Marathon Eve

As promised, I did take some pictures last night. I always regret not bringing my D3, and this trip is no exception.   Hopefully, though,  the images will convey some of the excitement that's in the air here in NYC this weekend.  

My first glimpse of the finish line

Delegations from around the world at the parade

The honor guard

Meb Keflezighi is the first honorary finisher, click the link, he has a great story

The evening ended with an amazing fireworks show over the Park

 This morning dawned bright and beautiful, and after our coffee, we headed back to the Park.  There really is nothing quite like Central Park on a crisp fall morning.

New York Road Runners sponsored their first Dash to the Finish Line 5k to give runners and their friends and families a chance to run the last 3.1 miles of the famed marathon course and cross that famous finish line.  We arrived at the perfect time to document the finish.

Looking forward to seeing this banner tomorrow

The men's 5k winner was from Great Britain

A New Yorker was the first female finisher

Got to love a US Champ!

There were lots of fun costumes, including many from the runners' native countries.  Where do you think these guys are from?  

Love this - that's the true spirit of  running, finishing together , faces full joy.  

The true heroes of the race - the thousands of volunteers!  These guys work harder than the athletes in bitter cold; before the crack of dawn;  long, long hours.  In a race of this magnitude, it wouldn't come off nearly as smoothly without them.  Thanks to all who volunteer!












I think I'm finally ready for tomorrow.  Bib number is pinned to shirt, clothes laid out, UPS bag packed, Garmin & phones charging.  Have 2 alarms set and am calling for a 4:30 wake-up call, so hopefully the bad dreams from last night have been taken care of.   After much ado, we finally have Gary's phone loaded with the Track My Runner app so he can follow me and he has his subway card ready & his route planned out.  My nerves have calmed and now I'm just excited.
See you at the Finish Line!!