NYC Marathon 2016
1. Pre-Race -
MOTELS -- where to stay -- I had a hard time deciding where to stay -- close to times square for sightseeing or close to the finish line or Expo or somewhere inbetween -- as it turns out it really does not matter -- pick a place - everything is spread out -- myself I decided close to the finish -- good choice for me there were bicycle taxis near the finish line otherwise you have to walk 1 or 2 blocks away to find a cab or catch your uber ride -- that is as close as they can get -- everything is blocked off around the park --
THE EXPO - its a mad house -- have your confirmation sheet with you or on your phone and an ID with your picture -- can not pick up your packet without it -- first race I have been to where they actually wanted to see the confirmation sheet -- other races say that but only look at ID when you pick up packet -- if you have been to a rock n roll expo - its like that -- a section of NYC Marathon stuff separate from the rest of the expo --
SIGHTSEEING -- look at what you might like to see -- esp shows and buy tickets 2-3 months in advance to get good seats -- other things you can pretty much get while there
RIDE TO THE START -- read the material carefully -- I did not -- there are buses if you choose your ride early - they fill up fast -- I got on the Staten Island Ferry at 5:45AM -- over all not that bad -- yes it was very early to the start but there were some benefits --- no big crowd to board the ferry - I understand you can ride the ferry at anytime but around 7 or so there are huge crowds to get on -- and the buses to take you to the start at the other end are crowed also with long lines to get on -- at the starting area early there are no lines for the bathrooms and you can stake out a good spot to wait and there are plenty of refreshments at that time -- later there were long lines everywhere and all the good waiting spots were taken -- I dont know about the busses because I rode the ferry -- also dont take any large back packs -- you can take fanny packs, food and water bottles(they will be checked) -- you can take whatever will fit in the clear plastic bag your packet came in -- ours was checked by dogs/metal detectors and we had a pat down before entering the runners village -- and if you did not have a race number -- NO ENTRY -- so no family with you ---
THE START - you are in waves and corrals --- I had an 11am start in the next to last corral -- I put a 4:45 est finish -- most all the people in my corral said they were going to finish in 5-6 hours --- apparently there are alot of faster people running -- actual start was 11:15am
THE COURSE - typical marathon course -- uphill, downhill how can you run 26.2 miles without some hills -- the worst part for me was the bridges -- they were steeper and longer than I thought they might be but they also had a downhill side that was equally steep and long -- 1st ave is a long uphill and so I thought 5 ave to the finish would be downhill -- oh no -- it also is a long uphill to central park then it flattens out with the last 1/2 to 3/4 mile uphill -- overall this a great course -- I have ran courses with more and steeper hills. the water stations were great -- gatorade/water about every mile or so --- lots of potties --- lots of people yelling along the course ( that is great and keeps you going ) -- there was one GU station about mile 16 -- had yucky flavors but it was GU -- glad I had my own protein bar and fruit gatorade (got tired of the lime) --
THE FINISH -- it is an uphill finish -- the only bad thing about the finish is the mile or so walk to get your post-race poncho (great poncho by the way) or your checked bag from UPS -- once you leave the finish area cant get back to see other friends or family finish -- or its hard to do so -- you can use your finisher medal to gain entrance to some but not all areas that required credentials --
POST RACE -- marathon monday -- on monday after the race at the pavillion they have medal engraving and clothing with Finisher on it -- opens at 7am --- lines are long -- its $25 for medal engraving - if that is what you want - go there first then go shopping -- get there about 6:30-6:45 to be early in line -- then you will have time to go shopping afterwards -- if you shop first you have to go back out and stand in line for medal engraving --

sorry that this is so lenghty but since I was a newby I thought I would give other newbys my insights -- pay close attention to the pre-race part that is the more important and the part I got the least help with even from people I knew that had run the race previously -- If you get -- find someone that has run the race and really nail them down for some pre-race info -- dont take "just read the info" for an answer --

I recommend anyone run this race -- Its a great experience -- if you are going to run just one marathon this is the ONE.