New York 6 November 2011
We all in life have a bucket list of things that we would like to do and I was very fortunate enough to mark one more thing of my list. The New York City Marathon, the one marathon that everyone talks about. The race where time means nothing but pictures, seeing all the sights and savouring the experience.
The morning started very early, with first an underground trip, then the ferry to Staten Island and then the bus ride to the start. Layered in clothes due to the weather in the early morning, but by the time we got to the start, we left most of the extra clothing there. Every year the organizers pick up nearly 30 tons of clothes that gets donated to various charities.
Started in the last wave at 10h40 by then everyone was ready to go. This wave was filled with other South Africans. The start over the Verrazano Bridge is the highest point in the race. Once you get to the other side in Brooklyn the people start lining the roads and you also see the other runners of wave 2.
Through the streets of Queens, Manhattan, Bronx and back to Manhattan the wave of spectators are endless along the route (about two million). The live bands and musicians next to the roads and the continuous cheering of people made the road to finish short.
You cross 5 bridges in the race and they were always the slow poison (up hills), the rest of the route is flat. Do not underestimate the course because you work all 42,2km. Not much time for taking a break.
The number of people on the road feels and looks like the last 5 minutes of Comrades, when everyone is trying to cross the line. You have this feeling of a crowd for 42,2km, it never stops.
We are so used to kilometer markers, now you have to run in miles. You have to recalculate your splits to miles; this makes the miles so far apart. Kilometers pass much quicker and the finish line seems closer.
What made it more special is to see the physically handicapped people that participate and complete the race. This race is open for anyone and there is no cut off, the last person crossed the line in 33 hours. So if you thought that you can never run a marathon, here is one that challenges you.
Entering Central Park, knowing that the end is in sight but also the worst 2,5miles of the route lay ahead. This is also when you want to take a moment and stop because you realize this is the end of a long term dream. I stopped and walked the last two miles taking in the crowd, people with SA flags next to road, the scenery and your own thoughts. What a feeling to be part of 47 000 people doing this as a life time experience. Something I will treasure for always.
Everyone that crosses a finish line of any race is always a champion because we all run for different reasons.
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