Question for Marathon Runners

Message

peacock2121 · #1 Post by **peacock2121** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:07 am

Someone I know is running in the NYC Marathon Sunday. I am thinking of going down, as a surprise, to support her. Is this a good idea? If it were you, where would you want someone to be and would you want someone to do that? Would it be a support or a distraction?

Appa23 · #2 Post by **Appa23** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:22 am

I say maybe some point after halfway (like around 15-16 mile), and then take a taxi to the end, to encourage her during those last few hundred yards.

moonie · #3 Post by **moonie** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:02 pm

Pea

I have a patient running in it. He will be getting there early and is prepared to hang around for an hour or two before the race. (he tells me others try to sleep while they're waiting, if you can believe that!)

There will be nearly a million people along the route. I suppose you pick a place and wait for your friend to pass by. The finish line is chaotic, too, according to him.

Does this help? I guess not

silvercamaro · #4 Post by **silvercamaro** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:09 pm

Moonie is right. Unless you've pre-arranged a meeting place -- before the race or at the finish -- it may be very difficult to find your friend in the throngs of runners and their supporters.

I doubt that your friend would consider your presence a distraction. Once the race starts, her only thought will be to keep putting one foot in front of the other. She will appreciate knowing you want to offer your support. I suggest that you tell her you want to go and try to set up a meeting place at the end.

peacock2121 · #5 Post by **peacock2121** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:48 pm

Thanks everyone. Someone asked me to go and surprise her. I am thinking that is a bad idea.

I will venture to figure it all out.

gotribego26 · #6 Post by **gotribego26** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:04 am

Given the crowd of runners in NY you want to wait until the race is well underway if you are trying to surprise someone - the mob scenes through Brooklyn make it possible that if you pick the wrong side of the road they may totally miss you.

Wear comfortable walking shoes - go to First Avenue in low 60s - this is about the 16 mile mark - right after the runners cross the 59th st bridge. Stay on the West side of the street and make your presense known (I think you can do that

).

Hopefully they will acknowledge you and know you are there. You then have two options - go to columbus circle and toward the finish line. Or if you think you can move fast enough you can try to go into Central Park - the runners corss the 25 mile mark (they have about 1.2 miles left to go) on Central Park east - they then leave the park by the Plaza hotel and run west on 59th and enter the park again for the finish.

You have about 400 yards or so to get from the 25 mile marker to the finish - depending on their pace you may see them in both places.

I agree as a non-runner - without a pre-arranged meeting palce you will have a difficult time meeting them after the race on a surpirse basis.

I have not forgotten that you said you will come watch me when I run the NYC marathon.

MarkBarrett · #7 Post by **MarkBarrett** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:56 pm

My cousin lives in CT and will be running with his wife. He passed along this link to family and friends: http://www.mediazone.com/channel/nbcspo ... /index.jsp

peacock2121 · #8 Post by **peacock2121** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:49 am

gotribego26 wrote: I have not forgotten that you said you will come watch me when I run the NYC marathon.

Neither have I - I will not be surprising you - we will have a plan and I will be at as many places as my chubby little legs can get me to to support you!

I can not have the logistics work to see my friend tomorrow.

kayrharris · #9 Post by **kayrharris** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:57 am

The weather looked cold and windy. The runners may not mind, but the spectators might need to bundle up a bit. Hopefully there won't be any rain.

kayrharris · #10 Post by **kayrharris** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:02 pm

On a sad note, this news story:

http://www.startribune.com/503/story/1526665.html

Why does it happen to a seemingly very healthy, young athletic?
So tragic.