New York City Marathon 2009: Runners share their stories and photos

Kristen Kitner from Sacramento, CA at the New York City Marathon poses with daughter Addison at Mile 8

  
Running your first or even your ninth New York City Marathon can be an emotional. exciting, wild experience.  A few runners from different cities around the country share their thoughts, highlights, and stories below:

• New York Marathon 2009 Runner's Photo Slideshow
•  Additional running news at Sacramento Running Examiner

Courtney Ramsdell, New York City, NY (4:20:15):  "It was my first marathon, I entered through the lottery on a whim having mixed feelings.  Having a fairly open summer ahead of me, I was feeling a little lost in such a big city. I needed a goal, something to work for and feel proud of. No team sport I've played could compare with the pride I felt crossing the finish line on Sunday!  Thank you to everyone for such a positive experience- runners, spectators, volunteers, and the city of New York! I cannot say enough about how much fun I had- even when taking a spill on the bridge into the Bronx!! 4:20:15, I'll take it!
 
I'm from the suburbs of Philadelphia and moved to Manhattan a year ago. Tomorrow is my 24th birthday, what better way to celebrate than to finish my first marathon?  I will be celebrating with a well deserved and needed massage and facial with my older sister.  Thank you to all the amazing spectators for their incredible energy and support! NYC 40th running- what an unforgettable experience!!

Roberto Munoz, Parkland, FL, (3:33;05):  Every runner has some level of anxiety or nervousness that builds up before the race, sometimes for months, sometimes for days, some more, and some less. When the gun goes off and you cross the start line, all that anxiety magically vaporizes and the body enters into a harmonic state of rhythm where everything is connected: arms, legs, breathing, heartbeat, etc. A tug of war between body and mind goes on for the next 26.2 miles: early on the body can deliver more but the mind holds it back, later on the body can give no more but the mind pushes you through.

When you cross the finish line, another huge transformation takes place: the mind sends an OK message to the body that it's all over and the cycle can stop, endorphins have piled up to record high levels, and combined with the realization that the objective has been attained, the marathon finisher reaches levels of euphoria.  New York City Marathon 2009 is my fourth marathon, finished in 3:33:05.

Aviva Gat, Boston University, (4:27:02):  Sunday was the best day of my life! I was running for the charity The Blue Card, which aids destitute Holocaust survivors. It was my first marathon and I started training in June. my time was 4:27:02, which was three minutes faster than my goal. The whole time i kept thinking about the finish line.  I couldn't believe I was actually doing it. I have been thinking about it for 5 months and I couldn't believe it actually happened. It was surreal. I enjoyed watching all the people cheering in the different boroughs, everyone was so supportive and that definitely helped keep me going! I didn't get tired at all until around mile 18, so miles 18 through 23 were pretty difficult but I kept my mind on the goal: finish under 4:30. My sister was waiting for me between miles 23 and 24 with a huge neon pink sign, so when I saw her, I knew I was almost done so I got a boost of energy. My last mile was under 8 minutes, making it the fastest mile I have ever run in my life! I started crying when I crossed the finish line, I was so happy and I couldn't believe I did it.

Szelim Kong, Pittsburg, PA, (4:18:52):  Finished with a time of 4:18:52. Was hoping to do better but it was nevertheless my best time in the NYC Marathon. I wasn't sure how I felt about being placed in the Wave 3 start, but it turned out to be great since I got to see the lead pack on the Bridge and also got to start close to the cannon start for Wave 3.  Way cool!

Chad Tibbetts, Brooklyn, NY, (3:15:54):  Just finished my race report for New York City Marathon. Details of everything, wake up to finish. Have a look... Brooklynrunning's Blog

Maria Croyle, Somerset, PA, (4:54:56):  I want to send a big thank you to New York and the organizers of the race! By far the best marathon I have run (this was my 15th!) I passed an awesome runner during the race that had both legs amputated and who was using an interesting prosthetic and crutches to race. Seeing his determination was humbling and really kept me going! 

Here are some quotes that were heard on race day:

“Butter baby ….. you got yourself here……the rest of this, its just butter” - Deena Kastor, Olympic Bronze Medalist and US Record Holding Marathon Runner at the porta potties at the start. 

"My wife thinks I am running this little race today in Central Park…..little does she know that it is just a series of 26 grand parties - with a HUGE one at the finish line….." - Dennis, fellow runner from Arizona on the Staten Island Ferry.

"Welcome to the International Crossroads of Marathon Racing - Enjoy your Day in New York!"
-Mary Wittenberg, Race Director, ING New York City Marathon before the gun went off…..

