New York Marathon 2012

greenspurs

I have applied to get into the NYC Marathon this year, and as the Lottery draw for applicants isnt on until April, im hoping im lucky this year, as i didnt get selected last year.

So, Anyone got hints/Tips/Info/Ideas about the NY Mara?
Hotels, Travels, anything. Im just trying to gather as much Info as i can on my life goal (complete NY Mara).
So any help is appreciated.

Last year's thread

greenspurs

Anybody done New York?
any hints/tips.....

RayCun

I've added a link to last year's thread above - take a look at that.

belcarra

greenspurs wrote: »

Anybody done New York?
any hints/tips.....

Perhaps it may be better to ask a few specific questions...
Course is not quick due to congestion at the start (First few miles), bridges which are reasonably tough climbs (Nothing too tough but there are quite a few of them) and a long draw up 5th Avenue before you turn into the park. Great experience overall though!
If you want a bit more feedback then maybe checkout my report here.

Best of luck in the lottery!

average_runner

I be on to next year Belcarra about tips.:D

ThePiedPiper

I did NYC marathon in 2009 and it rates as one of my most enjoyable races. A few positive and negatives.

Positives
The start on the Verrazano bridge is spectacular, awe-inspiring and just about every other superlative I can think of.

The support the whole way around the course is fantastic. It never lets up and is sometimes 10 deep, especially in Manhatten.

The descent from the Queensboro bridge into Manhattan rates as one of my top 3 running moments ever. I've never experienced such a wall of sound, it must be how it feels to walk into a packed football stadium as a player, absolutely amazing.

The course takes in a lot of different neighbourhoods and is a great way to see the city.

The finish is fantastic in Central Park.

Negatives.
The cost of it is absolutely ridiculous. $275 or something wild.

The expo is in the middle of Hell's Kitchen and is like a zoo.

Getting to the start line is a nightmare of epic proportions. I was staying in Queens, so left the hotel about 5 hours before the race start for trains, ferries, buses and 2 hours of sitting on my ass in Staten Island. If I was doing it again, I'd seriously consider staying on Staten island somewhere and getting a taxi to the race start.

The course is tough. The ascent of the Queensboro bridge at 18 miles pretty much killed me. The last couple of miles in Central Park is also a bit up and down.

It's not very spectator friendly. My wife was trying to see me in Queens and then at the finish line, but loads of subway stations around Central Park are closed and it costs a bomb to get a ticket for the grandstand near at the finish line. If you've somebody travelling with you, advise them to get a sleep in and do some shopping.

It's a race I'm delighed to have done, but will most likely never do again. The memory of 45,000 runners literally bouncing an enormous bridge over New York harbour with Sinatra's New York New York blaring over the speakers will never leave me.

greenspurs

just wanted to know what hotels have people stayed in. Were they near the start of the course or near the finish ?
Just general info/ dos and donts....

The prev post by Run forestrun is the reason why i wanna run the NYC Mara... You describe it so well.... I wanna run

ThePiedPiper

Greenspurs,
My hunch is that it could be pretty difficult to find accomodation near the start line. It would be ideal of course but from the bus journey at the ferry terminal down to the Verrazano bridge, there seemed to be very few, if any, hotels or motels. This part of Staten island seems to be just suburban houses, little towns. But if you could find something there, it would be ideal.

Even if you were to get accomodation in the Village or Lower Manhattan, you'd still be facing a 30 minute ferry journey IIRC and about 30 minutes on a bus to the bridge. And the last ferry leaves Manhattan around 3 hours before the start I think. So, it really is a logistical nightmare with possibly the ideal solution being to ge within a 20 minute taxi journey to the start.

Whatever you do, don't stay in Queens. You'll spend an hour just getting to the ferry terminal from out there!!!

run_Forrest_run

@RunForestRun, hey, what's the story! For a second I thought I had run the NYC marathon and somehow forgotten it:D

greenspurs

Runforest X 2 !!

Thanks for the info...
Hopefully this might become the "official" thread for the Mara this year.!!

I enjoyed reading the thread from last year and learned a lot from it , so hopefully whoever gains entry can post here >

Thanks again lads.

potsy11

Hey, just checking in. I am 95% sure that I will be on the start line. Doing it through a charity.

This will be my second NY Marathon. Its an amazing experience.

greenspurs

Good man Potsy ....

Counting day to Lottery day !! hate the wait .....

