Staging Area and Start

Daily Tip #13 - Wednesday, October 21

There's nothing in the world like the staging area and start of the ING New York City Marathon. To ensure that your experience goes smoothly, follow these tips.

Plan Ahead
* Pack your bag carefully on Saturday, so you can wake up on Sunday knowing that you have everything you need. The clear bag that you received at the expo is the only bag you'll be able to check at the UPS trucks on Staten Island.
* Be prepared for cold, damp conditions. Many runners bring a newspaper (to read or sit on) and a plastic bag (to sit on or wear). Extra clothes that you place in bins in the staging area (before you enter your corral) will be recycled or donated to charity.

Arrive on Time
* If you requested official marathon transportation to the start, check your assignment on the registration card you received via e-mail or the Edit Transportation page of your runner profile. Arrive at your assigned bus or ferry location at least 15 minutes early. For more details, check the marathon website.
* If you dont have an assignment and you need one, visit the transportation booth at the expo.

Find Your Place
* The main color of your race number - blue, orange, or green - will direct you to your start village in Fort Wadsworth. All three start villages have the same amenities, including toilets.
* Your race number will indicate your wave-start time (9:40, 10:00, or 10:20 a.m.) and start corral (A through G); check out a sample bib on our website.

Get Comfortable
* The start villages have free breakfast, including Poland Spring® Brand Natural Spring Water, Gatorade Endurance Formula, Dunkin' Donuts coffee, bagels, and PowerBar snacks.
* Each start village has live music, group warm-up exercises, and non-sectarian worship services.
* Expect moderate wait times, particularly at the toilets.

Move to Your Corral
* Check your bag at least 90 minutes before your wave-start time. Drop discarded clothing into Wearable Collections bins located throughout the staging area.
* Listen to the announcements to enter your corral at the correct time for your wave start. Once there, relax and soak up the excitement among your fellow runners. Your marathon journey is about to begin!