There’s an article at my local paper’s website saying that some runners from here have decided not to go to New York because they think it’s tacky. According to the article, Bloomberg says “the show must go on” because businesses are counting on the attendees for sales, rentals, etc.
(I rarely look at the local Communist media, but I was looking for information on a major traffic jam yesterday. Nothing mentioned ...)
As already reported down thread, the NYC Marathon starts at the Staten Island side of the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge.
But not to worry ING and other race sponsers offer the following once Staten Island is left behind:
Fluids and Food
Poland Spring® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water will be available at the start and at official fluid stations every mile beginning at mile 3.
Gatorade® G Series Pro Endurance Formula? will be available at official fluid stations every mile beginning at mile 3 except at mile 17.
Fluids will be dispensed in recyclable cups. There will be tables on both sides of the course. To avoid the bottleneck at the first table, get a cup from a later table. Please keep moving after you pick up your cup.
The Poland Spring® Hydration Zone?including water stations, sponges, and music?will be located at mile 17 on First Avenue.
At the PowerGel Energy Zone at mile 18, assorted PowerGels (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry-Banana, Raspberry Cream, Double Latte, Tangerine) will help you hurdle ?the wall? and energize you to the finish.
Fruit will be available at the fluid stations at miles 20?23.
For your safety, take fluids and food only at official stations.
Toilets
Portable toilets (including wheelchair-accessible ones) will be located every mile beginning at mile 3.
Entertainment/Cheering Zones
More than 130 bands and entertainment zones along the course will motivate and entertain runners and spectators alike. An interactive map of bands and entertainment zone locations and details will be posted in late October.
ING and other sponsors will host cheering zones along the course for spectators. Cheering zones will feature spectator amenities such as sign-making supplies, fun giveaways, and DJs.
______________________
Oh, I forgot to mention the medical stations all along the course.
For more entertainment info go to the ING NYC Marathon site.
As a final ironic note, it was announced today that the director of the “Hunger Games” movie will direct all future novies of the trilogy.
You just can’t make this stuff up.