Will I Have an Issue Jumping in NYC Marathon 2nd Half w/ a Friend?

Depending upon where in the pack your friend is, it might be tough to find them. 1st Ave is crazy with spectators. Try to find your friend before the 59th street bridge, rather than after. My wife tried to find me as I entered Manhattan, and I ran right by her along with a thousand others-in the 3:10 pace vicinity.

I jumped in right before 59th bridge and ran all the way into Central Park, had to peal off around e 70 close to boat house. They start looking for race bibs there.

DrJohn wrote:

I've run the race a dozen times, but not in a while. I am just running the second half with a buddy then peeling off on mile 26 somewhere.

Always such a circus but do they look for bandits along the course?

Shouldn't have a problem at all! It might be logistically hard though - I'd talk to someone with more experience so you can make it look seamless.

Try emailing a good friend of mine:

Wear a thin running jacket if you'r really concerned since a lot of people run with them and their bibs are underneath... You'd blend in with the running crowd. There honestly is no "bib police", lol. Once you get onto the street you're in the clear.

Last year the crowds were really thin at the halfway marker and you could easily have jumped in there

Queens seemed pretty wide open last year, any chance you can hook up before the 59th st bridge? First Ave is nuts

Won't there be other runners around him that he can latch on to/pace off of.

Y'know, actual registered entrants.

You are why the 'thon is such a joke these days. Every marathoner has to have their own personal escort; particularly women.

You are not jumping in; you are banditting. Have some self-respect.

Norbert? Is that you?

Rosie?

The real pros at this jump in right at the base of the bridge. You avoid all the start BS and run 95% of the race.

mahmoud wrote:

Won't there be other runners around him that he can latch on to/pace off of.

Y'know, actual registered entrants.

You are why the 'thon is such a joke these days. Every marathoner has to have their own personal escort; particularly women.

You are not jumping in; you are banditting. Have some self-respect.

I never considered that I would destroy Marathon running. I will reconsider.

I jumped in on First ave in the 80s and ran with a friend up until engineers gate - no problem at all. The story I've always heard is they don't get serious about looking for bandits until entering the park, and especially near columbus circle

I hate you. I really do. Just follow the freaking rules. Here's what I would I do: Email the RD. Ask him, "With this massive race that you're putting on, would you mind if I don't pay an entry but hop in midway so that I can help pace, illegally, my buddy?" See what he says. If he says yes, do it. If he says no, THEN DON'T DO IT. Rules apply to you too, dick.

What does the RD know? Is there a law now which says only people who pay him can run down the street?

On days like this, yes. The street is NOT a public area at this time.

Moby Dick wrote:

I hate you. I really do. Just follow the freaking rules. Here's what I would I do: Email the RD. Ask him, "With this massive race that you're putting on, would you mind if I don't pay an entry but hop in midway so that I can help pace, illegally, my buddy?" See what he says. If he says yes, do it. If he says no, THEN DON'T DO IT. Rules apply to you too, dick.

Love the sanctimonious pieces of dung who decide what rules they follow and what rules you should follow.

As a legal matter that is incorrect.

Fair, I shouldn't have written "legally." I didn't mean in the court of law, simply in the "court of road racing." LEGALLY it's not illegal to cut a course. LEGALLY you don't need a TUE. Point being it's so stupid and rude to everyone else who paid to race there and to everyone who does not use a pacer. ("Pacer" being someone there to support you, not necessarily even there to help you run a set pace, just there as encouragement.) I don't have my entire family come out to the local 5k and pace me in the last mile, crowding the course.

You're a dick.

I've never really understood the "pacing a friend in a marathon" phenomenon.

It's a race. It's supposed to be hard. That's why it's gratifying. Get through it on your own. Earn it.

And yes, the race has rules. If you break the rules, you're cheating. You might not care that you're cheating, but you're still cheating.

whats the big deal wrote:

What does the RD know? Is there a law now which says only people who pay him can run down the street?

I expected this response, just not so fast.

PS - the internet is all about you.