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A Picture-Perfect Day at the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon

A 2018 New York City Marathon runner

Ask anyone who’s ever done the New York City Marathon and they’ll tell you how the race moved them. Equally, they’ll tell you how much the city and the spectators were responsible for making them feel that way.

Because on Marathon Sunday, the city unites, as spectators, volunteers, and New York Road Runners staff work tirelessly to show runners why New York City, every first Sunday in November, is the best place in the world.

And on Sunday, November 4, more than 50,000 marathoners were challenged, pushed, rewarded, and ultimately moved by the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon.

It dazzled you.

It was a picturesque fall day in New York City, with the sun sparkling, the leaves in full autumn color, and thousands of runners ready to hit the course.

These perfect conditions inspired epic performances from the professional athlete fields, with Mary Keitany of Kenya winning her fourth TCS New York City Marathon title in 2:22:48, the second-fastest women’s time in event history. On the men’s side, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia ran 2:05:59 to win—the second-fastest time in men’s event history—as he made a decisive move for the lead in Central Park.

Daniel Romanchuk made history in the men’s wheelchair race by not only being the youngest ever winner in the men’s wheelchair division history, but by also being the first American ever to claim the men’s wheelchair division title. Manuela Schär of Switzerland was the only 2017 champion to defend his or her title, as she took home the win in the women’s wheelchair field.

Read more about the pro athlete races.

Mary Keitany, Vivian Cheruiyot, and Shalane Flanagan finished in the top three women's spots in the 2018 New York City Marathon

It supported you.

With the perfect weather came legions of spectators ready to cheer for, dance for, pray for, and support the runners in just about any way they knew.

It led you.

Running the five boroughs for the first time outside of the pro field, legendary marathoner and Team for Kids Ambassador Meb Keflezighi continued his legacy of leading the way for generations of runners—not just in his career, but in today’s race. The 2009 New York City Marathon champion toured the five boroughs today in a more casual 3:10:34, but still made sure to record a negative split between his two halves.

It looked to the future.

In the early hours of the morning, hundreds of students took part in the Rising New York Road Runners Youth Invitational at the TCS New York City Marathon, crossing the marathon finish line before anyone else. The future of the sport was on full display as the young athletes, including Manhattan native Wilfrin Fernandez-Cruz, raced through Central Park to warm up the roadway for marathoners.

It lifted you.

Finishing the TCS New York City Marathon is a moment in the life of a runner they will never forget, and for NYRR staffer, coach, and acclaimed runner Gordon Bakoulis, it meant so much more than just another race. The organization’s Editorial Director returned to the five-borough race for the first time since 2002, when she took part in the first-ever separate start for professional women.

It changed you.

As runners poured across the finish line, many could not contain their emotion and elation at the incredible accomplishment they had just completed.

It commemorated you.

Today’s Marathon was the 27th consecutive running for Michael Capiraso, NYRR President and CEO. It was also the last time sending runners off at the start for Peter Ciaccia, NYRR President, Events and Race Director, of the TCS New York City Marathon, before his retirement.

After the start, Ciaccia moved to the finish area to greet the first-place finishers, and he’ll be there all the way through to greet the very last runner.

This year Ciaccia was joined by NYRR staff and pro athletes to celebrate the amazing final finishers as they crossed the finish line, giving them the welcome to Central Park that they had earned.

Author

NYRR Staff