NYC Marathon Course tips from people who have ran

Fair enough. I did note that I only ran it once and that it was a crazy day. Just out of curiousity, what was incorrect?

Easy Peasy wrote:

Smoove I usually respect your posts, but your NYC review is pretty bad. A lot of what you’ve said is either outdated, wrong, or really only relevant for the one time you ran it.

What is it that you disagree with? I wrote out my post after his and found his course description pretty spot on. What I'm seeing (& based on my personal experience) is that, overall, the race is pretty amazing but you have to be prepared for the start and then judge the course right by planning for the hills. I think even running NYC once, someone can put all of that together like he did. I thought it was pretty sound advice & agree with much of what the other people on here have been saying. Do you have something different to add? I like hearing different people's takes on the big races out there. There's always something to learn.

iirc 2014 was the really windy year, other than that i'm good with smoove's write up

You are correct. I misspoke when I said I ran it in 2015. I ran it in 2014.

I completely misread one part of his post regarding the end of the race, so I retract that it was outright wrong.

I will say I disagree with his crowd support in the Bronx vs 1st Ave. I find 1st ave each time I run it to be very disappointing. It’s just a bunch of people in their 20s looking to be part of the scene, whereas the crowds in most other neighborhoods feel just like that, a neighborhood. In fact, there were points I found eerily quiet for how many people there were. I also think a lot of people are also just looking for “their” runner, whereas you find in other parts of the course that people will cheer everyone. The Bronx I think is unique and has a more diverse crowd.

The worst crowd support in the whole thing is in Harlem in general, on both 1st ave and 5th ave. I actually find more people walking around the Jewish part of Brooklyn than in Harlem.

Like I said, fair enough. Different folks can tech different conclusions based on their experience. I was thinking maybe the description of the end of the race might have been wrong. Things went a little dark for me just before I entered the park for the first time.

It’s interesting you like Chicago more. I wonder if your luck with weather this year influences that at all. I’ve always run NYC instead of Chicago because you are much more likely to run in warm weather in Chicago (avg temp is almost 10 degrees warmer for the race).

I got pretty decent weather in Chicago in 2015 as well (sunny and 60). But honestly, it is mostly the logistics. I can stay at a hotel that is a 10 minute walk from the start and the finish. And the course is flat and fast (I was always more of a track guy than a cross country guy and Chicago feels like 26.2 miles of a track event as compared to the NYC course which someone else described as a cross country course. Every split could be virtually the same if you put forth the same effort in Chicago. That appeals to me.

I also compounded the logistical challenges with some post race meet up confusion (relating to Columbus Circle v Columbus Ave). So it could be partially the weather and partially my unique experience. I have heard others say some similar things though. With Chicago, the sole risk, admittedly a big one, is the weather.

Just wanted to say thanks a ton to everyone who posted! My first time too (Green Wave 1) and all this info is MUCH appreciated.

I agree. One of the amazing things about the NYC marathon is that you get to run through such diverse neighborhoods. Crowd support is really quite fantastic throughout.

That's fair, but the course is known in NYC whereas the weather at Chicago is not. I do actually think Chicago requires a special kind of training: completely flat. If you live in an area with rolling hills, I've heard that a lot of people do poorly at Chicago because they're so used to recruiting different muscles going up and down hills that when they're forced to use the same exact ones for 26.2 flat, they don't do as well. Just a thought.

Anyway, moral of the story for how to run the course:

1) Verazzano will force you to start slow, but make sure you don't blast it down the back end

2) Keep it controlled on 4th ave

3) Queensboro will take some out of you, but same as Verazzano, don't blast it down the back end

4) Do not pick it up on 1st Ave

5) Assess how you feel once you enter the Bronx, as the Willis Ave bridge is a good test of your fitness at that point in the race. If you still feel good after getting over that bridge, you're in good shape and can pick it up 5-10 seconds per mile

6) 5th Ave is the worst hill in the course because of how long it is and where it is in the race, even if it's not the steepest. You will hate that hill the rest of your life

7) Once you get over it, it's time to give it all you've got if there's anything left in the tank as there's only 2.5 miles left. Central Park hills are annoying at this point in the race as the downhills can really get you, but it is net downhill after 5th ave.

Lafayette-->Bedford stretch of the race is by far the most fun in this guy's opinion.

Race narrows after being super wide down 4th avenue and you feel like you have the crowds hovering over you.

And, you have the brooklyn running clubs there going crazy for everyone.

Music from some bands.

Coming off the queensboro bridge is billed as being the best crowd support, but I'm always disappointed by it and it pales in comparison to the brooklyn support.

If you have friends watching you, try to get them to watch you on 5th avenue near the park or after you enter the park. I almost cried when my running buddy ushered me along there in a total surprise.

One other note. There is no water for about 2 miles once you get to the queensboro. Definitely take some at the last stop in queens. Especially if you are due for a gel soon (if going that route).

Good point here. If you have friends/family that want to see you twice, have them meet you once high up on 1st ave in the 80s-90s area (around mile 18), then they can slowly walk over to 5th ave while you run through the bronx, and catch you again around mile 22-23. Like the above poster said, having some extra motivation around that tough hill climbing 5th ave is great.

FWIW, I would never recommend this, of course, but if you know someone who wants to jump in for a few miles, this is the place to do it as well. Plenty of easy spots to jump in/out once you get above the big crowds on 1st from 59th up to the mid 80s or so. Easy enough to get out either on 5th or in the park - just make sure you're out before leaving the park onto central park south.

My opinion; The worst part is the start. Jammed. Can't really run. Windy windy, windy across the bridge. People doing crazy, stupid stuff, cutting people off, running up on barriers...

People complain about the logistics being such a PITA, but at least you get an extra hour of sleep because NYC is run the day we set clocks back for daylight savings. So at least that compensates a bit for having to head to the start so early.

I've run it 3 times. As others have said the hill up 5th Ave is the worst. Because it's so long and late in the race. QB is long and a bit steep, but at mile 15 to 16, if you are having a tough time there, then you've got big problems ahead.

Don't waste too much energy zigzagging around people at the start on the Verrezzano. You'll need that energy later. NYC is great course. Although the hills and Bridges aren't that tough, no one would call NYC an easy course.

Don't waste time in the start village. There are plenty of porto-potties in the Corrals, so get in corral as soon as it opens. You'll have plenty of open space in corral early. But make sure you go before they walk you up on the bridge, because there's no where to go after that.

MelRnr wrote:

But make sure you go before they walk you up on the bridge, because there's no where to go after that.

always a good idea for men to bring an empty plastic bottle to pee into, while in the corrals.

GBT wrote:

MelRnr wrote:

But make sure you go before they walk you up on the bridge, because there's no where to go after that.

always a good idea for men to bring an empty plastic bottle to pee into, while in the corrals.

You’re overhydrating if you need to pee on the bridge. You should spend the morning topping off all the hydration you did over the last 48 hours, not guzzling down 64oz of Gatorade. The morning of the race, I pee when I wake up, once when I get off the bus, and once in the corral. If you need to go more than 3 times in the 5 hours you’re awake, you’re doing it wrong.

MelRnr wrote:

But make sure you go before they walk you up on the bridge, because there's no where to go after that.

Very true, you see people peeing off the bridge in the first half mile. Even saw a woman doing it with all that wind.....

Plan people.

anyone have any experience with the pace groups? I'm specifically wondering about the sub3. How did it work out?