Tell Me How Cool the NYC Marathon Is
Ahoy!
Looking for some advice.
Last year I really (really) wanted a sub-4 hour marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon. I was very much on pace for a 3:55 when I got tripped around mile 19 
and limped in to a 4:29 (still a PR... but I wanted that stinking 4-hour race). This year (2010) I was going to re-run the race and gain some ease of mind (and revenge!) on the MCM course. It is also the 35 anniversary of the race. Since those marines know how to put on a great race so I can only assume they be extra stoked for the 35 time.
But!
Today I got an email from the New York Road Runners. Seems I have a guaranteed entry into the NYC Marathon. 
Degree of difficult: MCM on 10/31, NYR on 11/7.
So, having only heard about it... how cool is the NY Marathon? Worth giving up the MCM race? Any suggestions?
Oh, and yes I've considered doing them both: MCM for time and NYR for the scenery/experience.
Comments
Dan
I did NYC in 1989- my first. Worth IT, IMO. I think though because of crowds, not as fast? They do have chip timing though didn't when i did it.
My most memorable moment was the silence of crossing the 59th street bridge, then coming onto 1st ave in Manhattan and the crowds were roaring! Then I actually saw my sister in the crowds of the 1st ave as I was running by.
Not remembering where i parked my car in city after race whole other story
Carpe Diem
I guess it depends where you are coming from and what you are looking for. The NYC marathon is very cool. The start is cool going over the bridge, coming down the bridge back onto manhattan is amazing, the city is the city and the finishing miles in the park is pretty awesome. Not many other times you get to participate in a sporting event and then watch the coverage of it on the national news espn etc. Very cool.
There are also lots of negatives. I lived in and around the city for years before I ran NYC so my perspective may be a bit different. FWIW it was my first sub 4 mary, 3:55:xx. Logistically it is a bit of a nightmare as it starts on Staten Island. Most have to get on a bus in midtown at o dark thirty and spend hours out near the start. A thought that kept running through my head out there was what would be the plan if it were raining? There was no where that would have been out of the rain. Also, it is not a good PR race at all because of the hills [mainly the bridges but they are bigger than you think] and the fact that it is hard to run fast from the start unless you are way up front. It took me 13 minutes to get through the first mile and was really crowded for the first several.
I imagine that if you are not as familiar with NYC the positives would be bigger and the negs not as big a deal. Regardless I think that everyone should do NYC at least once.
Seems like a bad idea to do both. There will be plenty of years you can run either. Have fun.
I did it this past November. I walked the end because of an ankle and IT band injuy and still it was one of my best days ever! I had a smile on my face the entire time. The crowds and scenery make it, hey it's NYC right!
I'm qualified as well and I'll be doing it again this year.
I cant help you with time considerations (you asked how cool it was anyway), it's not supposed to be one of the easiest of courses, but the people cheering will help you get the most out of the yourself.
So, are you going to do it?
I don't know yet... I have until March 15th to pick up my slot. I'm leaning towards "maybe" ... but I really want to do MCM. It's a pickle.
If you don't mind throwing money away, you can register for the event, and cancel/defer up to a day before the race. If you defer, you still have to pay full registration in 2011, but you'd be guaranteed entry again.
1) Large entry fee
2) Waiting for hours in the cold on Staten Island
3) Tough race to run for PR (too many runners, several good hills)
You must do this race at least once.
I did NYC in November, and it was a great setting. Like Marianne said, since you've already done MCM, NYC would be an obvious great choice ... but it depends what your drivers are. If you're looking for a PR, I don't think either are top choices - see if you can find something on a flatter course - Chicago or Milwaukee come to mind (both great races.) If you're looking at destination, that's a more personal assessment, but both are excellent locations. If you want the challenge of improving over a previous race on the same course, MCM wins. As Chris pointed out, the logistics of NYC (and Boston, as another example) are extensive. Up early to get transport to the holding area for race start, and a couple hours of "field" time before the race. If you know what it's going to be, you can prepare and manage it, but for some, it drives them crazy to wait.
Dan, I had to run 10 marathons before I finally beat 4 hours. I am still not sure how I did it but ran a 3:45 at the 2008 Gasparilla Marathon in Tampa. I have run the MCM 4 times and always came close to a PR, that is just a tough run. I also ran the MCM and NYC Marathon in the same year. For me it was all about the rest in between, ice, stretch and roll those legs.
The NYC marathon was an awsome experience, going over the Verrazano Bridge with thousands of other runners and seeing the Manhattan skyline is pretty moving especially when you think about 9/11. The only problem I had on that run was my feet hurt really bad towards the end. The start is pretty crowded and takes a couple of miles before you can stretch your legs, so unless you start from the front dont expect to be too close to a PR.
I just ran the R&R Vegas Marathon last December and ran a 3:51 without much training. I think cycling has helped me now that I think about it. Hang in there, you will make it!
Rick
I'm in the NYC lottery this year because it is one of those Bucket List things. I had the chance to run it in 2000 but didn't do it because I was training for Houston as my first in January 2001 and didn't want to mess up Houston. I do regret it now.
So, which will you regret more - not running NYC or not running MCM?