I don't quite get the criticism of the organization and logistics of this marathon. This was marathon #8 for me, and the organization was by far the best I've ever seen, particularly when you're trying to move 46,000 people around a city like New York.

Getting to the start by taking the Staten Island Ferry was fun and inspiring; there were buses at the Ferry landing on Staten Island to take you to the old Fort where the starting line was; there was plenty of food, toilets, entertainment, and information at the start line; given the wave starts (I was in the 2nd of 3 waves) it wasn't nearly the cattle call I expected; the water and Gatorade along the route was fantastic; and even the post-race bag pick-up was easy if somewhat slow.

This is New York, people! You've got the chance to run in the greatest city in the country, maybe the world, and you have literally millions of people out there as spectators! Yes, it's a hard course, yes the bridges are challenging, yes it can get crowded and you may not set a PR, and yes the pavement (especially on the bridges) takes its toll on 54-year old knees. But I found running down Fifth Avenue and then into Central Park to be an incredibly moving and emotional experience, which can't be duplicated elsewhere. The kindness, enthusiasm, and vocal cords of the volunteers and the spectators can't be matched anywhere. My time was not good, and I was in severe pain by the end thanks to the pavement, but I can't wait to sign up and try to get in again!

First time running NYC and there were clearly WAY too many people running it. The course never cleared up it was a constant stop and start or bob and weave around others. The Expo was way too crowded and I wasn't able to move at all there so got my number and pretty much just left rather then spending time there. The spectators were amazing for sure that was the best part for me! the logistics of the finish were awful with the long slow walk right after as well

I was following last years NYC marathon when I discovered that I actually qualified for this year's w/ a 1/2 marathon time I ran in ATL. What a blessing that turned out to be, one of the rare times the event out-performed the hype. From the expo to the actual race to the wonderful crowds, it was greater than I could have imagined. If only I had hit my goal time, but that's the ONLY disappointment with the whole thing! As they said in Ghostbusters, 'I love New York!'

This was my 14th NYC Marathon, the last one being ran in 2002. The improvements made at the start have dramatically reduced the stress for anxious runners. Runners are separated into villages at the SI staging area. This setup opened up space for the 45000+ runners. Port-o-johns were plentiful and clean, with very little wait times. This alone was a significant improvement from the past.The three wave start meant that we did not have to wait as long in corrals and on the bridge as in previous years.One area of concern is that there is really no covered areas for the runners should the weather turn bad. The weather was perfect for 2011, so it was not an issue.
The course is very challenging. Prepare yourself for hills and inclines.
The volunteers at the start, along the course and at the finish were outstanding. A big thank-you to all the volunteers who helped out at the water stations.
The crowds along the course were great. It was interesting to note the crowd energy levels in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx were elevated whereas the enthusiasm of the First Avenue crowds seemed a bit subdued compared to prior years.
One area for improvement is the baggage retrieval. The first wave runners picked up their bags at West 77th street in between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. The area was compact for the 15000 runners in wave 1. Additionally, Columbus Avenue was open to automobile traffic. It was not a pretty site at the intersection of Columbus and W 77th. Marathon instructions should also inform the runners that they will not be able to traverse Central Park to get to the east side of NY. Runners will need to use the subway, which is free of charge to all runners on marathon day.
All in all a great marathon and look forward to the next time I run.

I ran the NYC marathon with a 21 year span I. Last done in 1990 when I was in school. THIS time it was better and I had fun. I wasn't in pain because I trained for it. NYC MARATHON will always be a great and not easy course: marathon, bridges, and temperature changes. From hot to cold, and also this race start at 10 am instead of other races early in the morning which I wish they would start earlier.
1st Ave was amazing people cheering you on that keeps you going and at the end you will see that finish line and say 'WOW I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO FINISH' great race and i like to say THANK YOU TO THOSE VOLUNTEERS FOR BEING OUT THEIR making this race possible till then HAPPY RUNNING!

This was my fourth New York City Marathon and it is still a thrill just to be part of it.

Everything about this race is spectacular. From the start on the Verrazano Bridge, to the course, crowd support and the finish in Central Park.

The course isn't easy. More hills than you might expect. And the streets and bridges of New York are hard on my knees, but I still love this race.

From the moment you set foot in Brooklyn you will be greeted with cheers and encouragement.The crowd support is tremendous for the entire lenght of the course. Things get quiet on the 59th St Bridge, but just wait until you hit First Ave.

It really does feel like the entire city comes out to support the Marathoners.

Yes, it is big. Really big and crowded. Don't expect to come to New York to run a fast time.

Yes, it can be a chore to get to the start and finding you way out of the park after you finish. But this is a small price to pay to take part in one of the world's great sporting events.

So this was my first marathon. I got in because the 3 strikes and your out rule.

First the Pro's - from the moment i stepped into the staten island ferry to the village it was all super organized. Even the death march was an organized. The course was fun and the crowds were for the most part into (except the beginning of 1st ave and hasidic will'burg)

Cons: this race is not meant for Americans, and especially not meant for NY's. There were more announcements in French and Spanish than in English. there were more KM markings than mile markings.

Getting into this race is a nightmare if you're from the NYC area. Best to tell them your from Europe and you will have guaranteed entry. It seems than NYRR lost its touch to keep it a NY race and want the big bucks from rich Europeans.

In short I love the marathon, I hate NYRR.

First, the positives.

The organization of the race for picking up the race number and getting to the start line was impressive. The other positive was that the crowd support was excellent and the bands dotting the course had talent - oh, and I didn't hear Eye of the Tiger once, which is worth something.

And now, what I mainly remember: the negatives.

The course was boring and straight and often not much to look at. I looked forward to the bridges to break up the monotony. I'm originally from NYC, and don't feel this race does it justice. It could have been any large city for most of the race. Then came the exit from the park after the race. The volunteers did their best, they were consistently excellent throughout, but it took close to an hour to shuffle slowly out of the park. The baggage claim trucks were crammed onto a small path with all of the runners, so you were basically waiting in a huge line while people got their bags at the trucks and then found family and friends at the exit. One small exit, for a race with 47000 runners, with no separate, large area for people to meet up, or separate area for baggage pickup. Central Park is big and has many exits, they need to use it better. On the very slow, long exit people's legs were cramping, and folks ended up needing medical assistance who likely would have been fine if they could have kept moving.

I always wanted to run this race because it was once my home city, now I wish I hadn't bothered, it's a waste of a day in an otherwise fantastic place to visit.

The NYC marathon had a lot to offer. The organization was amazing. The city was awesome, and very welcoming. As this is the largest marathon in the world, I was pleasantly surprised at the organization of this huge logistical event. Yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat !

I've run some mid-sized marathons and Boston the last two years. NYC course is definitely worthy of a 5 star rating, the fans do not compare to Boston (think Wellesly and Boston College areas, THEN, Hereford and Boylston... those areas are LOUD and NUTS!!!)For the number out there, I was surprised how somber and tame the crowds were. Don't get me wrong there were some great people out there, but I really think people overrate this race.
Organization at the start is a complete joke. People sitting in corrals an hour and a half before the start, left little room for almost a 900 runners to fit, yet these folks refuse to stand up to make room. Attribute that to the lack of experienced runners and the international folks.

Runners submit their race finish times is a joke...for something this size, it was insane how many people had no business being in the top 5 corrals at the start. Once the ropes were let down and we started to the bridge for the starting line, people in the green wave at corral 17,000 hustled up past folks in the 3000 - 6000 corrals... really??? These folks had no clue what they were doing and were in the way at the beginning... BIG TIME.

IDIOT people leaving gatorade bottles, warm up suits, etc in the start area on the course with no regard for the 15000 other runners behind than would trip, step on and fall on these items left on the course. You couldn't see it because as you ran there were so many folks around you. You just stepped on it... completely STUPID people!!

This race sucks because of the runners who fail to acknowledge those around them and the safety involved. You will NEVER see something like this at a Boston, because you have experienced runners who have sacrified so much, that they know what others are feeling and there is much more of a conscience effort to ensure ALL have a good experience.

Otherwise, the organizers and volunteers are the tops and they do a good job in all other areas. Just need better control of some idiots out there. Keep those cattle in their corrals and monitored until the gun goes off to make sure it's safe for all.