Kristen Kinter, Sacramento, CA (4:23:18):  Nothing could have prepared me for the experience of the New York City Marathon! From the Staten Island Ferry to the start on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, you realize you are a part of something so big before you even begin. As you come off the bridge you are welcomed with support from people who do not know you screaming your name (my name was on my shirt). As you run through Brooklyn the crowds bring tears to your eyes and a smile on your face. As you pass through the crowds of high five and inspirational signs you just become overwhelmed with emotions through all five boroughs. They say in a marathon you hit a wall around mile 20-22 but "The City" does not give you the opportunity to hit that wall because your feet just keep responding to the cheers and shouts and smiles. You feel like a celebrity passing through the streets. As I write this it is two days later and my legs are still hurting from the last two mile surge to the finish line.  The pictures in my mind still bring tears to my eyes. As much as I thought I was finished running marathons after this one, the experience of New York has made me realize how running inspires so many others even if they are not out there with you. I plan to enter the marathon lottery again and hopefully reliving this experience as many times as I can, and hopefully inspire my daughter to someday run with me. I will forever remember her face at mile 24 asking if she could finish the race with me and me telling her, not today but I promise someday you will finish this one with me! The beauty of New York, and the Kindness and support of the people, will stay with me until I do get to experience it again.  Thank you New York City! 

Angel Hong, Westchester, NY, (5:09:34):  I ran it in 5:09:34 with my boyfriend.   We trained according to the schedule and my boyfriend experienced major cramps at mile 20 during the race. I waited and we finished together and had the time of our lives. What an incredible experience. We will be out there next year!
 
Dee Cohen, New York, NY:  This marathon was not my best time ever, - but not My Worst either! I am so happy that the weather cooperated.  This was my 9th New York City Marathon, but, I always get nervous, and I always end up loving the race, no matter what happens along the course.  For any of you who are coming back:  I will see you at the Start in 2010!   As a side note, here is the Weirdest marathon moment ever: we made a wrong turn, and a bunch of us got trapped in Green Village on the way to Orange Corrals.  We had to scale the fence like it was a mass prison break!  It was so crazy!

This was Marathon number 12 for me, and my 9th New York City Marathon. My 1st was NYC Marathon '91. I recall The Exact Moment I decided to run a marathon. We were watching my Uncle run NYC Marathon '90. He's done 10. It's like, a Genetic Defect/Blessing, I guess, to be a "Crazy Runner". Family and friends were in Queens, waiting to see him. I was clinging onto a lamp post to get a good view. We saw him. We SCREAMED. He waved. He looked SO HAPPY, as did EVERY other runner! The energy out there was SO intense. And I thought, "Next year- I'm DEFINITELY gonna be on the OTHER SIDE of this spectator line!" I HAVE to be ONE OF THEM!" And I did it. I was crying so hard as I approached my 1st Marathon Finish Line, that I had to force myself to calm down, or I would've hyperventilated and NOT even MADE IT to the actual Finish! And, now, 18 years later- I STILL get SO nervous, and SO excited. And it's STILL scary, and painful, and rewarding, and WORTH IT!

It was an amazing day!  I met GREAT people! The weather was FINE! The Volunteers were AWESOME! There were MILLIONS of spectators! The Firefighters were a cute as EVER! And it hurt like HELL! And, as usual- I can't wait to do it ALL OVER AGAIN in 2010!

Francisco Cardenas, Miami, FL, (5:01:44), Congratulations to all finishers.  It was my second marathon ever, and first in New York. Everything was great and I had a good time. Even though I did not make under 5 hours (5:01:44), I am very happy, and even improved the time in my first marathon. Thanks New York and ING, and all the amazing people and volunteers that were there for us !

Jamie Reed, Great Britain (6:48:00): Yes I am a large chap but I trained for 11 months to take part in this years Marathon and have helped to raise around £11,000 for a cancer charity in the UK. I was doing well until I got severe cramp in both of my legs so then had to finish the race by walking, how was I supposed to know that was going to be the scenario? The person who wrote the article about slow runners (Plodders, do the have a place in the marathon?) has clearly been written by someone who does not know what the spirit of the marathon is all about, finishing one of the most demanding races in the world, even if you do get injured. So I came in at 6.48, hey at least I got off my backside and did it, DESPITE THE PAIN!

Joan Buchanan Dodson, Charlotte, NC, (4:15:27):  This was my first marathon! Whew!! Wasn't expecting so many hills! Finished in 4:15:27!  What a great experience! 

Mike Marschalk, (4:01:58):  The New York City Marathon was a fantastic experence for me. The race was well organized, the course support was the best, and meeting so many people from all over the world was a highlight for me.
 

• New York Marathon 2009 Runner's Photo Slideshow
•  Additional running news at Sacramento Running Examiner

 Save on carpooling and travel costs to out-of-town races with the RAT Pack Runners 

 Nancy Lancaster is a Sacramento run-walker and organizer of the Running Adventures Travel Club and Five Tool Fitness Running Club. She is also a Realtor for Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, CA.  You can email Nancy at nancy@nancylancaster.com