Brianderunner

My half time (1'22) from Waterford in December was accepted for a guaranteed entry there a couple of weeks ago so i'm in.

Not going for a time or anything though, i'll be doing that in London in 8 weeks. NY will be just for the experience.

greenspurs

congrats Brian....
hopefully i will be joining yee !!!

corkrunner71

Ran it in 2010 and would have to say that it was definitely one of the most memorable races I have ever done. The early start was a little daunting beforehand but the weather was dry/cool and it passed off generally quickly. We made a holiday out of it due to the cost of getting there so we stayed in mid Manhattan to make the touristy sites a little more accessible by walking. Having said that, the underground is excellent over there. Sheer volume of spectators was incredible during the race especially in Brooklyn. We went to the expo on the Saturday and it was mayhem in there with the crowds. The course is tough with a lot of ups and downs. Nothing major but they do take their toll on your legs. If I ever got the chance to go again in the future then I would love to but due to the cost of it, I'm not holding out much hope.

SDARBS

I wouldnt want to dissappoint the OP but the chances of an international runner getting in through the ballot are less than 1 in 10.

I run it in 2010 and like corkrunner says made a holiday out of it.

Would really love to do it again but with the lottery, being sloow and costs of flights & hotel, I'm afraid it will probably be a once in a life time thing for me too.

If you've never been to NYC I'd suggest staying in midtown and do the whole tourist experience from there.

Good luck in the ballot.

Dundalk

Big day tomorrow, fingers crossed

EauRouge79

Ran NYC in 2010. Got in 1st time via the ballot. Loved the first 15 miles until the queensboro bridge......was flying, died an immediate coming off the bridge and struggled the last 11 miles(yes every one of them). Went off to fast and hit the wall very early.

Its a tough, windy course. PB'S unlikley. So sit back enjoy the NYC ride, take it all in and take your time! This may always be my biggest regret.

I have great memories of race morning, finding my way to the boats to staten island in the dark and meeting a really nice american girl. We sat in the start area drinking coffee and eating bagels. New she was a handy runner and without seeing each other once on the course, we finished within 3 seconds of each other.

Happy days.

sideswipe

EauRouge79 wrote: »

Ran NYC in 2010. Got in 1st time via the ballot. Loved the first 15 miles until the queensboro bridge......was flying, died an immediate coming off the bridge and struggled the last 11 miles(yes every one of them). Went off to fast and hit the wall very early.

Its a tough, windy course. PB'S unlikley. So sit back enjoy the NYC ride, take it all in and take your time! This may always be my biggest regret.

I have great memories of race morning, finding my way to the boats to staten island in the dark and meeting a really nice american girl. We sat in the start area drinking coffee and eating bagels. New she was a handy runner and without seeing each other once on the course, we finished within 3 seconds of each other.

Happy days.

That sounds like a good idea for a Movie, you should work on the script;)
May I suggest the title- PS I Chicked you:D

Seriously though, I know what you mean about doing this one for the experience and spectacle, Had a similar experience of struggling over the last third of the course which I feel detracted from the experience for me too.
I'm in the lottery again today so fingers crossed.

Dundalk

I didn't get accepted for the third time this year.

Am I guaranteed entry next year?

Also if there is not enough funds in my account when the money is taken does this mean non acceptance?

average_runner

Didnt get in on my third attempt. But would of deferred it anyhow.
So heading to New York Marathon in 2013

Can we start a thread now

sideswipe

Dundalk wrote: »

I didn't get accepted for the third time this year.

Am I guaranteed entry next year?

From the website-

Qualifying by being denied entry three consecutive times. In the past, applicants to the marathon have been eligible for guaranteed entry if they have been denied entry three years in a row. This policy will be gradually eliminated. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2009-2011 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2010-2012 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2011-2013 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2014. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2012-14 will not be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2015.
Example: John applies for non-guaranteed entry in 2011 and is denied. If John was also denied entry in 2009 and 2010, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. If this is only John's second consecutive denial, and he is also denied entry in 2012, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013. If he is denied entry in 2011, 2012, and 2013, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2014. If he is denied entry in 2012, 2013, and 2014, he is not eligible for guaranteed entry in 2015.
Also if there is not enough funds in my account when the money is taken does this mean non acceptance?

Third time refusal for me as well though did it through Sportstravel International last year (highly recommended).

