As we approach Marathon Weekend, I am reminded about my great ING New York City Marathon experience in 2009.  It is truly one of the greatest races in the world, and a wonderful way to experience New York City.  Many elements go into this great race some being culture, architecture, and determination.

The culture is portrayed through the 5 boroughs that the race course covers to the individual neighborhoods in those boroughs.  Throughout the 26.2 mile run racers experience the diversity that every neighborhood has to offer.  People from every different background, culture, and country come together to cheer runners on and race in this event.  Runners travel through Latin American neighborhoods, the Hasidic Jewish neighborhood in Williamsburg, and a Polish neighborhood in Greenpoint among many others.

Next, the architecture portrayed throughout the race often mirrors the culture of the neighborhood of which they are located, it is interesting to see the brownstones in Brooklyn vs. the skyscrapers in Manhattan.  There are also other architectural elements that one often overlooks such as bridges, I never noticed the changes in elevation of a bridge much until I ran up the Greensboro Bridge, now I pay more attention to it.  Lastly, the architecture is what one remembers that marks their journey along the race.  There is nothing like running in Queens and seeing the architectural landmarks of Manhattan in the skyline, such as Empire State Building that is in the distance, its almost like a mirage in the desert, since it is last borough of the race.

The race is also about determination.  Determiniation in following a training plan. Determination in making yourself run when its rainy 50^o F weather.  And Determination when you reach mile 21 in the Bronx, when the cheering crowd is sparse, and you start to get tired and sore.  Determination is what gives you that extra push to make it to Central Park to cross that orange line.

Words cannot even describe the experience of this great race, but I hope I at least gave you some insight as to what it is like.

Good Luck to all of the runners running this year!

P.S. The picture above is one of those parent-child moments when I say, "Dad, please don't take my picture I just ran a Marathon and need a shower" and the parent takes the picture anyway.