If you are used to running the NYC Marathon, this is not that. We started 15 minutes late. There are few spectators and we shared the park with the horse-drawn carriages, walkers, half-marathoners,bicyclists, dog-walkers, and tourists. The course becomes a bit tedious after going through the finish line 5 times and an additional 6th time to finally finish the race. The weather was good. Sometimes the water cups were hardly filled...just enough for a gulp!
However it was an overall good experience and I will probably be here again next year. Nice cap, apples,hot chocolate and bagels. The berries have seen better days. The volunteers and staff were energetic, friendly, and some NYRR people participated in the race. This race, unlike the NYC Marathon is a 'local, hometown race.' It will soon grow as the word spreads..........

What a fantastic marathon in Central Park. It was very well organized and the race tech hoodie and finisher knit hat at the end are great. Would definitely do it again. Half marathon started 30 minutes earlier to avoid crowding at the start. Looking forward to next year's race.

Having the Central Park Marathon fall on the last Sunday in February was too tempting not to pass up. I often look for a late February marathon as a long run for my Boston Marathon prep. Thank you NYCRUN for breaking my chain of the questionable Hyannis Marathon held on the same day.

I loved this Central Park race. Better than I expected...but a bit loopy with 5.5 laps around Central Park. Not so bad on loops 1-4 but some concentration was required for loop 5. As an inangural race, here are some notes intended to inform the organizers and those who will consider running next year:

1. The 8:30 am start was terrific. Enough time to enjoy the City the night before and sleep in a bit before the start.

2. The instructions for the start line location required insider Park knowledge. As an out of towner without my decoder ring, I used way too much energy trying to find the start line. I ran over 20 blocks back and forth. it made sense once I found it. Asking people for directions sent me to a different Half marathon start line. Ugh!

3. Please add an American Flag to the singing of our National Anthem. Only had trees to salute to.

4. I liked the low key start with 300+ runners. Very friendly.

5. Each loop had 3 hills...so x5 loops was 15 hills in total. Tougher on loop 4-5 so I see why the RD decided to skip the Harlem Hills. But 4 loops with the Harlem Hills would be nearly the same 20 hills.

6. The Park gets its Sunday invasion of casual runners/walkers as the race proceeds. Its dodge'em time. They clog the race lanes but hey, it made the race interesting. I was very motivated by all the triathlon bikers whizzing by.

7. If the racers had a front and back bib#, I could better identify the racers from the leisure runner. Very much needed as I raced the last 6.2 miles.

8. The finish line was spartan but perfect. Just give me my medal and hot chocolate. Race over.

9. So glad the weather was perfect for racing but Central Park is perfect in any weather.

10. Be aware its a no frills (no porta potties) race. Like getting a bunch of people who love running together on a Sunday morning. The Boat House public bathrooms seemed to fit people's needs. But not useful if the ambition is to grow the race.

I finished 30 minutes faster than my target pace. Likely because the weather was great and the downhill sections gave me wings. As such, I'll be back next year. Bravo for pulling this race off.

As a frequent runner in Central Park, I was really looking forward to doing this marathon. Although it bypasses Harlem Hills, there's still Cat Hill and rolling hills throughout the park that make it challenging.It's a 5-mile loop that you do 5 times plus a stretch through the 72nd St transverse for the finish (4 water stops in the loop). For an inaugural race, I think the organizers did a great job planning everything out. The only issue, which wasn't even major, was that there was a huge line in the running store for packet pick-up. Otherwise, it was a pleasant experience with the race starting on-time and race results posted by the evening. This is a less expensive option for a marathon in nyc and nice because it's less crowded. Following the race, they had bagels, strawberries, apples, hot chocolate, gatorade, and water.The medals are pretty nice too :) And finishers were also given knit caps. Instead of the typical t-shirt, the race shirt was a long-sleeve hoodie shirt. I would totally do this one again!