2017's iteration of this very popular local race was truly memorable for the sheer cold. None of which was due to the organizers' efforts, of course. The sheer unusual levels of biting wind, sub-freezing wind chills, and runway orientation (which varies to the last minute for obvious security reasons) along the bay with its mostly unrestricted ocean-facing winds (there's a bay but its barrier islands are far way) made it truly just totally cold cold cold.

The staff and volunteers all however made it as warm as could be. While the spread of stations is always only at the turnaround point due to the needs to keep the runway clear for obvious reasons, the lack of anything hot sure did make it hard to digest the cold water which we took anyways. The Port Authority staff were so kind as always as this year they towed out a 767 from Delta Airlines at the turnaround point with which to take very memorable photos. As always, tons of happily cheering airport staff and their family who mostly comprise the volunteers helped to ease the biting cold.

As always the awesome security job made it not a burden rather a part of airport life for which is life for so many of this race's participants! The tons of family they obviously feel from their heartfelt and often unique jobs with a ton of joy from both people and place all raise the mood to the special aire which helps to keep participants coming back year after year, often for decades and now generations.

Parking is super well explained on the race site and all the 100s of questions are very neatly answered in a great web format which is so good as to need little updating for years. The layout of the maps, lots, entry, registration, everything is so confidence inspiring. The signage and operational flow namely of checkin/registration makes it all take but a minute. The law enforcement are game to cheer and all the race day is just as smooth as could be.

Can't wait until the next!

Just ran it this morning & am still abuzz with happiness about it!

I arrived 40mins before the last bus departure. Everything today was very well organized starting with the all important sign to indicate the turn off from the Expressway to the parking lot which, if missed, requires a 3-4mi circle. The parking lot was precisely described with generous photos & verbiage online because it is very very important & helpful & since few would've ever been there otherwise. True to the word, everything was precisely as described which tremendously lowred stress.

The registration was long (15mins) only because the 1st grouping of surnames A-I was 3x longer than that of the other 2 groupings, but the checking staff worked very quickly, taking only 20s per checkin. The wise emcee from the lead sponsor, the JFK Rotary Club, with a very good DJ to entertain the ~2500 attendees before we boarded buses run by the PANYNJ, the airport's owner. The 9 porta-pottys there were just the right number to not have a line at any time. The many signs for checkins for teams were so very helpful. The atmosphere was clearly of an airport worker community who works hard to make this event happen every year. Especially prominent sponsors include Lufthansa, Mine Action, UNICEF, and Areas (the food vendor).

A huge props to the PANYNJ for everything from security, staff, great attitudes, obvious tons of advance planning and time and meetings and the same on race day, they did so much to make this race happen that they must be thanked.

The nice bus ride to the runway access point was 3mi, impressive that the operators would put it on despite such a long ride, but it was a very fun ride with every attendee in good spirits. So much law enforcement present to keep the whole scene safe gave neither tension nor bad vibes as the buzz and attitude were so happy by all that all law enforcement shared in the great vibe as they ensured our safety was we literally ran down an actual runway which the PANYNJ had closed just for us. Medical assistance was omnipresent with the PANYNJ medical vehicles always within sight.

Course route ran parallel to the queueing aircraft and 2 crossing runways meant landings and takeoffs were very nearby. The thrill and joy of this event experience can't be captured. The food were plentiful water at the start, halfway, and finish with many snacks back at registration where the post-race festivities were held with bagels, Starbucks, sponsors raffle, DJ, etc. Every event area has been spot-on. Even the timing vendor EliteFeats posted all results within hours. This event is tremendous & I will make it an annual one with my family.