Marathon Snapshots

Centurion PT runs the NYC Marathon

Marathon day is a yearly highlight for most New Yorkers, a day often accompanied by an unusual surge in kindness and enthusiasm for neighbors and strangers alike. Several of Centurion’s clinicians have participated in this iconic event, and were asked to reflect upon their experiences.

When you reach the finish line of the NYC marathon, it is the best feeling in the world.

Aubin Sullivan:

When you reach the finish line of the NYC marathon, it is the best feeling in the world. You are elated and shocked you have just completed 26.2 miles, and you survived to tell the tale.

Then, you get to walk another 2 miles just to get to your post race bag with your warm clothes and post-race treats. However, the first year I did the NYC marathon, I decided to not have a post race bag at the finish because my apartment is a few blocks from the finish line. I thought, “Oh I will just walk home!”

So my post-race cool down (or freeze) walk ended up being more like 3-4 miles. They would not let me exit Central park, and I just kept walking, like a zombie, until I found an opening and I was able to escape the park! Now I just needed to get back down towards the bottom of the park, and home. Usually getting a cab would be easy. But there were no cabs anywhere. This was way before all of the Lyfts, and Ubers (I am dating myself). So again, my trek continued and I trudged down CPW, feeling less elated and more in survival mode. Needless to say, I made it.

That is only one small tale I lived to tell. There are many more. I ended up doing 8 more marathons, and I always had a post-race bag taken to the finish line after that.

Deanie Barth

My first NYC marathon was in 1999. The route was well populated by spectators around Central Park and 1st Avenue, but the remainder was very quiet, leaving the runners to rely on their own personal mantras to get through the tough parts. My second NYC marathon was in 2001 and was the first large public event held in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11. I’ll never forget waiting for the race to start. It was a very emotional morning with thousands of participants running in honor of those they had lost on that horrible day. The tension was palpable as we waited to cross the Verrazano Narrows bridge, we all felt vulnerable for another terrorist attack and I knew my mother was watching on TV with baited breath. But the gun went off and the excitement and enthusiasm escalated as we ran past first responders with linked arms.

I anticipated a very quiet course with spectators afraid to come out, feeling the same vulnerability I felt waiting to cross the bridge. I did not expect the droves of New Yorkers and the incredible support that lined the entire route, even on the most desolate spots on the course. It turned what started out as a somber event into one of the most memorable and fondest days of my life. Since that amazing race day, spectators continue to line the course offering cheers, support, helping hands, nutrition and endless encouragement.The NYC marathon brings out the absolute best of New York and even though I haven’t run a marathon in a while, it continues to be one of my favorite days of the year.

Joanna Binney

I remember the feeling of complete overwhelm when my very first lottery attempt at the NYC marathon was successful in 2022. Researching and training for the marathon became my entire personality last summer.

What I expected:

• A slog through unknown parts of Brooklyn until finally reaching familiar territory
• Exhilarating views from all of the bridges
• A triumphant final few miles through my familiar Central Park route

What I experienced:

• Our bus driver got lost on the way to the start line, and we ended up driving over the Brooklyn Bridge as the sun was rising. It was so beautiful – from there, the day felt like watching a movie about me running this race.
• The most joyous, uplifting crowd energy carrying me nearly the entire way through all 12 miles in Brooklyn – so encouraging I went out a bit faster than planned.
• Crossing the bridges felt like climbing mountains — in silence, as there’s no space for spectators. I forgot to enjoy the views.
• Reaching the final few miles, I was so focused on just finishing that I couldn’t even pay attention to the (very impressive) crowds cheering us on. A video a friend captured along this stretch shows that while my gait had deteriorated to a bedraggled shuffle, my smile was still strong.

I feel extremely lucky to have had the time and support to make it to the finish line successfully, and–most importantly–to achieve my secret goal, BEATING ASHTON KUTCHER’s time (he also ran that year). I wholeheartedly enjoyed spectating this year, but honestly can’t wait to run it again next year!