We’re In New York. My husband Stephen Moon had been training to run his first marathon after recovering from two serious, life-threatening cycling injuries, most recently in April 2024. At the age of 68 he is in a 0.01 percentile of men in his age group who run a marathon. We had no idea whether he could actually achieve it; he had run 18 miles in one session but never 26. His coach was confident though and despite some pre-race anxiety Stephen was in great spirits.
Stephen had to get to Staten Island early in the morning and got up even before the alarm which had been set for 5.45am. The photo above was taken from my cosy vantage point of the hotel bed.
Here are a selection of images I shot during the day that illustrate some of my encounters with the New York Marathon event.
Above, I0am: was getting a leisurely coffee on Ludlow Street. Some women were carrying home-made signs to support their marathon-running friends or family.
Stephen was in Wave 5 which meant his startIng slot was at 11.30 am. I had researched good viewing spots online and worked out that if I got to 4th Avenue and Flatbush in Brooklyn for the 8 mile mark by 12.30pm and hung around there was a chance I could spot him. I got a bit stressed and claustrophobic as there was a total blockage trying to exit the subway station in Brooklyn. The crowd’s frustration was audible and palpable and I felt an undercurrent of volatility reminiscent of the Argentinian film Wild Tales where things can spin out of control into violence in a split second.
Once I emerged it was a relief to see the blue skies. Photo headshots on sticks were de rigueur. I think the woman featured in the photo below was called Jenna – or more accurately “Jenna! Jenna! Jenna!”
Below, some more images from the Brooklyn mile 8 cheering zone:
Above, I was standing near a New York punk rock band Steel Wolf who were playing live and simultaneously cheering on runners. I was enjoying the sound and energy which apparently draws on their Lithuanian roots.
I had a New York Road Runners app on my phone which supposedly would enable me to track Stephen; however in the morning it wasn’t connecting properly so I didn’t know if he’d already run past me or when to expect him. Nevertheless my own time estimations were correct and sure enough I spotted Stephen running towards me and I was even on the correct side of the road!
I decided to head back to the hotel for a break and spontaneously stopped off at the Russ & Daughters Cafe on Orchard Street where I was delighted to find a bar stool available. I ordered a fenugreek Bloody Mary to accompany my sympathetic carb loading (an important nutrition strategy used by endurance athletes to improve their performance on race day) which included their delicious latkes:
Back at the hotel I spotted copies of the local daily paper, The New York Post, whose cover shows the main contenders competing for the finish line, marathon-style. The marathon was taking place just two days before NYC Mayoral election.
We had purchased a ticket for a seat at the East Grandstand at West 62nd in Central Park, close to the finishing line and I arrived there late afternoon.
Above, some spectators at the Grandstand. Once again supporters held portraits of runners on sticks. I loved the surreal quality of extra large face which appeared to be smiling directly at me.
My app was now working plus I was also tracking Stephen on his Garmin so I could tell when he was close to the finish line. When I finally saw him and started screaming his name which must have cut through the crowd as he saw me and waved!
We had arranged to meet near a family reunion spot; after completing the marathon you have to walk roughly 20 blocks to exit the park and meet your partners which seemed a trifle sadistic to me.
Below – my hero! He did it in 5hrs 38minutes and raised £6,200 for Sir Chris Hoy’s Charity Tour de 4.
The following day we went back to Central Park and Stephen got his medal engraved. There was a lovely atmosphere with passers by coming up to congratulate him:
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