Jmcmen

Where Did you get the lottery results? I cant find them and haven't received an email either

sideswipe

Jmcmen wrote: »

Where Did you get the lottery results? I cant find them and haven't received an email either

You should have login in details from when you applied, you can log in to check status on the NYRR site-

http://www.nyrr.org/

Jmcmen

sideswipe wrote: »

You should have login in details from when you applied, you can log in to check status on the NYRR site-

http://www.nyrr.org/

Cheers, I take it "Marathon registration status: Not accepted" means no deal :mad:

Larry Brent

Does anyone know if you entered for guaranteed entry based on time, but it now says 'not accepted' is that just a temporary thing till they verify your time (can take 3 weeks it said on the application) or does it just mean 'not accepted'?

Highway_To_Hell

looks like it will be 2013 for me as well.

pgmcpq

Larry Brent wrote: »

Does anyone know if you entered for guaranteed entry based on time, but it now says 'not accepted' is that just a temporary thing till they verify your time (can take 3 weeks it said on the application) or does it just mean 'not accepted'?

When did you enter ? If more than a few weeks ago you should email them asap. When I entered like this it showed me as in the lottery initially but IIRC changed before the lottery was drawn. If you just entered in the last week or so they may still be verifying - but it is worth an email. Check your cc to see if the entry fee was taken.

Marthastew

Larry Brent wrote: »

Does anyone know if you entered for guaranteed entry based on time, but it now says 'not accepted' is that just a temporary thing till they verify your time (can take 3 weeks it said on the application) or does it just mean 'not accepted'?

Email them to check what your status is but I'm afraid it doesn't sound like good news for you, they verified all the results way back in February/March. What race are you using? I got in on my DCM time but I know 2 people who got in on their Waterford Half and they have already been charged on their credit card

Larry Brent

Marthastew wrote: »

Email them to check what your status is but I'm afraid it doesn't sound like good news for you, they verified all the results way back in February/March. What race are you using? I got in on my DCM time but I know 2 people who got in on their Waterford Half and they have already been charged on their credit card

Thanks I only applied on Friday. As you mentioned results were verified in feb/march, was there an earlier date for applying for guaranteed entry than the April 23rd general closing date? If so I missed it and wasted 8euro! The race i used would be accepted. Thanks again.

TFBubendorfer

Can anyone point me to a list of races that are accepted for your qualifying time?

Larry Brent

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Can anyone point me to a list of races that are accepted for your qualifying time?

On the application form it simply says a time 'that is certifiable online'. If they are accepting Waterford HM I'd say it may be simply that - they just check the result online. Perhaps they also check that it's certified by the governing body but don't know for sure.

Marthastew

Larry Brent wrote: »

Thanks I only applied on Friday. As you mentioned results were verified in feb/march, was there an earlier date for applying for guaranteed entry than the April 23rd general closing date? If so I missed it and wasted 8euro! The race i used would be accepted. Thanks again.

If they accepted your application then hopefully you'll be fine, I don't know if there was a seperate closing date.
I sent them a frantic email after I applied with the link to my results etc, they did reply and said it would take three weeks.
Fingers crossed:)

Larry Brent

Got the PFO e-mail. So e-mailed them, go this reply:

This is an auto reply. We'll reply to your email as soon as possible.

You can check your profile on-line at https://registration.ingnycmarathon.org/Login.aspx with your username and password. Emails should be going out all day April 26th.
But for those who put a fast qualifying time on your marathon application for guaranteed entry, it will take us about two week to verify your time and update your status from non-guarantee entry to ACCEPTED (even if verify your fast time AFTER the drawing date).

SDARBS

Must be my lucky week, found a confirmation email in my junk mail folder... I'm in. Hadn't really expected to get, would love to do it but might have to defer...

Brianderunner

SDARBS wrote: »

Must be my lucky week, found a confirmation email in my junk mail folder... I'm in. Hadn't really expected to get, would love to do it but might have to defer...

Well done. I'm considering deferring too but having to pay the entry fee (340 dollars) again in 2013 to do so is putting me off. Not sure if i'm ready for another marathon training cycle.

average_runner

Such an expensive race, deferring must hurt. I was praying i wouldnt get it this year on my third attempt, thank god i didnt. Be running it for sure now next year:D

potsy11

Anyone else out there got an entry or doing it through a charity....Looks like numbers are way down from previous years!

