I Hate The New York City Marathon

West Side Rag • October 31, 2026 • sports

Key Points:

The author expresses strong dislike for the NYC Marathon, citing the inconvenience it causes local residents near the finish line on the Upper West Side.
Despite being an avid runner, the author has no interest in participating in the marathon due to its early start, location in Staten Island, and lengthy waiting times in cold conditions.
The author questions the glorification of completing a marathon as a symbol of physical fitness, noting that many runners endure pain and injury to finish the race.
The marathon medal is described as a "participation trophy" that comes with physical discomfort, challenging the idea that it is a meaningful reward.
Ultimately, the author prefers to avoid the event altogether and is more concerned with navigating the neighborhood during the marathon than joining in the race.