NYCM: Changes to the Start Process

Acting on feedback from runners, the NYRR will be implementing several changes to the start process of the NYC Marathon this year. Chief among them are the wave start and the baggage handling. With these enhancements to the system, NYRR hope that runners can look forward to the following benefits:

1. Reduced crowding and wait time standing in corrals,
2. Reduced crowding and wait time standing on the bridge, waiting for the race to start,
3. Reduced time to cross the start line (NYRR hopes that runners can cross the starting line within 6 minutes), and
4. Reduced crowding on the course and at the finish.

So what's the wave start all about? Instead of releasing a mass start of approximately 40,000 runners at one time, the field will first be organized into three separate start lines designated with blue, orange or green colors. Then each starting line will be broken down to 3 waves designated white, yellow or blue. There are 6 corrals within each wave - A to F. Each wave will have approximately 13,000 runners and will be released at 20-minute intervals. Wave 1 will begin at 9:40 am., followed by wave 2 at 10:00 am., and then wave 3 at 10:20 am. The runners will be allocated their "waves" according to their projected goal time.


I consider myself a fairly average-paced runner, so I'll likely be placed in either the Wave 2 or 3. Wave 1 would probably be assigned to the elites and sub 3:30 finishers. Runners fearing the loss of the unique starting experience - the firing of the starting cannon and Sinatra's rendering of "New York, New York" - need not worry as each wave will still have the same ceremony. The cannon will just see more action and Sinatra will have to sing a few more times!

Baggage handling is also being revamped. The UPS trucks will be parked near the entrance (in the open zone) to the Staten Island staging area to receive your checked-in baggage (in case you're wondering, only official clear goodie bags are accepted for deposits - I suppose I'd be remiss if I tossed that bag too prematurely). From the alphabetically sorted manner of yesteryears, the organizers are sorting the trucks by bib number in increments of 1,000 this time around.

My Start Plans

So how do these new start processes affect my overall race morning plans? Nada, really. It may add a few extra minutes of shuffling for every runner before the cannon sounds, but not much more than that. My plans for race morning are currently as follows: Get up early at 5am, shower and prep - trying not to wake up Laura and our marathon chase crew members, and leave the hotel by 5:30am. That should give me a little time to spare before I need to catch my 6:00am marathon bus at the NYC Public Library. From there, we runners will be transported down to Battery Park where a free ferry ride awaits to take us from Manhattan over the Upper New York Bay to the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. Interesting, though the Staten Island Ferry's sole mission is non-vehicular passenger transportation, what many first-time visitors do not realize is that this 5 mile, 25 minute ride also provides possibly the most majestic views of New York Harbor for free. From the deck of the ferry you will have a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, as well as the receding skyscrapers and bridges of Lower Manhattan as you pull away. Even though I'll be making this early morning voyage alone, it will likely be the most reflective and inspiring part of my whole marathon day. Shuttle buses will then transport us from the St. George Ferry Terminal to the runners-only staging area in Fort Wadsworth. Here we will need to locate our assigned starting area, to be yet communicated, based on our bib numbers. In this area, I will do my best to stay warm while stretching and attempting to relax.

In addition to the all-important discardable clothing I'll be initially wearing, I also plan to take my small waistband pack filled with a couple extra gels and electrolytes, as well as my trusty iPod. At least the iPod will help make the 3+ hour wait there on Staten Island manageable. Haven't decided on whether a cellphone will be a take-along necessity or not, since I've heard the crowds in Central Park can make it rather difficult to find anyone...if anyone has experience with this item at NYCM firsthand, or have ideas to share, please let me know.

Well, NYRR should be confirming my starting area assignments sometime this month. Then, come the second week of October, I believe each runner will be expecting to receive a bib collection card.

Wow, unreal. Only 54 days left!