I'm in either way.

Marthastew

I'm running it with another friend, we got in through GFA time.
Reminds me I need to book hotel, flights etc soon

kat2171

Any advice from anyone that has done the marathon before on transport options. I am staying on west 57th street
Will prob get ferry out. Just wondering how early.. I seem to have a choice from 5.30 to 7.30..
Also have option of 5.30 bus from midtown (42nd street)...
Any advice?

pgmcpq

kat2171 wrote: »

Any advice from anyone that has done the marathon before on transport options. I am staying on west 57th street
Will prob get ferry out. Just wondering how early.. I seem to have a choice from 5.30 to 7.30..
Also have option of 5.30 bus from midtown (42nd street)...
Any advice?

Suggest the ferry. From your location you have a straight subwY ride down to the ferry. Terminal and boat have bathrooms so it is a nicer ride. Prepare to hang about on Staten island for a few hours. 630 is a safe time allowing plenty of time for a relaxed trip. Good luck.

Marthastew

I've booked the hotel and am just about to research flights.... Anyone on here booked filghts already? Aer lingus, Delta and United/Continental fly non-stop I think?

pgmcpq

My guess is everyone got the email but in case:

Bottom line is you can no longer check a bag for the NY marathon. Anything you bring to the start will be left behind or you have to carry with you. Not really too happy about this. I like my own food/dry clothes post race.

The New Race-Day Experience

•You can bring clothing and food with you to the start area in a clear plastic bag that you'll receive at the expo. The difference this year is that you will not be able to check this bag for transport to the finish.
•Thanks to a major new initiative with Goodwill Industries and UPS, you will be able to leave warm-up clothing at Fort Wadsworth to be donated to provide a positive benefit to the community.
•You can communicate with friends and family, free of charge, at new NYRR "Call Home" stations at the start and the finish.
•Shortly after you cross the finish line, you'll receive a United Airlines and Foot Locker Heatsheet and Recovery Bag presented by Hospital for Special Surgery. Then upon exiting the park, you'll receive a water-repellent, hooded, and fleece-lined Marathon Finish Line Poncho.
•Shortly after you exit the park, you'll be able to reunite with your loved ones in our new and improved Family Reunion area.

jahaco

How can any of this be an improvement? I'm sure the poncho will be a great souvenir but it looks to me like the organisers are just being cheap!

pgmcpq

jahaco wrote: »

How can any of this be an improvement? I'm sure the poncho will be a great souvenir but it looks to me like the organisers are just being cheap!

In fairness, the issue of baggage collection has been a problem for years. There are simply too many people and not enough space after the finish so it could take 30 minutes to get a bag. Meanwhile they need to clear the park asap to make room for more finishers coming. It is not really that cheap solution. The are responding to complaints - even if I don't agree with the response.

jahaco

Personally never found bag collection a problem (certainly no worse than London or Paris), but I suppose I can see that it might be an issue after a while particularly towards the back of the field.

potsy11

i ran 3.30 in 2008 and it was not a problem. I do remember the long walk but must say that the walk probably did me good.

Disappointing considering that I wont have support crew- so, long journey back to hotel in poncho and foil coat.

pgmcpq

The Upper West Side store Jack Rabbit is offering to hold bags for the first 1,000 to register. Drop your stuff in a bag they supply in the days before the race and they will hold it for you. Great offer (and free).

http://www.formstack.com/forms/jrab-bagwatch

Does not help you out pre race but post race this is great.

Marthastew

pgmcpq wrote: »

The Upper West Side store Jack Rabbit is offering to hold bags for the first 1,000 to register. Drop your stuff in a bag they supply in the days before the race and they will hold it for you. Great offer (and free).

http://www.formstack.com/forms/jrab-bagwatch

Does not help you out pre race but post race this is great.

What a great idea!
It won't accept my mobile number, any suggestions? I suppose I could just put my hotel number?

pgmcpq

Marthastew wrote: »

What a great idea!
It won't accept my mobile number, any suggestions? I suppose I could just put my hotel number?

Hum.... yes it probably wants a US number. Try the hotel number. If anyone is struck PM me and I'll give you a US number to use (obvious 1,000 guys with my number might be a problem !!)

.

pgmcpq

And now the NYRR have decided the bag check is back .....

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/07/sports/in-reversal-new-york-city-marathon-will-transport-bags.html

The catch might be smaller bags ....