Yonkers Marathon

2019 was my 3d timing running the Yonkers Marathon and 53rd overall marathon. The Team organizing the race this year was awesome. Registration and Bib pick-up were EASY with multiple times to do so. The course layout was more runner friendly this year. Still hilly but its Yonkers! I have never seen so many Police Officers on a course. Every intersection was covered and safe. Thank you for putting on a wonderful race!!

I tore the bib number from my singlet at the finish of this race in frustration. In fairness, Im a pretty easily frustrated person, but I'd really lowered my personal expectations for this years race. Perhaps not in tip-top shape, I just hoped to finish without too much effort. That proved quite impossible. I grew up in Yonkers, so perhaps I should have realized what awaited me at Mile 22. The problem is that I'd always driven down Palmer Road, but never actually ran it. Thats by far the worst hill I'd ever experienced in 17 marathons. It makes Heartbreak Hill feel like a speed bump. I was feeling OK; a little hip problem, but on a flat course I would have finished with a smile. After that uphill, being asked to fly downhill was too much. I couldn't extend my stride. I cursed the name of Arnold Palmer, although Im only 40% sure of the accuracy of that reference. Arnold (or maybe Hall of Fame pitcher Jim?) crushed me. So I was more than a little pissed at the end. Why would they have changed the course? The double loop isn't the most interesting but still challenging, and fan support is what it is. It runs past my childhood home twice. I considered ending my Yonkers streak at three. Or just doing the half next time. HOWEVER: This course is beautiful. There are quiet parts beyond the half-marathon. There are charmingly shaded spots along Tibbets Brook Park. There are the students of Sarah Lawrence cheering on the athletes, evoking memories of Wellesley College at the Boston Marathon. Theres enough city in this marathon to make it interesting and not desolate. There are many more spectators than past years. Had I felt better, I would have loved the new finish down Main Street  I had visions of charging down the thoroughfare! I was truly excited to run these streets. (Although I could have done without having to cross two, sometimes four, lanes of traffic to make a left turn on many of these streets. McLean Avenue is not meant for these kinds of turns. Also, someone might consider doing a sweep of Midland Avenue; there were lots of brambles and twigs on which someone could twist an ankle.) This marathon has a special place in my heart. I was dating the woman who would become my wife as she cheered me on in 2011; she was holding our daughter in 2013 and 2014; and this year little Rosie ran holding my hand at Mile 10. I feel like I know every inch of this course, and I sometimes regret depriving Yonkers its due as a rather lovely suburb. Though I now live miles away, this is still my hometown race. It would be sad to think about a fall without spending a weekend with my parents, without seeing my little girl out on the course, without seeing the library at the finish, legs depleted but happy. SO: My message to the organizers: I WANT MY REVENGE ON THIS COURSE. Dont change it back, because Im coming with my A game this time. I WILL break 3:20, and I WILL charge down Main Street at top speed, even if I have to swerve around 99 cent shoppers and errant taxis, even if it means driving up to Bronxville and doing mile repeats up that unforgiving road in the searing heat of summer. No disappointment can keep me from reaching my goal; no poor showing will take away the joy this race has given me. See you in 2016!

This was marathon #7 for me and my first Yonkers. Having done NYC twice and MCM twice I figured why not go small and local for a fall race.For the first timer needing the music and cheers from spectators this is not the run for you. For those who truly enjoy distance running and the solitude it entails this is for you. The few spectators and the support that was out there was some of the most energetic and delightful I have ever seen. I wasn't a huge fan of all the hills but still had a decent race.I was really happy with how simple and low key the race was. Super easy to park near the start and getting out was just as easy. My experience with the folks at NYCRUNS left me wanting to sign up for all of their races. Very pretty and scenic in some parts but most of the run was through the city. The last two downhill miles were total quad killers!