It could get crowded right here, the place runners traverse 30 blocks all the way down to Central Park South earlier than hanging a good proper and returning to the park’s west drive for 800 yards to the end. However in case you can deal with the crowds, the surroundings of the park mixed with watching runners understand they’re about to perform one thing big is unbeatable.
Tips on how to get there: The subway traces to get you listed here are the Q or the 4, 5, or 6; you wish to enter the park under ninetieth Avenue and Fifth Avenue, which is the place the marathon course sends runners into the park. Stroll west from the subway, cross Fifth Avenue and enter the park. Maintain transferring west, and you may hit the drive (or simply comply with the sounds of your fellow spectators.)
10. For the Huge End: Central Park South, Manhattan
The place to go: 59th Avenue and Fifth Avenue or Columbus Circle
That is the closest it is possible for you to to get to the end line with no ticket for the grandstands by the end line. NGL, it’s a good squeeze—numerous individuals wish to glimpse runners as they head into their closing mile. Through the center of the day, these blocks can get 5 or 6 individuals deep.
However if you’re a professional working fan, it might be price it to you to get right here early to catch the highest runners as they strategy the end. Strikes have been made right here, titles received and misplaced. That is additionally an incredible place to supply some assist late within the day to flagging runners on the lookout for the vitality to make that closing dash to the end line.
Tips on how to get there: The N or R prepare to Fifth Avenue, or A, B, C, D, or 1 trains to Columbus Circle are the quickest technique to attain this spot.
Put up-Race Meet-up Spots
You will not be capable of meet your runner on the end line itself. Race admin will ship runners on a mile-long zombie shuffle by Central Park and down Central Park West—with a courtesy heat poncho, medal, snacks, and drinks—till they exit at 72nd Avenue. If the runner checked a bag, that slog goes to take a bit of longer, as they must go farther uptown to the bag-check vehicles earlier than exiting. (Professional tip: If you understand you’re assembly a runner, save them the bag-check trouble and provide to satisfy them with their gadgets.)
As a substitute, head to 72nd Avenue between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, the place you may catch your runner simply out of the exit chute. They will be drained, possibly a bit of hangry, and undoubtedly greater than a bit of chilly once they see you. They may even be very blissful to see you, significantly in case you keep in mind to convey them a pleasant toasty sweatshirt and possibly some delicate, comfortable footwear.
There are countless bars and eating places on Manhattan’s Higher West Facet alongside Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. As you may most likely guess, they’re additionally all very crowded on Marathon Sunday. Some eating places will take reservations, however others restrict that privilege to massive teams. So, in case you do not thoughts mingling with numerous different runners, listed here are two good spots: