It’s that time of year again, when those mega-motivated marathoners lace up their sneakers and prepare to hit 26.2 miles of New York pavement, leaving the rest of us underperforming to feel relatively inadequate as we prepare to reflect on our own. own lazy sunday. Well, there’s no reason we can’t at least be professional viewers! Held on the first Sunday in November, the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon, now in its 44th year, will take place on November 2. Attending the world’s largest marathon is a guarantee of goosebumps, with the adrenaline and enthusiasm of dedicated runners palpable in the air.
Here’s the information on where to go in Manhattan to cheer on the 50,000 runners participating in this year’s marathon:
Where can I watch the race in Manhattan?
Manhattan makes two appearances on the five-county city circuit of the race (which begins in Staten Island), with runners entering the island first at Mile 16, before reaching the Bronx, and returning for the final leg of five miles at Mile 21. Here’s the breakdown on where to watch runners in Manhattan (you can also download the official course map here):
- Miles 16-18: Runners pass the Queensboro Bridge for its dramatic entry point to Manhattan at 59th Street. Spectators are not allowed on the bridge, but can line up on a lively stretch of First Avenue, along with many other spectators. and live bands.
- Miles 18-20: Marathoners continue their way through East Harlem along First Avenue, en route to the Willis Avenue Bridge towards the Bronx.
- Miles 21–23: After a quick dip in the Bronx, runners return over the Madison Bridge toward Harlem on Fifth Avenue.
- Mile 23: Runners can reflect on the fantastic collections of the many museums that pass along this stretch of Fifth Avenue’s “Fifth Mile”: the Guggenheim, the Museum of the City of New York and more. Spectators, meanwhile, can combine their marathon cheering with a bit of an art marathon on the side.
- Miles 24-25: The southeast corner of Central Park welcomes runners with spectacular fall foliage.
- Miles 25–26: Energy and excitement are building along Central Park South and Columbus Circle as runners prepare to reenter the park to cross the finish line.
- Mile 26.2: The final stretch of the race becomes a triumphant personal glory for the runners at the finish line: West Drive from Central Park at 67th Street. Please note that you will not be able to approach the end of the race unless you have purchased bleacher seats ($ 75; online sales now closed; shop in person at the TCS New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo at the Javits Center).
What should I bring / wear / do?
- Bundle Up – Temperatures are forecast to only hit a high of 50 degrees on Sunday, so be sure to wear plenty of layers to withstand cooler temperatures outside.
- Encourage Them By Name – Runners wear those jerseys proudly with their names and nationalities for a reason – the personalized encouragement and name goes a long way in giving them that little bit more punch.
- Visit a Animation Zone – For high-energy viewing, visit designated “animation zones,” where race partners like Airbnb keep crowds and runners away with noise, live music, video screens, giveaways, and more .
- Live Bands: Music makes everything more fun and festive, so look for about 130 live bands (that’s about five acts per mile!) Spread out along the marathon route.
How can I cheer on someone specific?
- Plan ahead – it will be like finding a needle in running shoes, in a very large haystack, if you are looking for your marathon runner friend or family member on the go. Let them know, in advance, specifically where you will be located to cheer them on (for example, “Northeast corner of 76th Street and First Avenue”), so they can keep an eye on you. And be sure to ask them their expected arrival time at that time, so you can sharpen your eagle eyes during that time frame.
- Make a Sign – Not only will you cheer up the spirit of your favorite racer, but your sign makes it more likely to catch their eye on the trail.
- Take a look at the Runner App: The New York City Marathon TCS Mobile App 2014 (powered by Tata Consultancy Services) allows users to easily track runners progressing along the route, however please note that it does not will be able to determine its precise location.
Move
- Use public transportation – many streets are closed to traffic on marathon day, so it’s best to stay on the metro. Also, keep in mind that crossing the streets along the marathon circuit will be next to impossible, so plan your subway exit points and the general route wisely.
For complete details on the New York City Marathon, visit tcsnycmarathon.org.
