Forums >Racing>2016 New York City Marathon Thread
Thanks. I think there is always confusion about this. FWIW, I am in the last corral of green so, if I'm reading this correctly, there's no where for me to move back to. Everyone in Wave 1 has a lower number than mine. But yes, I could encounter a marshal who wouldn't notice.
Thanks. I think there is always confusion about this.
FWIW, I am in the last corral of green so, if I'm reading this correctly, there's no where for me to move back to. Everyone in Wave 1 has a lower number than mine. But yes, I could encounter a marshal who wouldn't notice.
Yep, you are correct -- on both accounts.
Of course, if you wanted, you could start in Corral A for either Blue or Orange .... in Wave 2. Not ideal, but completely legit.
PRs: 5K 19:41 (5/2017) 10K 45:27 (1/2017) 10m 1:10:41 (4/2017) 13.1 1:36:00 (6/2017) 26.2 3:31:58 (10/2017)
Any tips/pointers/experiences from the veterans on what to expect in the staging area while waiting for the start? I assume they get you there pretty early and to expect a lengthy wait. Any shelter? Tips on what to bring?
Running the 2016 Boston Marathon for Children's Hospital
Is there anything in particular you're worried about?
Here are some general tips/what to expect:
That's all I've got for now. But, maybe others can think of some things I forgot or fill in more details.
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Julia's tips are great! I would only add these:
Julia's tips are great! I would only add these: There will be donation bins and piles in the corrals for your throw-away clothes, so you can keep them until the last minute. I've seen people leaving them behind at the start, too. I like to keep a mylar heat shield on until we actually start if it's cold. If you plan to see friends and family cheering for you on the course, make a very specific plan in advance, for example, northeast corner of 5th avenue and 116th street. You need to know what side of the street they will be on and exactly which block. Make sure you know what color jacket they will be wearing and look for that. If they are following you on the app, they should know about when you will be arriving. To meet up with friends and family after the race, also make sure you have a very specific plan. If it's cold and/or rainy, try to select a location where they can be indoors. It's hard to predict how long it will take you to exit the park after finishing. Also, check the maps to see where you will be exiting depending on whether you checked baggage or not -- it makes a huge difference. It's a good idea for anyone following you using the app to also bring a phone charger (unless, of course, you are a sub-2:30 marathoner). Last year, my husband was following me and his phone died a few minutes after I crossed the finish line, so I couldn't reach him when our bus back home was not where it was supposed to be. I was very disappointed to find that there are no port-a-potties at the finish; you can't get to one until you exit the park.
I never noticed that! It's amazing more people don't have accidents.
Julia and jerseyrunner, thanks for the great detailed replies. I guess my biggest concern was getting to the right corral on time. Some bigger races that I've been in have been so congested that just getting to your corral is half the battle. I'm taking the bus from the library since my hotel is near there, I'm not sure if that makes a difference vs. the ferry. I'm in the Blue Corral, but am considering changing to the Orange Corral thanks to the tip from SteamboatWillie. Thanks again, and good luck to everyone in a few weeks!
I guess my biggest concern was getting to the right corral on time. Some bigger races that I've been in have been so congested that just getting to your corral is half the battle.
The corral system for NYC is very different from other big races -- I can compare it to Philadelphia and Boston. You are admitted into a corral area well before your wave's start and then, about 20 minutes later, your corral actually gets in line to progress to the start. There is plenty of room in the corral waiting areas and there are porta-potties, so really, the best thing to do is to get in a porta-potty line once you get into the corral.
I don't know about the timing of the transportation from NYC (I take a bus from NJ), but I would assume that you would be okay. Once you get off the bus, there is a walk to the Village and you have to go through security checks, which can take a while if several buses have unloaded at the same time. But the entire Village area is quite large and you don't have to fight any crowds. More people seem to have issues with the amount of waiting time at the Village before the start than they do with concerns about being late for their corral.
Unfortunately, I've never taken the bus, so I can't help you there.
As far as pre-race congestion, I think the worst of it is getting on the Ferry. Runners are packed in the station like sardines. So, I think you'll miss the worst of it. I think the staging area and corrals are comparable to other big races. Others might disagree, but I would even say the NYCM athlete's village feels less packed than Boston and some other local big races I've done. Now, the first few miles of the race however... Madness!
The corral system for NYC is very different from other big races -- I can compare it to Philadelphia and Boston. You are admitted into a corral area well before your wave's start and then, about 20 minutes later, your corral actually gets in line to progress to the start. There is plenty of room in the corral waiting areas and there are porta-potties, so really, the best thing to do is to get in a porta-potty line once you get into the corral. I don't know about the timing of the transportation from NYC (I take a bus from NJ), but I would assume that you would be okay. Once you get off the bus, there is a walk to the Village and you have to go through security checks, which can take a while if several buses have unloaded at the same time. But the entire Village area is quite large and you don't have to fight any crowds. More people seem to have issues with the amount of waiting time at the Village before the start than they do with concerns about being late for their corral.
+1.
Boston=long time in in the athlete's village, long walk to your corral, almost no time in your corral. NYCM=no time in the athlete's village, long time in your corral, medium walk to the start where you'll wait some more.
Let the weather stalking begin!
The Weather Channel's 10 day for New York City shows rain.
guess my biggest concern was getting to the right corral on time. Some bigger races that I've been in have been so congested that just getting to your corral is half the battle. I'm taking the bus from the library since my hotel is near there, I'm not sure if that makes a difference vs. the ferry.
Very valid concerns, but if your experience matches mine from last year, you will be amazed at the organization and simplicity of the process.
i took the bus last year from the NY Public Library. Summary of my experience: A++. Very easy and very relaxing. The trip took about 45 minutes.
My hotel was 5 blocks away, so a very short walk. I arrived at the library at 6am, boarded a bus in about 1 minute, and we left 5 minutes later. The bus dropped us off near the toll booths and start line area, and the walk from the bus took about 5 minutes. Security checkpoint was another 5 minutes. Very organized.
The walk from the security checkpoint to the Orange village area was about 2 minutes. Around 7am, I grabbed a seat under a tree near Orange Corral C and waited until it opened at 8:45. When it finally opened, I waited about 2 minutes to enter -- and I found a spot near the corral separation rope to sit and wait. At 9:30am or so, the rope dropped, and we started to move forward, and slowly made our way to the bridge and starting lines.
50,000 runners! Incredibly well organized.
Good luck!
That sounds about as good as it gets. Thanks and good luck to you as well.
Let the weather stalking begin! The Weather Channel's 10 day for New York City shows rain.
I saw that! But now it shows mostly sunny with a high of 58. I hope the new forecast turns out to be the right one. Already obsessing over wardrobe choices!
Oh man. The current forecast is perfect! We should be so lucky.
not bad for mile 25
You should be. I'm excited for you all!