Run New York – Run!
- Start Time: 7:30 AM
- Temp: 53 degrees
- Finishers: 11,494
- Male Winner: Peter Kamais of Kenya in 59:53 (honestly, WHAT do these Kenyans eat?!)
- Female Winner: Mara Yamauchi of Great Britain in 1:09
- Number of Gatorade fuel cups I set up at 5:00 AM: 3,359 (roughly…)
Anyone who was in Manhattan this weekend will be able to relate to the absurdly nice weather we had – perfect for all things New York. Best of all, this weather summoned the running gods to create the perfect Sunday race morning.
Having opted out of the NYC Half Marathon this year, I decided the best way to watch the race was as a volunteer for the mile 5 fuel station. Not realizing that this was the most labor intensive post (note to self, sign up for the Course Marshal position next time), I came full force to 110th Street at 5:00 AM to set up tables among tables among tables…of cups – all filled with a heavy concentrate Gatorade/water formula. Shortly after the starting gun runners sped by – everyone from the American record holder to a Biggest Loser contestant (remember this when you say you can’t run). Less than two hours later, the race past our post like a tornado – leaving behind thousands of empty cups crushed across the north side of Central Park. Feeling like a Gatorade drenched prisoner picking up trash on the side of a highway, sans criminal charges of course, I channeled my inner Mother Earth to help rake everything up.
Although I didn’t run this morning, spending the few hours on the other side of the starting line was a different kind of healthy living fulfillment – one we should all try once and a while. As a spectator you experience the race in a different way and feel inspired by helping so many runners (yes, I occasionally use touchy feel-y words such as inspiring…I blame it on the weather).
Takeaways from today: say thank you to the volunteers during my race. think of that really old guy I saw jogging when I feel like I can’t push through the next mile. become a Kenyan…STAT!
Yay M.! Way to volunteer and help other runners get through the day
Ashley said this on March 22, 2010 at 4:18 PM |