The NYC Marathon is one of the largest in the world with more the 45,000 racers each year. The famous course starts on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Staten Island and winds through the five boroughs of New York City, finishing in Central Park.
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| {Photo from NYC Daily News} |
- More than 45,000 runners
- Over 2 million spectators (+315 million TV viewers)
- Over 6000 volunteers
- Guaranteed prize purse exceeds $800,000
- 130 bands and acts
- 368 portable toilets (that actually doesn't seem like nearly enough for 45,000 runners).
- 390 tubs of Vaseline
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| {Photo from NYC Daily News} |
First, Sam and I went to swim practice so we could get a workout in before reporting to duty at our aid station. After swimming we grabbed some coffee and breakfast and walked over to the mile 18 aid station at 96th Street and 1st Avenue. I've worked at a lot of smaller duathlons and triathlons but I've never volunteered at a marathon. I had no idea how crazy it was going to be. We spent the first few hours filling cups of Gatorade and water. Runners drink more than 100,000 gallons of water and Gatorade during the race.
After we finished filling cups there was a little down time while we waited for the wheelchair and hand cycle athletes and then and pros to come through. It is always amazing to see people running so fast. They make it look unbelievable easy.
Around 11:30 the rest of the runners started coming through. The next 3 hours were non-stop craziness! People are thirsty at mile 18! There was a PowerBar Energy Gel station just before our aid station so a lot of people wanted water. For awhile we had a hard time keeping the cups full but we never ran out. I would grab 7 cups off the table, 5 in my left hand and 2 in my right. Within 30 seconds I would hand out all 7 cups and be back for more. It was truly incredible.
Around 11:30 the rest of the runners started coming through. The next 3 hours were non-stop craziness! People are thirsty at mile 18! There was a PowerBar Energy Gel station just before our aid station so a lot of people wanted water. For awhile we had a hard time keeping the cups full but we never ran out. I would grab 7 cups off the table, 5 in my left hand and 2 in my right. Within 30 seconds I would hand out all 7 cups and be back for more. It was truly incredible.
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| {Photo from NYC Daily News} |
Whenever I would look up First Avenue I could just see a wall of people that looked like it would never end.
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| {Photo from NYC Daily News} |
I assumed that I would see all the famous people run by, especially the Chilean miner or Amani Toomer, but I didn't see a single one. I did not have time to think or look around. I just yelled water over and over again. Even though I didn't see any famous runners I did see some fun costumes.
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| {Photo from NYC Daily News} |
Volunteering at the NYC marathon was in an amazing experience. I would Hilly recommend it!
3 comments:
great job !! i watched it for about 10 years on UES while i lived there, have thought bout running it, but i have never thought of volunteering ??? you just inspired me.....
Thanks for volunteering
YOu had the same experience I did. Except for the elite runners, I saw no one that I recognized including the miner; too busy! I remember that banana guy though, and a girl dressed as a slice of pizza. Unfortunately, I also remember the elite woman who apparently had a case of runner's trots during the race, the evidence was all down the back of her legs. I think I saw a photo of her at the finish line where she collapsed, poor thing.
It was exhausting, but fun!
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