Cities are at their best on marathon day, with populous cities hosting a spectacle as hundreds of thousands assemble to cheer on tens of thousands of runners they mostly don’t know. The New York marathon was particularly special, painting a stunning image of an autumn morning with the sun reflecting off the harbor, and around 53,000 runners energetically making their way across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The spectators were in high spirits, the loudest and longest throng being the people of Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and those in the South Bronx who turned a part of the course into a mile-long fruit stand.
Among the crowd were high profile participants that included Olympians and renowned marathon champions, adding to the spirit and charm of the marathon day. For anyone running, the overwhelming gratitude towards such a supportive crowd was quite a sight, and as the race progressed, one couldn’t help but speculate about the fierce competition probably taking place upfront.
Indeed, the race’s results revealed an intense contest between the champions. Sheila Chepkirui outpaced defending champion Hellen Obiri in the final mile to win in 2:24:35, while Dutch athlete Abdi Nageeye topped a field that included Olympic champion Tamirat Tola with a time of 2:07:39. While the thrill of witnessing the finish remained a delight for the slower racers, the tactical plays enacted throughout the marathon were equally thrilling.
This race, unlike others, is not a time trial; it’s a strategic challenge where contenders have to carefully calculate their moves. Recently, races on flat courses, like the one in Chicago, have seen world records shattered, due to the assistance of pacers. Races with undulating terrains like New York and Boston, however, don’t rely on pacers – they are about strategy, tactics and seizing just the right moment.
The New York Marathon is a game where players like Tola and Obiri, among other Paris Olympians, despite their recent exposure to a rigorous course, participated with the hopes of outdoing each other. The results pointed to an epic battle among the leading contenders whose strategic moves and the decision of when to strike were truly breathtaking.
Therefore, while there are races designed for forbearing runners to chase human achievement’s limits, events like New York and Boston are celebrated for their unique take on marathon running. They challenge participants not to beat time barriers but to succeed an intricate game of strategy, tactics, and endurance, and for that, every running enthusiast remains grateful.
