Today's New York Marathon wound through Harlem at the last 4 miles of the race and we were able to take a few photographs of the diverse crowd participating in the event. Out all the international groups, Italy and France seem to dominate with the amount of runners entered in the entire competition. There were many northern European countries such as Sweden, Norway and Denmark on hand but it would be the small group of African runners briefly seen at the very beginning of the race that would take today's title:
LINK. Also seen were Central and South American countries such as Mexico, Peru and Brazil. Locally, NYPD and FDNY always seem to have quite a few runners participating every year amongst the thousands of everyday athletes that participate in the race. We're not sure how the other neighborhoods treated the runners who were passing through but Harlem had cheering spectators lined up and a stage setup with live jazz that welcomed athletes as they sped by Mount Morris Park West.
I was out cheering them on too!!
ReplyDelete1st Ave at 97th St had a band and a fairly noisy gathering of spectators early this morning. Later I moved over to 5th Ave and 97th to watch the runners come south. Big enthusiastic crowds there. The fans didn't just cheer for the leaders; they stayed and cheered for the many thousands of runners that followed. It was good fun. A great event for all 5 boroughs!
ReplyDeleteMy parents and I cheered the runners across from Marcus Garvey Park. What an exciting experience! I'm humbled by the determination and zeal of the runners.
ReplyDeleteAs I returned home from a quick grocery run around 7 PM, I passed a severely handicapped participant, walking slowly down the sidewalk of 5th Ave., one leg dragging behind the step of the other other. He was guided by two Achilles volunteers, and what was likely two family members trailing behind. This was ~10 hours into the "race", and it was probably another ~2 hours until the finish.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes are welling up again just thinking about it... Truly inspirational and an amazing example of the determination and dedication that makes this event - and its spirit - truly terrific.
This was a great day all around: for the thousands and thousands of amazing runners, and for everyone in the neighborhood who came out to support them, and for the volunteers who spent hours at the water station at 119th. Really spirit-lifting!
ReplyDeleteWe were there watching! Also ran into Albert Maysles who was filming a documentary.
ReplyDeleteI ran the marathon the last two years. It has the best crowd support of any marathon I've run and arguably the best of any other marathon for that matter. Parts of Brooklyn were a big party and 1st Ave feels like you are in a big parade, but for me, coming back into Harlem is the best part of the course. It's great to come back into my own neighborhood from the Bronx and be headed for the finish. The crowds are just as thick and even more enthusiastic, if that's possible. The music is great, the signs are funny, and everyone is smiling. Everyone cheering you along those last few miles toward the park helps you forget how tired you are and how bad your legs are hurting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Harlem!!