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

Assistance: Unofficial pacers or other unregistered participants are not permitted. (This does not apply to officially designated pacers.) A participant who receives assistance during an event from anyone other than official medical personnel may be disqualified.

Bandits: No individual who is not officially registered may join the event or accompany any participant in the event. Any person without an official race will be directed to leave the course immediately.

This is from the NYC marathon. You can expect to find something similar for most (if not all) races.

It's interesting that you think people should refrain from doing something they have a right to do (run down the street). It shouldn't surprise you that some people who don't share your opinion do it anyway.

whats the big deal wrote:

It's interesting that you think people should refrain from doing something they have a right to do (run down the street). It shouldn't surprise you that some people who don't share your opinion do it anyway.

No. It doesn't surprise me at all.

Most municipalities in the US allow the permitting of public roads and spaces for special events. A permit is issued only after the various municipal agencies sign off (police, department of traffic, fire, etc.) Most permits have fees. For New York City races on the roads the cost could be in the tens of thousands of dollars even for a 10k race. Even races in Central Park require races to use only certain lanes. The permit gives the rights to the event to restrict anyone from using the roads/space other then the paid or invited participants.

In addition, the event must provide the municipality with a comprehensive insurance policy to cover the participants. Add to this the other costs that the event must pay (medical, refreshment stations, on course entertainment, sanitation, portable toilets,etc) and you end up with a very expensive situation.

Jumping onto the course to run with a friend is not allowed for a very simple reason - you didn't pay for the services. Please show some respect to those that did.

I would think your quads would probably have some issues if you jumped for 13 miles.

Don't be an A-hole. Don't do it and ruin the experience for others.

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.

Oddly enough, with your plan you may find it harder to get *off* the course than on to it.

From the southeast corner of Central Park onward, the course is completely fenced. That is probably the last 800-1000 meters if memory serves. It would be extremely weird to see someone in race gear stop, walk to the side, and climb over the fence to leave the course within 3-4 minutes of finishing. People will be telling you to get back in it, to go ahead and finish. I can't imagine how you would push your way out and then go...where?

In short, if you are getting out, get out before that 90-degree right turn. Even then it will be conspicuous as hell to drop out.

you probably WILL have an issue, because i'll be waiting for you at the half mark holding a big tree branch with about 20 rusty nails sticking out of it waiting to club your IT bands to a pulpseriously, why ask these questions on a public forum, you numbskull?!

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?

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?

Buddy have a nice cock? Trimmed bush?

If this is your friend's first marathon, you're doing him a disservice. This is his

day, he doesn't need you to hold his hand. He should be proud of finishing on

his own, not have you forever take part of the glory, because you "helped" him.

Plus, he likely knows that this kind of assistance is against the rules, so technically, he will have never finished the race according to the rules.

Talk to your friend, and tell him you'll wait for him after the finish. He's good enough to run on his own.