There is a party right in front of my apartment building and 40,000 people were invited. Today is the day of the New York City Marathon. I'll probably get in trouble for not mentioning it was sponsored by ING. Ah well, such is life.
My wife and I have participated in races before, the largest being the Bolder Boulder 10k. For those of you who don't attend races, there are some very specific cultural idiosyncracies. First off, it isn't just people running. There are bands along the raceway playing all types of music. There are vendors at the end of the race giving away free samples of everything from the latest carbohydrate racing goop to ice cream bars to keychains to visors. The world of road races are as commercial as anything else.
My experience with the Bolder Boulder included all these things. Like my experience at Halloween, though, New York City takes things to the logical extreme. While the BB featured belly dancers, garage bands, Elvis impersonators and a mix of music, the NYC Marathon (sponsored by ING) is a slick setup with some incredibly professional bands with back-up singers, choreography and full-stages set up along the route. Checking out the website, in addition to the requisite vendors giving away freebies, there is a full buffet at Tavern on the Green at Central Park for race participants and families.
Please be assured, I do not mean that the Bolder Boulder is in any way a lesser event. Rather, this city seems to have an obsession with being the biggest, brassiest, and boldest of them all. I wouldn't trade either for the world.
Now I have to figure out how to get my car off the one-way street where it is parked so that I can get to my show this afternoon. Does anyone know any way to distract cops who guard the race path?
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