What Wave Are You In?
As the countdown begins, the NYRR are releasing more and more information regarding the start assignments. The wave assignments are now posted if you sign in to your runner profile (the info is not in the entrant database).
I've been assigned to Wave 3 which is the last wave. The start time is 10:20am. While I'm not 100% happy when I learnt about this (they take the last marathon timing instead of projected time when assigning), I decided to put my trust in the NYRR to ensure that regardless of which start one is assigned, the runners will be spaced out sufficiently enough to ensure a smooth running. Afterall, the difference in timing between Wave 2 and 3 are just 20 minutes. The plus side is that Wave 3 runners will have the shortest distance to cover. We will exit to the West 77th Street. We can then choose to wait for our posse to finish before taking the 1 train at the 79th St & Broadway to the hotel for a shower. What will ultimately count on race day after training is the ability to run according to pace. Obviously if the wave starts allow the runners to be spaced out, it can only help all the runners. There were some feedback that the Boston Marathon organizers implemented this process quite well.
If you take a look at the chart below, Wave 3 will put me in the largest range of bib numbers, from 37000 to 54999. They're just numbers but I can't help to be in awe of the sheer size of the number. In local races, my bib numbers are nearly always below the 100 range.
Then comes the question of which start line - Orange (designated Grete Waitz Village), Blue (Alberto Salazar Village) or Green (Tegla Loroupe Village). From the layout map of the Fort Wadsworth holding area, the Orange and Blue starts will run on the upper deck of the Verrazano, while the Green runners will hit the lower deck. Upper deck accords a more spectacular view but the runners have to contend with a steeper start. Runners on the lower deck will encounter a lesser climb, poorer view and are advised to stay away from the sides to avoid being peed on from above! It also appears that toilets are in abundance. Runners for the Orange and Blue starts also need to walk less from the shuttle drop off and UPS trucks.
Click to enlarge
Finally within each start are the corrals - A to F - from the fastest to the slowest. I suspect runners will be arranged according to their estimated finishing times. Depending on how the corral is segregated, I believe one can still seek out the correct pace group. I'll need to keep a look out for the orange balloon for the ING pacers. Specific corral assignment and bib numbers are still not released and I suspect will only be published with the race pack pickup postcard.
NB. I consulted with several forums and it appears that Wave 3 is the preferred section as you don't have to be at Staten Island so early and also enjoy the shorter walk to the exit at Central Park West.
I've been assigned to Wave 3 which is the last wave. The start time is 10:20am. While I'm not 100% happy when I learnt about this (they take the last marathon timing instead of projected time when assigning), I decided to put my trust in the NYRR to ensure that regardless of which start one is assigned, the runners will be spaced out sufficiently enough to ensure a smooth running. Afterall, the difference in timing between Wave 2 and 3 are just 20 minutes. The plus side is that Wave 3 runners will have the shortest distance to cover. We will exit to the West 77th Street. We can then choose to wait for our posse to finish before taking the 1 train at the 79th St & Broadway to the hotel for a shower. What will ultimately count on race day after training is the ability to run according to pace. Obviously if the wave starts allow the runners to be spaced out, it can only help all the runners. There were some feedback that the Boston Marathon organizers implemented this process quite well.
If you take a look at the chart below, Wave 3 will put me in the largest range of bib numbers, from 37000 to 54999. They're just numbers but I can't help to be in awe of the sheer size of the number. In local races, my bib numbers are nearly always below the 100 range.
Then comes the question of which start line - Orange (designated Grete Waitz Village), Blue (Alberto Salazar Village) or Green (Tegla Loroupe Village). From the layout map of the Fort Wadsworth holding area, the Orange and Blue starts will run on the upper deck of the Verrazano, while the Green runners will hit the lower deck. Upper deck accords a more spectacular view but the runners have to contend with a steeper start. Runners on the lower deck will encounter a lesser climb, poorer view and are advised to stay away from the sides to avoid being peed on from above! It also appears that toilets are in abundance. Runners for the Orange and Blue starts also need to walk less from the shuttle drop off and UPS trucks.
Click to enlarge
Finally within each start are the corrals - A to F - from the fastest to the slowest. I suspect runners will be arranged according to their estimated finishing times. Depending on how the corral is segregated, I believe one can still seek out the correct pace group. I'll need to keep a look out for the orange balloon for the ING pacers. Specific corral assignment and bib numbers are still not released and I suspect will only be published with the race pack pickup postcard.
NB. I consulted with several forums and it appears that Wave 3 is the preferred section as you don't have to be at Staten Island so early and also enjoy the shorter walk to the exit at Central Park West.
Labels: Starting Process, Wave
posted by Jamie Pang at
3:31 PM
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