New York City Marathon
When: November 3rd 2007
Where: New York City, NY, USA
Course: All road across the NY 5 boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan, ending in Central Park
Start: Fort Wadsworth / Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Staten Island, NY 10305
Finish: Dalehead Arch, Central Park, New York, NY 10023
Distance: 42.2 km (26.2 miles)
Elevation change: + 164 / - 172m. net -12m
Finish time: 4:41
Links: New York City Marathon, New York City, Fort Wadsworth, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan, Central Park
The day started with a 04:00 alarm call and a 05:00 bus trip from the New York Public Library to the runners’ village at Fort Hamilton at the start line. There we had a very cold 4 hour wait before the starting gun at 10:10. We were released in groups of 1,000 based on our predicted finish time, so it took a while for to get through the start. There were 28,000 people ahead of me, so I got through about 20 mins later.
The first couple of miles were across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, between Staten Island and Brooklyn, with a long climb upwards for the first mile. That's normally not the best way to start a big run, but the excitement of the day and the views of New York Harbour towards downtown Manhattan made it a fun way to start.
Brooklyn (miles 2 to 13) was the most interesting and enjoyable part, with thousands of people cheering, bands playing and different communities to run through. The BHF running expert had warned us about getting too carried away with the excitement in the first 6 miles and to pace ourselves. This turned out to be great advice and the first half went by with no trouble at all.
I reached half way, between Brooklyn and Queens at 2 hours 10 mins, just after the winner had passed the finish line 13 miles away … Paula Radcliffe would finish 13 mins later.
After a short run through Queens, came the Queensboro Bridge, another long climb and descent, into Manhattan. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) cheering station was a great motivator as we started the long straight run up 1st Avenue towards the Bronx. I didn’t hit "The Wall" around mile 18, where a lot of people struggle, but it started to get slow as my legs just wouldn’t go as fast. I’d made sure that I’d got my eating and hydration right, which I think was the main reason The Wall didn’t come.
After 2 miles in The Bronx, we came back into Manhattan, down 5th Avenue towards the final 2 miles in Central Park. At this point I could see the Empire State Building, which was a lot further than the finish point and didn’t seem too far away.
Finally Mile 26 came, and the last 400 metres to the finish line. I could see the clock at the finish at 4. Hours 58, and managed to find a bit more energy to finish with a clock time of 4 hours 59 mins and a chip time of 4 hours 41 mins.
In all, it wasn’t as tough as I expected, although the last 6 miles hurt a lot. It’s a fantastic place to do a first marathon with the different boroughs, communities and excited crowds. I’ll definitely do others, and am already signed up for London next April. I’d like to do one in less than 4 hours … probably not in London, but maybe for my third !.
This has been my 4th year of raising money for the BHF. Initially I signed up with them to do the London To Brighton bike ride, not giving a lot of thought to the charity side. Having done several adventures with them, including 3 London To Paris bike rides I've become more aware and appreciative of the great work that they do in helping reduce Heart Disease. I've got quite addicted to the events as they are great ways to keep fit and top social events too.
Many thanks to all of you who sponsored me this year. Thanks to you, my total sponsorship for the BHF is £1,500. In total, the BHF expects to raise over £100,000 from the NYC Marathon.
