Anyone run it? Have thoughts on course etc.? All I really saw recently was this thread on the surprise winner last year:
http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=8792387
Seeking a Boston Qualifier for a spring marathon and was coming up empty ~ in NYC. This looks like a solid bet, though, as I'm reading it seems like it's flat/fast, not overly crowded albeit with some sharp turns. Wondering if anyone on here has any particular thoughts/advice.
Easy course. Completely flat. The turns aren't so bad. Minimal crowd support. The course runs through non descriptor suburban neighborhoods and then runs down the beach and back up the beach, partly along the boardwalk. The only issue is that you might get a little headwind on the way back up. I did it the last two years (trained moderately with a hal higdon program). BQ'd in 2017 but missed the cutoff by 25 seconds. BQ'd last year and it got me in for Boston 2019. That said, I crushed that time in NYC this year using Hanson. But I would do NJ again as a fast race, maybe if I ever try to go sub 3. Its only an hour from the city, parking is easy. A bit of a pain getting your bib the day before. You need to drive down or pay an extra 25 for day of pickup. (The expo is tiny- really just meet the pacers/pick up your bib). But its well run and close to the city, and not too expensive). Good luck
Appreciate this info. I'll have to figure the best way to do bib pickup/get to course (live in NYC without a car). That being said can cross that bridge later on.
ilovetoscore wrote:
Easy course. Completely flat. The turns aren't so bad. Minimal crowd support. The course runs through non descriptor suburban neighborhoods and then runs down the beach and back up the beach, partly along the boardwalk. The only issue is that you might get a little headwind on the way back up. I did it the last two years (trained moderately with a hal higdon program). BQ'd in 2017 but missed the cutoff by 25 seconds. BQ'd last year and it got me in for Boston 2019. That said, I crushed that time in NYC this year using Hanson. But I would do NJ again as a fast race, maybe if I ever try to go sub 3. Its only an hour from the city, parking is easy. A bit of a pain getting your bib the day before. You need to drive down or pay an extra 25 for day of pickup. (The expo is tiny- really just meet the pacers/pick up your bib). But its well run and close to the city, and not too expensive). Good luck
I echo ilovetoscore's response. It's a relatively flat course, and the turns on the course are very manageable. There are two long stretches of open road also which allow you to get in a good rhythm. Weather can be hit or miss that time of year but last year the temps were perfect, even a light misty rain at times, although the final 10k was into a gusting headwind. The starting line logistics are great because it starts at the Monmouth Race Track and you can hang out indoors with access to bathrooms. Plenty of room to warm-up, do strides, etc.
The crowd support along the course is minimal (a few choice spots), so if you are looking for that, you need to pick a different course. But if you are looking for a shot at good weather and a good time, it's one of the better courses in that part of the U.S. at that time of year. FWIW, I ran my PR there last year (2:47) and had some other runners to keep me company for most of the race.
Thank you sounds good. Will probably be looking to conservatively attack the sub-3 area (go out in 1:29-1:32), and snag a Boston Q. Looks like from results there will be runners in this area (if not a pack like you'd get in a NYRR event). I think I'm going to sign up before the price hikes up right after New Year's.
The Stone Cutter wrote:
I echo ilovetoscore's response. It's a relatively flat course, and the turns on the course are very manageable. There are two long stretches of open road also which allow you to get in a good rhythm. Weather can be hit or miss that time of year but last year the temps were perfect, even a light misty rain at times, although the final 10k was into a gusting headwind. The starting line logistics are great because it starts at the Monmouth Race Track and you can hang out indoors with access to bathrooms. Plenty of room to warm-up, do strides, etc.
The crowd support along the course is minimal (a few choice spots), so if you are looking for that, you need to pick a different course. But if you are looking for a shot at good weather and a good time, it's one of the better courses in that part of the U.S. at that time of year. FWIW, I ran my PR there last year (2:47) and had some other runners to keep me company for most of the race.