"At a marathon finish line — especially this marathon finish line — you see the best of humanity."

Every year on the first Sunday of November, more than 50,000 runners, 10,000 volunteers, and two million spectators will descend on the five boroughs for one reason: the TCS New York City Marathon.

This episode is your unofficial guide to the iconic 26.2-mile race. Two and a half jam-packed hours of New York City Marathon-related information.

And this episode isn’t just for the marathoners: We have tips for spectators, a breakdown of how to get into the race in the future, and general advice for marathon-day fueling and hydrating.

As for my New York City Marathon love affair: This race is my Super Bowl, my Christmas, my birthday, Valentine’s Day, my favorite day of the year. It was the first marathon I ever watched, back in 2008, when I went out to cheer for a coworker who was running the race. (Thanks for the inspiration, Therese!) I’ve run it three times — in 2013, 2014, and 2016 — and volunteered once, in 2015, at a fluid station in Brooklyn. In 2017, I cheered on “First and Fifth,” and in 2018, at three weeks postpartum, going to the New York City Marathon was my first outing since having a baby. I sat in the grandstands as Shalane Flanagan finished third, and pumped in a “fancy” (you know, the nice kind!) finish line porta potty. Then, in 2019, I got the best seat in the house for the first time: New York City Marathon finish line announcer.

After announcing at the finish and at the Finish Line After Dark in 2019, 2021, and 2022, last year I made my NYC TV debut. I joined the broadcast talent team as a reporter on the international feed, and was featured on the WABC7 local broadcast.

This year: They're putting me on TV again! In addition to hosting two live shows during New York City Marathon weekend, on race day I'll be part of the ESPN2 and WABC7 broadcasts as a finish line reporter, and I'll return to the finish line for the 3–5 PM broadcast on ABC.

Let’s have some fun!

SPONSORS: 

• goodr: Click here and use code ALI for $5 off your next order.
• UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), including the new Mocha + Caffeine gel and the Chocolate gel. (My dream!) Then, use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.

In this episode:

• TCS New York City Marathon race director Ted Metellus talks about why he’s excited for this year’s TCS New York City Marathon (5:15)
• Pre-race questions: how to get in, how to handle feeling overwhelmed by logistics, and how to watch this year’s race (28:30)
• What you need to know about getting to the start line in Staten Island, and what to do once you’re there (36:30)
• What to know about the New York City Marathon course (59:20)
• New York City Marathon course strategy (and a pep talk!) with Peloton instructor and 2:32 marathoner Becs Gentry (1:12:40)
• Welcome to the New York City Marathon finish line — and what happens once you cross it (1:54:00)
• What to know about spectating at the New York City Marathon (1:59:00)
• You did it! Now what? (2:05:00)

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