A perfect day for a marathon

Last Sunday was the 54^th running of the New York City Marathon and it was one for the record books.

The weather was perfect – 50’s to 60’s, bright sun, no wind.

No wonder the women’s champ set a new course record, and the top three finishers also bested the previous record.  The top finishing American woman – Fiona O’Keeffe (on the right) came in fourth and broke the American course record.

Here they are showing off at mile 17.   

 

And the men had a photo finish!  But at mile 17 they still had lots of company.

This is the party that I most wished I had been invited to.

While the fancy new fences were appreciated, for spectators on the UES, the biggest news was a crossing station at 72^nd & First Avenue.

Previously if you wanted to cross First Avenue you needed to go all the way down to 59^th street below the bridge.

Of course, during the heaviest time – 11:00 am to 2 pm, even the crossing minions were challenged. 

It was so amusing watching them do their little dance, that I may go to 72^nd Street for a front row seat next year. 😉

Finally, this year’s meet and greets did not disappoint.  This couple even took time out to pose for a kissing shot. 

Here are some pics from previous marathons.

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2023/11/nyc-marathon-2023.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/11/nyc-marathon-2019.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/11/2018-nyc-marathon.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2017/11/congratulations-shalane-flanagan.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/11/new-york-city-marathon.html

 

Till next year…

PJ

 

© 2025 PJ Lehrer

NYC Marathon 2023

 

With temperatures in the mid-60’s this year’s NYC Marathon was the party that the city was yearning for.

Since I have a terrific view from my apartment and I am located on the east side of the route, I usually just observe the action from my apartment – going downstairs at strategic points in time to mix it up a bit.

But after 33 years it does get a bit repetitive, so I thought I’d try something different this year, and decided to head down to 59^th Street.

As anyone who runs or follows the marathon knows, when the runners leave the quiet of the 59^th Street bridge and turn onto First Avenue they are hit with a wall of noise.  So I thought it would be fun to check it out.

I had a bit of trouble figuring out where would be the best place to stand.  Clearly this guy on top of the truck had it all figured out.

I did catch the women leaders as they hit the turn.

But the best part was getting a closer view of the spectator action on the street.

This drumline from Queens – Fogo Azul – was particularly impressive.  Although I did find myself thinking that if they continued to do their thing for several hours everyone in the vicinity would end up with a huge headache.

The first time I passed the water station, before the runners had reached Manhattan, I heard the team leader giving everyone a pep talk.

I wonder if the clean-up folks got one too, since they certainly had their work cut out for them.

Party on NYC!

Here are some previous NYC Marathon blogs…

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2019/11/nyc-marathon-2019.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2018/11/2018-nyc-marathon.html

https://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2017/11/congratulations-shalane-flanagan.html

http://pj-studio.blogspot.com/2013/11/new-york-city-marathon.html

Cheers!

PJ

 

© 2023 PJ Lehrer

New York City Marathon

Today is marathon day – also known as New York City’s finest hour. 

In honor of the occasion the entire city becomes one big street party and good will reigns supreme as everyone joins in to encourage the runners. 

Last year the event was cancelled due to Superstorm Sandy.  And this year they took all the garbage cans away on Wednesday night.  But at least the party is on.

We live on mile 17 where the crowds of spectators are so boisterous that First Avenue becomes a canyon of noise. 

Most of the crowd is actually there to cheer on their friends and relatives. 

They usually arrive in time to see the leaders run past and then cheer everyone else on as they wait. 

When the person they are waiting for arrives, it’s a hallmark moment. 

They exchange hugs, take a few photos and before too long the runner heads off again.  It is truly charming. 

But one year stands out as the most memorable because a couple, who had met at the marathon the year before, actually got married across the street. 

 Then they ran off to complete their run.   

Only in New York!

PJ

© 2013 PJ Lehrer