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Rockin', Rollin' at the 2008 ING New York City Marathon

Well that was fast. It's barely 12:30 p.m. and the elite runners in the 2008 ING New York City Marathon are already finished, leaving the 26.2 mile course to the 38,000 or so slowpokes who don't enjoy the benefit of an early start time. We were up sort of early this morning due to the time change and wandered over to Greenpoint to check out some of the wheelchair athletes, who are among the first on the course. Rock bands were setting up on Bedford Avenue (Runnin' With the Devil is a particularly popular song on this stretch) and volunteers were pouring water and Gatorade into little cups in preparation for the onslaught of runners that are now chugging by. If you've never seen the marathon in person before, you might find the excitement surrounding it a little perplexing. After all, it's just a bunch of skinny people wearing spandex and looking miserable. But once you join the crowds that line the streets and cheer on a seemingly endless flow of amateur athletes - each with their own reasons for running - it's impossible to deny the raw, emotional power of this most ancient of sporting pastimes. You might even be inspired to sign up for next year's marathon. We'll get right on that, after lunch.

[Photo: Victor Ozols]

Related Stories:
· ING New York City Marathon [Official Site]
· Jaunted's Alternative Guide to the NYC Marathon [Jaunted]