NYC Marathon

Is this just a gratuitous post so I can show off my pictures of the NYC Marathon, you ask?

Yes. Yes, it is.

But it will also be interspersed with facts about the history of the race and the current course. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m sort of an ‘interesting-facts-about-various-places-and-activities’ nerd. Luckily, the NYC Marathon is the perfect event to celebrate that affliction. So without further ado:

NYC Marathon Interesting Facts and Pictures

Staten Island

The race starts in Staten Island on the Verrazano Bridge. This bridge provides transit between Staten Island and Brooklyn. It is named in honor of Giovanni de Verrazzano, the Italian credited as the first European to explore New York Bay.

Brooklyn

Runners cover the most distance in Brooklyn. More than 11 miles of the race course wind through neighborhoods from Bay Ridge to Williamsburg. Since the run through Brooklyn in mostly flat, it’s the fastest borough for most runners in the marathon. (Not me! I was saving all my energy for the 59th Street Bridge and the long, slow climbs around Manhattan, which is somehow uphill going both directions.)

North of the Greenpoint neighborhood, the course crosses the Pulaski Bridge into Queens. The Pulaski Bridge is named for the Polish-American nobleman Casimir Pulaski. This Revolutionary War hero saved George Washington’s life in battle. The DOT created a special, deep-red hue for the bridge and called it ‘Pulaski Red’. Also, in more marathon-relevant information, crossing the bridge serves as the halfway point in the race.

Queens and the 59th Street Bridge

After a short stint (about two miles-check out a detailed map here) in Queens, the course crosses the 59th Street Bridge into Manhattan. This section of the course is notorious for being steep, dark and difficult. But you can distract yourself with two things.

1. The great views (see photo)

2. My favorite fact about this area: Simon and Garfunkel named one of their most famous songs after the bridge. You will certainly recognize the song if you click here.

Manhattan One

Runners exit the 59th Street Bridge into Manhattan and run 3.5 miles up First Avenue through the Upper East Side and Harlem. This is miles 16-19.5, incase you haven’t been keeping track. This is a great place to have people come cheer you on! The further uptown you get, the less crowded it will be.

The race crosses into the Bronx over the Willis Avenue Bridge. Usually, people love to cross the Willis Avenue Bridge as it provides a way to dodge the Triborough Bridge toll. On marathon day people love to cross the bridge because it means you are entering the fifth borough of NYC. Interestingly, the Bronx was the last borough incorporated into NYC and remains the only borough with an article (‘the’) incorporated into its name. You can read all about it here.

The Bronx and Manhattan Two

The course loops through the Bronx in a little more than a mile then dips back down into Manhattan. The race moves into Central Park at Mile 24. I was glad I didn’t start going too fast here. Instead, I took time to enjoy the crowds (it’s estimated 2.5 million people come out to cheer for the 50K runners) and the views of Central Park in the fall.

Finish line picture below.

Did I run all the way to the finish line with an extra granola bar in my hydration belt, you ask? Yes, yes I did. There are no trash cans along the route and I felt bad throwing it away on the street.

Thank you to Frances Gunn for the banner photo! Make sure to keep an eye out for the Statue of Liberty as you cross the East River to Staten Island for the start of the race.

If you want some more of my marathon thoughts, you can check out my interview with Molly Hurford on ‘The Consummate Athlete’ podcast here.