On the 1st of November, the bustling streets throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City will be filled with over 50,000 runners from all over the world. The 26.2 mile long course starts on Staten Island and passes through Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx before finishing in Manhattan. Millions of spectators will line the streets throughout the course with spirit and energy.
The New York City Marathon which first began on September 13, 1970 and took place in strictly Central Park had only 127 runners. In the years following 1970, the marathon spread its path to the five districts of New York that it is today. This year marks the five borough courses’ 50th anniversary. Runners claimed to have liked the improved route better passing through the different parts of New York City. Freshman Ainsley Timmons states, “Although I can’t imagine running an entire marathon, running through the 5 boroughs of New York seems like so much fun!”
The runners pass many significant landmarks in New York including various bridges throughout the race. First, they run over the 0.81 mile long Verrazzano bridge, then they cross the Pulaski Bridge on the 13th mile. The third bridge the runners run over is the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge bringing them from Queens to Manhattan. Lastly they pass the Willis Avenue and Madison Avenue Bridges.
The incredible location of the marathon brings a lively atmosphere of people from all over the world to cheer on the racers throughout the duration of their run. Throughout the morning and afternoon, you can expect to hear cowbells, hear loud music, see inspirational signs, street parties, and so on. Ayla McLeod, another freshman at Hingham High School reflects that, “the huge crowd must really inspire the runners to push through their long run. It’s crazy how many people watch the race.” The support of the crowd truly makes running or even watching the marathon an unforgettable experience.
After the runners finish their intense 26.2 mile race, they run through the blue and orange ribbon indicating the finish line. The area where the crowd is largest, loudest, and liveliest is Central Park in Manhattan, where the marathon ends. The crossing of the finish line marks a runner’s true dedication and accomplishment with their months of training finally paying off.
