This year, the TCS NYC Marathon took 50,564 participants through the five boroughs of NYC and over the Verrazano-Narrows (the longest suspension bridge in the US), Queensboro, Pulaski, Willis Avenue, and Madison Avenue Bridges. Dan and I watched the beginning of the race from 4th Avenue and 6th/7th Street in Brooklyn, which was around mile marker 7.5. We saw several athletes from the wheelchair division, the elite women, elite men and then thousands of runners from the first and second waves (there were a total of four waves this year). Even though it was cold and the wind was brutal (the wind was so hard that mile markers were blown over), there were so many supportive, happy spectators out cheering on the marathoners. It was an awesome feeling to be part of the crowd.
I was so psyched to see the elite women running–especially American runner Kara Goucher (in the top photo she’s the tall athlete at the back of the pack wearing black shorts and a pink top). Kara has been fighting injuries over the past few years, and before the Philadelphia half marathon in September, she hadn’t run a race in 15 months. She’s such an inspiring athlete, and although she didn’t run the race she wanted to in NYC, she finished–which is a huge accomplishment in itself. If you’re interested, Kara wrote a recap of her race (read it here) and it’s a great reminder that hard work is never lost even if you stumble.
American runner, Meb Keflezighie, leading the men!
Have you run the TCS NYC Marathon or watched it in person? I’d love to hear what you thought about it!
Great photos! They all capture the challenge of this race, the dedication of the runners, and the incredible spirit of this event. I was a spectator last year, and it is an experience I will remember for a long time. I have tremendous respect for all those who are a part of this unique NYC challenge.