorade bottles at the finish. All that was available were cups similar to what you would get on the course, this was not ideal as it was a bit warmer by the finish.

This race touted big name sponsors and had an upper entry fee, I expected a lot more than we got. I suppose if you are a local it is worth it, but I feel like there are probably a number of better races in New York for anyone looking to check NY off their states list.