I remember there was some discussion about this before the race, with an (NYRR?) estimate of 200,000 spectators being ridiculed. Does anyone know how many people actually turned up, or does anyone who was in Central Park want to make a guess? Good luck to everyone running in the NYM today.
My estimate would be no more than 20,000 spectators. This was the most exciting athletic competition in NYC since the Aaron Boone game. For terrible reasons, it will be remembered forever.
At/near the finish, easily 15,000. At the start, maybe 300. Along the course, more than you'd see for the typical race, maybe another 5,000.
Most of the ING marathon participants already in town and a few of NY natives walking the dog. 20-25k souls.
I'm guessing 30,000+. There was a decent group on the 4AM train I took into the city. On the course I was up by 78th St. and there had to be a couple thousand spectators there alone running through the park to see them twice on each lap. And the finish was packed. Ryan Hall's mother couldn't get through the crowd to get to her son. Also, my guess from talking to other spectators was that most weren't in town to run the marathon.
I'm guessing 25-30,000. There was a decent group on the 4AM train I took into the city. On the course I was up by 78th St. and there had to be a couple thousand spectators there alone running through the park to see them twice on each lap. And the finish was packed. Ryan Hall's mother couldn't get through the crowd to get to her son. Also, my guess from talking to other spectators was that most weren't in town to run the marathon.