Marathon #33: New York City

I just finished my 33rd marathon, an always-incredible, home-town race in the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, but I almost didn't get in…

I try to do this race every single year, but this year it was looking like I might not be able to run. Due to my foot injury last year, I had to take some time off for recovery. During this time, I had to cancel smaller NYRR races that normally would have been part of the 9+1 program, which I do to gain entry every year. The program lets you earn a guaranteed spot in the next NYC Marathon if you run any 9 qualifying races (5k, 10k, and others) as well as volunteer at a race 1 time. I was not able to complete my 9+1 in 2023, so my spot was not guaranteed for this race.

I wasn't too worried however, because I had some pretty fast qualifying times and was hoping to get in through speed, but this year was so competitive that I was not able to gain entry that way. I had a qualifying time, but you needed to be about 18:30 faster than qualifying to make the cutoff! I was only faster by about a minute.

I resigned to not running this year and booked a trip to Richmond, Virginia to run the Richmond Marathon instead, 2 weeks later. At some point in the summer, my running club, the wonderful New York Harriers, announced that they had a few club bibs available for the NYC Marathon, and members could apply. I jumped at the chance, told my story, mentioned how I have run it every year it was available since 2015, and luckily, I was one of the members selected for a spot! Thank you Harriers!

I finished the race with a time I was proud of just 4 weeks after running the Portland Marathon. I was able to stay mostly consistent, event though I had the dreaded positive splits. That just means I went out a little too hard and ran out of steam as the miles added up.

I finished in the top 5% of marathoners, 406rd in my age group, with a 3:05:25 overall time.

• C Goal: Finish
• B Goal: sub 3:15:00
• A Goal: sub 3:10:00
• Stretch Goal: sub 3:05:00

Weather in NYC this time of year can be really cold, really hot, and anywhere in between. This year, it was a nice and comfortable 48°F to start, and rising to 53°F over the 3 hours. There were some really strong wind bursts for a stretch, but they luckily died down.

This race is so incredible in that it goes by so quickly. The spectators are unlike anywhere else, constantly pushing their energy into you, driving you forward mile after mile. By the time you know it, you are in a quiet part over the Queensboro Bridge where you can reflect about half way through the race, then you are back in the crowds in Manhattan with a thunderous roar, driving you forward to the finish.

As the local race, I saw a ton of Harriers out there on the course, was able to catch the cheering section, and help cheer some on too! At the finish line, it is always great to see other Harrier around, and I was able to celebrate with a few of them post race.

Next up is marathon number #34 in 2 weeks in Richmond, Virginia. Stay tuned!