#266: We Just Ran The NYC Marathon - Robust Race Recap & Advice With Mr. Rodgers

It is now again the biggest marathon in the WORLD with more than 59,000 finishing the New York City Marathon this past Sunday! Wow. It was my first time running this race, my 40th marathon overall and in state #37. For this mega race recap, I got help from my college friend Michael Rodgers who just ran his 12th NYC Marathon and worked for almost a decade for the New York Road Runners that are in charge of this epic event.

(00:28) We break down the amazing numbers of the NYC Marathon, like the average finish time - which I was a little slower than and Michael was faster. In previous years, he's also paced pro athletes and celebrities like Kevin Hart at this event. (9:20) Our connection goes back 30 years ago, when we attended Elon College together - where he was on the XC team. (12:40) The two of us talk about our food, sleep, fitness, prep on race week leading up to this world major - some advice for you. It involves sushi, an earlier bedtime, NYC pizza, and the cause I ran for.

(17:50) Getting TO the start of the NYC marathon...is a marathon challenge in itself! Learn about the bus then ferry to Staten Island then bus again...then waiting for several hours before being at the start line. Michael started his 26.2 miles a few hours before me.

(25:29) And the crowds were incredible while running through all 5 burroughs of New York City! It's a wall of sound at times. We also discuss some of the best signs we saw from spectators. But I did not follow Michael's pre-race advice to not high five people and use up energy. I got caught up in the moment - because I wanted to enjoy my first in NYC - and I paid for it later. Learn how my last 10 miles were slower than those first 16. 

(40:00) And now you get the Michael Rodgers school of the NYC Marathon, as he breaks down - mile by mile - the course! There are hills and bridges and turns and 60+ blocks straight...from Brooklyn to Queens to Harlem to the Bronx to Manhattan into the "victory lap" of Central Park - where God helped me finally connect with a younger charity teammate and run the last couple miles together for a stronger finish!

(51:10) How do I get in to the New York City Marathon? There are lots of ways that Michael discusses, but one of the best (which I did) is to be a charity runner! It unlocks the power of running even more...helping causes we care about. (59:15) And we close out our race recap and chat with some hot seat questions for my friend - bathroom stops during the NYC Marathon, favorite burrough to run through, drink/food post-marathon, the medal, and recovery.

(1:08:35) After giving some shoutouts, I give some numbers on elite runners in this 2025 edition of NYC and celebrity runners, including the Amazing Race host that I met the day before he ran his first ever marathon. I also cover quick highlights of my time before/after the race, with an amazing Michael Jackson Broadway show...and a Knicks game...closing out the episode in prayer.

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On your journeys of fitness and faith, we are helping you stay motivated to be stronger physically and spiritually on the new RUN THE RACE podcast. Host Jason Dennis - veteran WTVM news anchor, marathon runner and missionary, will talk to experts and people with inspiring stories as we dig deeper into the mind, body and soul.