Keeping Pace: A Step-by-Step Guide to 2011 NYC Marathon

The 2011 ING New York City Marathon this year is on Sunday, November 6. The course is a 26.2-mile block party through the world’s most diverse city and has been a model for big-city marathons around the world.

Where it starts: The race starts at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Many of the runners will be taking specially charted buses to the location from various points in the city

Where it ends: The race ends inside of Central Park, near 67th Street and Central Park West.

What time it starts: 8:30am

Who starts when: There will be three "wave starts," at 30-minute intervals. Runners are assigned to starts and corrals according to the projected finish time (or pace per mile) provided on the marathon application. Each runner’s finish time will be their net time—that is, based on when they cross the start line:

• 8:30am, The wheelchair division
• 8:45am, The Footlocker 5-Borough Challenge starts
• 8:55am, All of those in the handcycle category and select athletes with disabilities
• 9:10am, Professional women
• 9:40am, The First Wave, which includes professional men; sub-elite men and women; and local competitive men and women
• 10:10, The Second Wave (based upon average run times)
• 10:40am, The Third Wave (based upon average run times)

Other important facts about the race:

• Natural Spring Water will be available at the start and at official fluid stations every mile beginning at mile 3.

• The Poland Spring® Hydration Zone—including water stations, sponges, and music—will be located at mile 17 on First Avenue.

• At the PowerBar Gel Energy Zone at mile 18, assorted flavored PowerBar Energy Gels will help runners hurdle “the wall” and energize them to the finish. This year’s flavors will be: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Banana, Raspberry Cream, Double Latte, and Tangerine.

• Fruit will be available at the fluid stations at miles 20–23.

• Portable toilets (including wheelchair-accessible ones) will be located every mile beginning at mile 3.

• Runners can be disqualified if found urinating outside, along the route.

• More than 130 bands along the course will motivate and entertain runners and spectators alike.

• ING and other sponsors will host cheering zones along the course for spectators to root for the marathoners. Cheering zones will feature spectator amenities such as sign-making supplies, fun giveaways and DJs.

• A special stage at Columbus Circle sponsored by United Airlines will provide inspiration for the final two-tenths of a mile, and there will be live entertainment at the finish line.

• Sweep buses will follow the marathon route at a 61/2-hour marathon pace, roughly 15 minutes per mile, after the 10:40 a.m. start. These buses will transport any entrant who wishes to drop out to the post-finish area.

• After the sweep buses pass by, the city streets will reopen to traffic. Cross-street protection, medical assistance, aid stations, and other services will no longer be available. Runners on the course should move onto the sidewalks. The official ending time of the race is 7:00 p.m.

Marathon route maps are attached, including one that highlights the route through Central Brooklyn.

Feel free to join us Central Brooklynites to cheer on the runners, as they race to the finish line.