Rant - NYCM puts ~300 hobby joggers at the front of the race

They should get what is relevant to them. The runners in high gates are there for competitive running. People that are there to be recognized should either be along the sidelines or in some other way displayed. They aren't there for competitive running and should interfere with those that are.

ripple wrote:

Yeah, I was in Blue 1A too. I knew about the the NYPD/FDNY thing, but this wasn't just those guys (which I get) -- it was also what looked like a whole bunch of regular charity runners. Thing is, I really don't think they liked it much either when a huge pack of now stressed-out and annoyed runners targeting the 2:30-2:45 range ran swarmed by them on the packed bridge. This was my first NYC, and overall I really enjoyed the experience, but I thought that this start set-up was a pretty bad call for all involved. I'm not sure I'd do NYC again unless I could pull a slot in the sub-elite corral (wasn't quite good enough this time) or maybe the local competitive (if I were still local).

Please tell me you gave them a friendly "nudge" as you passed by.

mahmoud wrote:

ripple wrote:

Yeah, I was in Blue 1A too. I knew about the the NYPD/FDNY thing, but this wasn't just those guys (which I get) -- it was also what looked like a whole bunch of regular charity runners. Thing is, I really don't think they liked it much either when a huge pack of now stressed-out and annoyed runners targeting the 2:30-2:45 range ran swarmed by them on the packed bridge. This was my first NYC, and overall I really enjoyed the experience, but I thought that this start set-up was a pretty bad call for all involved. I'm not sure I'd do NYC again unless I could pull a slot in the sub-elite corral (wasn't quite good enough this time) or maybe the local competitive (if I were still local).

Please tell me you gave them a friendly "nudge" as you passed by.

I opted against physical contact. These guys were beasts. I did suggest that the pack of five run in a single file line rather than shoulder to shoulder. I may have used an f bomb. One of them responded with a sarcastic comment suggesting that I shouldn't complain because I didn't have a chance to win the race. I may have used another f bomb. I probably overreacted. Whatever.

The worst part of the whole HJ thing is that the 1:30 delay in crossing the start line kept me from running with my training partner who was in Orange 1a. We ended up running nearly the entire race about 5 blocks apart and didn't see each other until the last .2 miles.

Bric wrote:

sc runner wrote:

If I ever get into competitive running again the only big city marathon I will ever run is Boston, and even that I'll probably only enter once. NYC and Chicago don't interest me at all because of the large crowds and logistical nightmares those races have.

Really? I found Chicago to be super easy, and the pre-race area is way more spacious and closer to the corrals.

And a few steps from hotels vs long bus rides in NY/Boston

Grandmas, CIM or a local fast course

The usual ones don't accommodate hobbyjoggers so F 'em

Angryjohnny wrote:

mahmoud wrote:

Please tell me you gave them a friendly "nudge" as you passed by.

I opted against physical contact. These guys were beasts. I did suggest that the pack of five run in a single file line rather than shoulder to shoulder. I may have used an f bomb. One of them responded with a sarcastic comment suggesting that I shouldn't complain because I didn't have a chance to win the race. I may have used another f bomb. I probably overreacted. Whatever.

The worst part of the whole HJ thing is that the 1:30 delay in crossing the start line kept me from running with my training partner who was in Orange 1a. We ended up running nearly the entire race about 5 blocks apart and didn't see each other until the last .2 miles.

You could not catch up to your pace group , yet hope to be sub - elite corrall some year ?

You expend the energy to get into a cussfest with a group with runners that are built like linebackers two times ?

1: 30 lost to the start ?

I ran with chip timing .

Are you speaking about the 88 NYC marathon ?

Incongruent be thy name wrote:

[quote]Angryjohnny wrote:

You could not catch up to your pace group , yet hope to be sub - elite corrall some year ?

n ?

If he was a minute to 1:30 back of the group, it would be race suicide to try to catch them. You would have to run the first 6-9 miles at a pace 10 seconds faster than you should be running which will normally cause a blow up at the end.

Ah yes , so he ( you ) are no where near nor will ever be close to sub elite or locally competive .

Bump. Is this still a problem?

Not when I did it last year.

If8f8f8gvg wrote:

Bump. Is this still a problem?