Not every marathon course is equal. Running downhill presents a different challenge than running uphill, but any change in elevation makes a course more difficult. We asked teammates a couple questions about their past experience in the NYC marathon and what they thought about the course.
What is your favorite borough and why?
Thom Little: Brooklyn, by far.
Russell Pfeffer: Manhattan of course. Come out of the 59th Street bridge you really get a sense that there are thousands of people watching you and yelling.
Andrea Costella: I haven’t run NYC before, but I have to imagine that running through Manhattan, especially through the park towards the end, will be pretty exciting.
Katie Casto: My favorite borough is Brooklyn. 4th Ave provides a flat straight stretch where you can find your pace and get in a groove. Also, I have a slight bias now that I live in Park Slope.
Brad Weiss: Favorite borough is Manhattan.
What is your favorite part of the course?
Thom: The crowds on Lafayette st in Brooklyn are amazing. It is rather cavernous and they are so loud, the energy goes right to your legs.
Katie: The best stretch on the course would have to be 1st Ave. Coming off of the Queensboro Bridge, and hearing the noise of the crowds is unlike anything else you will ever experience. You certainly get an adrenaline rush, and have to make sure not to pick up the pace too much.
Russell: The last .2 separates the “men from the boys” You have to decide if you are going to gut it out or kick in. A lot of best times slip away right in front of your eyes by Tavern on the Green
Do you like the course?
Russell: I think the course is very challenging, however if you run the race right and set it up to be stronger in the later part you can have a lot of success
Brad: Really like the course. Very challenging with a few dozen turns and 5 bridges. Least favorite part of the course is on 5th Ave bet 110 and the low 90’s before you enter the park. The course is not designed for world record performances and can really suck you on 1st Ave if you’re not careful as it did Meb in his 1st NYC Marathon.
Andrea: I’ve never run New York before – or any marathon for that matter – so ask me again after the race and I’ll definitely let you know my opinion. 🙂
Katie: It is a tough course, but I have personally only run tough courses thus far. Boston and San Francisco also both have hilly terrain.
How would you change it?
Russell: I would start it earlier. I don’t see the benefit in starting the race at 10 AM (although it is 9:40 for some this year).
Thom: An escalator up the Queensboro bridge
Andrea: Make it shorter. 🙂
Katie: I don’t think I would change the course at all. It gives you a sense of all the city, and the boroughs that make NYC special.
How does it compare to other courses you have run?
Russell: I think it is the most challenging I have run. Although I am only comparing it to Chicago and Boston. I hear Big Sur is hard and you run a lot on your own.
Thom: It is more challenging than some others, but it is my home turf and that counts for something.
Kate: It is a tough course, but I have personally only run tough courses thus far. Boston and San Francisco also both have hilly terrain.
Do you like the music along the course?
Thom: mostly
Andrea: I think I will, yes!
Katie: I do enjoy the music along the course. It especially helps in areas where there are less people. But, overall the crowds are the best motivators!
Brad: The music is pretty good and definitely memorable on Bedford Ave in Brooklyn. You can hardly hear yourself think. There’s something so indescribable about running the NYC Marathon. It’s kind of like getting a standing ovation on Broadway for 26.2 miles. An absolutely amazing experience..
Russell: I did not even know there was music….
And from Peter Allen…
Peter Allen: I look forward to running on the balls of my feet up First Ave after running 15 miles but know the elation will turn 180 degrees into somnolence at mile 20 in the Bronx. Sometimes I picture my old coach George Wisniewski at the 20th mile marker where he always yelled interesting advice to me.
We would like to thank all the teammate who answered our questions and wish all CPTC members running on sunday the best of luck!