The NYC Marathon is an incredible race. There slogan that "it will move you" is true as you move through the different boroughs and feel the energy from the crowd and other participants. If you follow the instructions and the information provided by the event you should have no problem logically getting to the start line and being there on time. The course itself has it's inclines but they are all manageable. Such a well organized race and an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it.