NYC Half – Sideline Recap

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Kelly

Well, I’ve never written a spectating/volunteering recap, but I think the NYC Half deserves one.

I arrived at NYRR bright and early at 5:50 a.m. on Sunday morning, and my group, the East side “course marshals”, headed to Central Park just as the elites began to arrive in their SUVs and vans (I was thisclose to Alberto Salazar, Kara and Adam Goucher, OMGZ).

I was stationed right at the Engineer’s Gate in Central Park (90th street and Fifth Ave.), and even though it was friggin’ freezing (35 degrees!), excitement was in the air and runners were already filling the park. Soon enough, the elites began to arrive – they were the only ones allowed to enter the park where we were (more about that in a minute…)

More Goucher action, heading to the start

By the time the race started, I could barely feel my hands, but managed a few photos before I settled on clapping and jumping incessantly to keep warm for the next 2 hours.

The men literally flew by

As did the ladies

I’ve got to say, being a course marshal mostly consisted of cheering for people, which I loved!

However…

We were given jobs before the race started to make sure no one entered the park where we were except the elites – no problem, yes? Well, I cannot tell you the number of runners that blatantly ignored and defied volunteers, and continued with their warm-ups and runs in areas they weren’t supposed to be.

Heads up guys – I know races get everyone pumped and nervous, but it doesn’t take much to follow the rules and treat people that are out in the cold at 6:00 a.m. for your benefit with a little respect. I love runners, and I love being a runner, but it really sucks when a few rude a-holes bad eggs give us a bad name.

Rant over.

I can’t say I didn’t wish (a lot) that I was the one being cheered for, rather than the one doing the cheering, during the race. Seeing everyone out there having fun and pushing hard was definitely bittersweet, but it was also even more inspiration I need to get this Achilles healthy so I can be back out there and racing soon!

Huge congrats to everyone who ran!!

Question: Have you ever volunteered at a race before? Thoughts on race etiquette/rules?

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  • http://Foodtorunfor.blogspot.com Lizzy

    M orekara action!!! Very cool. I’ve never volunteered before..I wish the baa did a program like nyrr. Happy Monday

  • http://sweettoothrunner.com Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner)

    That sucks that some people were so inconsiderate!! I totally LOVED the volunteers at my last race- they really spurred me on! :)

    Race rules are there for a reason, so people should FOLLOW them! And someday I’d love to volunteer! :D

    Don’t worry girl, you’ll soon be back out there flying through the streets again like the speed demon you are!! :)

  • http://www.healthontherun.net Lauren

    I LOVE watching the elite runners go by!! That’s one reason why I love going to watch the Boston Marathon. It’s inspiring to be so close to greatness! :)

    And I get so frustrated with people like that. I understand everyone is nervous and they want to be able to do their own pre-race routine, but I don’t think that ever excuses blatantly disregarding the rules. It shows an arrogance that just really bothers me. I know the rules in races are annoying sometimes but they’re there for a reason….

  • greensandjeans

    Ugh, how frustrating! I always make sure to thank volunteers as I’m running by or at least flash them a smile!

  • http://secondcityrandomness.wordpress.com Amy @ Second City Randomness

    I’ve volunteered for Girls on the Run and even then, it’s the parents who decide they and their daughters are the exceptions. Sort of annoying because you’re trying to keep the balance between not starting anything (it’s supposed to be fun!) and keeping everything as organized as possible…

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      omg, yes, at least we didn’t have to deal with parents – that would have been so much worse!!

  • http://www.insightfulappetite.com sofia

    i think a lot of runners don’t realize or think about the fact that the many of the volunteers are runners themselves! so maybe if they thought about that more they’d be more respectful? who knows. good for you for being there before 6AM! insaaaanity. i ain’t that giving, and have never volunteered. it makes me too bitter/ angry. i need to grow up. haha.

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      don’t get me wrong, I was a smidge bitter and angry too. But would have been even if I didn’t volunteer – a no-win situation, I guess!

  • http://www.beyonddefeat.com baker

    kelly! thanks for cheering! was such a fun surprise to hear my name at the volunteer area! it was like my worst race ever. my report will explain all in a few days.

