It could possibly 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 when you can deal with the crowds, the surroundings of the park mixed with watching runners understand they’re about to perform one thing large is unbeatable.
The right way to get there: The subway traces to get you listed below are the Q or the 4, 5, or 6; you need 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. Preserve transferring west, and you will hit the drive (or simply observe 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 and not using a ticket for the grandstands by the end line. NGL, it’s a good squeeze—numerous folks need to glimpse runners as they head into their remaining mile. In the course of the center of the day, these blocks can get 5 or 6 folks deep.
However in case you are a professional operating fan, it might be value it to you to get right here early to catch the highest runners as they method the end. Strikes have been made right here, titles gained and misplaced. That is additionally an amazing place to supply some help late within the day to flagging runners on the lookout for the power to make that remaining dash to the end line.
The right way to get there: The N or R practice to Fifth Avenue, or A, B, C, D, or 1 trains to Columbus Circle are the quickest method to attain this spot.
Put up-Race Meet-up Spots
You will not be capable to meet your runner on the end line itself. Race admin will ship runners on a mile-long zombie shuffle by way of 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 should go farther uptown to the bag-check vans earlier than exiting. (Professional tip: If you already know you’re assembly a runner, save them the bag-check trouble and supply to fulfill them with their gadgets.)
As an alternative, 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’re going to be drained, perhaps a bit of hangry, and positively greater than a bit of chilly once they see you. They may even be very comfortable to see you, notably when you keep in mind to deliver them a pleasant toasty sweatshirt and perhaps some smooth, comfortable sneakers.
There are infinite 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 huge teams. So, when you do not thoughts mingling with numerous different runners, listed below are two good spots: