I decided sometime in the 1990's that I wanted to run the NY Marathon. Finally got around to applying by lottery 6 years ago. I "lost" the lottery 3 times running, and so gained guaranteed entry that way... just in time for me to begin fertility treatments in a last-ditch effort to have a baby. Deferral of NY marathon #1. Then, the next year: success! Baby born in August. Deferral #2! So, in 2009 I was determined to run in NY - and this was my first marathon. Trained pretty hard and felt just OK before the race. But I was so happy to be there and everything was aligned perfectly for me to have the most enjoyable run of my life - nothing about the experience disappointed me. The supporters were #1, with all of the awesome bands playing, kids high-fiving (even with the H1N1 hysteria!), and amazing volunteers. I loved every moment, with maybe the exception of my feet starting to "claw" around mile 23. I think I probably flew the last mile or so around the bottom of the park. Finished in 4:48 - by no means fast, but I was happy. Welcomed back to my hotel by my sleeping baby, and my husband with a cold beer in one hand and box of really cheap greasy donuts in the other - not to mention a hot bath waiting for me. Would love to do it again this year, but it's back to the lottery for me!

This one is all that.

A must-do race. Not a PR course, but an amazing way to see NYC!

This marathon was the toughest one of all I have done. First of all I started playing veteran soccer again, so the build up included a pulled hamstring and the start of an abductor injury. I think my training was short, but there's no way I would miss New York.

We went over with a group of 50 from Xerox, and we did the whole New York Experience. Unfortunately I picked up a tummy bug before leaving. Started out very well at halfway heading for 3:30, but struggle in the middle quarter when I started feeling ill. Ended up at 4:07, but it was worth it.

The fans kept me going; this is what makes this marathon the best. Unbelievable, they make sure you finish no matter how tough it is. Everyone is calling out your name as if they were long lost friends. I will never forget the Bronx, and the atmosphere and music were the best ever. And then coming up Fifth Avenue at the end....

I definitely want to do this again. I'll get my training better next time. I fell in love with New York.

This was my first marathon and I was lucky to get in via the lottery; my aunt has had to wait three years in order to do so. Basically, every other marathon pales in comparison to the NYC. The crowds were amazing, and running through the different ethnic parts of the city and experiencing their flavor was excellent. The expo was helpful and the bag drop-off prior to the race was both safe and efficient. If I weren't trying to do 50 marathons, I would try to do this one EVERY year.

I trained hard in a wee town called Dundee in Scotland. (I'm a married mum of three.) I thought about 9/11, and how awful it was. i wanted to show solidarity with the American nation, and flew across the ocean to run this race. At 42, it was my first marathon - a big deal for me. I came across alone, met lovely people, ran my wee heart out, and felt honored to have been able to do it. When I'm lying in my bed, as an old woman, it will rank up there as one of the best things I have ever done on this earth.

Excellent organization. I'm impressed with how they manage all of the resources and people.

Amazing quantity of spectators, and they give support along the entire course.

It's the best event I have run.

This was my first time at NYC. The pre-race book said it best: "A once in a lifetime experience."

I am glad that I did it, but see no need to ever do it again. I do not rank this among the top 20 marathons that I have done.

The good: The course was easier than all of the pre-race discussion. The spectators, especially in Brooklyn and Manhattan, were terrific! They are the only reason to run this race. The international attendance was really neat - far more diverse than Boston.

The negatives have documented by several others: Pre-race transportation and waiting times, crowded everything, etc. The worst and most unexpected was the post-finish line logistics, which were absolutely horrible. To be unable to sit down for a few minutes in the midst of Central Park is unbelievable.

If you are going to do NYC, follow the advice in some previous comments: Ignore the race's directions about getting to the start. Use your own sense of time and common sense. I wish that I had.

Hello!!!! That was my first marathon, and running up 5th Ave, I swore I wouldn't run again (because my feet were getting hot and sore), but the pain faded and all changed when I made it to the park.

I loved this experience so much, and these days I am going around with a permanent smile.

And so everything was fantastic except for my feet.
The crowds were amazing - right down on top of you shouting, cheering and carrying you each and every step (except near Williamsburg).

One thing is the long walk to "get out"... hmmm! For me it was fine, as I was staying at East 83rd St., and my bag was in the fifth-last UPS truck, so I had to walk up the whole way, but it certainly would have helped if participants, who had collected their bags, would have been allowed to exit sideways into the park a little earlier. And this would free up the road for the others and perhaps allow a slightly faster walking pace. With that said, the helpers on the way out were fantastic (as was everyone who was involved). Where do you get your energy?!?!

And the post-race bag - nice, but perhaps not enough. Maybe a second PowerBar and another bottle of water or Gatorade would help.

So, well done, New York! I hope you will let me in again next year and the year after and the year after!!!!! I certainly will love coming back for this again in the future - all of the way over from Ireland. Until then, bye, bye!!!

This was my seventh marathon, and there is no greater marathon thrill than New York. Everyone was encouraging and the crowds never ended. I brought my 16-year-old daughter and bought her a bleacher seat on the finish line with friends. Pretty special stuff, because she too is a runner. But only this marathon could make it such a special trip for us to make.