    • http://mealsformiles.wordpress.com mealsformiles

      I was so excited to spot you! But bummer – you looked great running by – I’ll wait for the recap… :)

  • http://www.cortneyaggie.blogspot.com Cortney

    I LOVE volunteering at Races. I did a 5k at night around Christmas and they really didn’t have a job for me so I just stood at the corner right before the turn to the finish and cheered on EVERY SINGLE PERSON. It was AMAZING! I loved especially the little ladies at 1:30 still coming in at a stroll and showing them that they were just as important as the fast elites.

    As a runner who is usually near the back of the pack I SO appreciate any volunteer or supporter who is there to cheer me on when I need it the most!

  • http://www.earlymorningrun.blogspot.com lisa @ early morning run

    I have volunteered for NYRR races and the experiences gave me a new respect for the volunteers. I think it’s incredibly important that all runners should volunteer for a race at one point or another. I’m with you, as much as I love running and being a runner, I can’t believe how rude some of us are! But, I suppose that happens just about everywhere. Right? Sad. Hope you’ve warmed up and had a great time overall!

  • http://www.runnersrambles.com Aron

    Very awesome of you to volunteer! I have only volunteered at tris, but need to at a running race. I think it would be so cool to see all the big elites too :) how fun!

  • http://runnerscookie.com Corey @ The Runner’s Cookie

    Great pictures!! I LOVE seeing the amazing runners up close and person – it is so inspiring, I always feel star struck. I still can’t believe you ran by Kara Goucher!!
    About the runners who disregard race volunteers, that is really disappointing. I always appreciate race volunteers SO much – I cannot take water from them during a race without saying Thank You, because I just think it is such a nice thing they are doing to be out there. I guess with a big race you’re bound to come across some people who think the rules don’t apply to them, which is definitely frustrating. I’m sure most of the runners totally appreciated that you were there, and it sounds like you had a fun time!! I bet you will be back to racing in no time – nothing like watching a race to get you motivated :)

  • http://www.marcigilbert.com Marci

    I haven’t volunteered, but I have spectated. I think not running is a great experience and important part of a race! Everyone has a role and volunteers are so necessary. I know the envy feeling too, but you know it will feel great to get back out there now that you’ve been on both sides.

  • Dana

    I volunteered at the half last year. All-around, it was a great time, but if you think a few “bad egg runners” were difficult, try stopping a tourists and snooty UWSers that they can’t just walk across the race course to get to the Reservoir because they feel like it.

    Great post. Hope your injury heals quickly!

    • Dana

      Wow, my grammar was terrible in that post. Sorry! I guess you get the idea!

  • http://marathonmaiden.wordpress.com/ marathonmaiden

    i’ve never volunteered or spectated a race…well i’ve spectated my younger sibs track meets. i don’t think i’d be able to handle it though…at least at first. i’d be too jealous that everyone else is racing hahah!

    as far as etiquette goes…i think people should just be courteous. unfortunately too many people get absorbed in themselves. definitely not a total bad thing as racing is all about the runner but being totally in their own world and ignoring other things / people is not cool. luckily those people, i’ve found, is to be few and far between

  • http://movesnmunchies.wordpress.com movesnmunchies

    thats AWESOME!! ive never volunteered at a race like that! what a neat experience- good for you!

  • http://fitgirlfoodie.wordpress.com Jenny

    I’ve never volunteered before but I’m guessing it must be fun except on my part I’m not a runner so I’m guessing if you are, it must not be so exciting to watch instead of participate :(

  • http://cupcakedynamite.wordpress.com cupcake dynamite

    that’s so FUN. wish I knew!! must have been hard to watch with your achilles, but in time my friend!!

    -courtney

  • http://www.allsizzlenosteak.blogspot.com Heather (All Sizzle No Steak)

    That is awesome that you volunteered your time. And as for those rude people, karma has a way of working things out :) .

  • http://yourdailygrace.wordpress.com yourdailygrace

    My running buddy, a.k.a. my mom’s best friend, ran the race this weekend! I haven’t volunteered for a race but would love to sometime to see what it is like and cheer people on! I listen to rules except the whole no headphone thing because I might die without them…and I’m clearly not out to set any records besides personal ones.

  • http://whatkateiscooking.wordpress.com whatkateiscooking

    I would love to volunteer at a race so I could watch it happen! I never really stick around when I’m done at races, but I love watching them :)

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