As the Chicago Marathon now has come to an end, viewers await for the New Yorkers to step in. The New York Marathon, considered the biggest in the world, is all set to welcome more than 50,000 runners again as they start their journey to achieve their goals of fitness or glory. New York is definitely the best place to do so. This is because the marathon is special and unique, comparable to no other.

The New York Marathon has its own set of traditions, which makes it different. As the race is part of New Yorker culture, most of its traditions pertain mostly to the city itself, making it special. But the popularity of these has touched worldwide heights. Without them, there’s no New York marathon.

Fred Lebow Statue Moves

New York has numerous statues of people who have contributed to the world through their achievements in numerous fields. One of these statues belongs to Fred Lebow, the man who created the New York marathon. His statue sits in Central Park, a prime location in NYC. However, in a unique tradition for the race, it moves just once a year to a separate location.

The life-size bronze statue is moved from its normal place to the finish line of the race so that it’s creator could witness it happening. This happens every year during the New York marathon. Thus, the statue is named ‘Forever at the finish line’. Every year, the people who complete the marathon are greeted by a man who looks at his watch.

Blue line ceremony

The blue line painting is the ceremonial beginning of the painting of the 26.2-mile strip. Every year before the race, city officials come and draw a line with blue paint on the road, which helps set the tone of the race. It is a kind of homage to the city workers who will paint the line across the city to guide the runners throughout the course.

Thus, it is very important as it helps the runners set a tone for the race and don’t have to worry much about the directions that they’re taking. The ceremonial blue line by the officials is painted at the finish line to motivate the runners to cross it. Thus, it is a very important tradition.

First Avenue Frenzy

During the 16th mile of the race, the competitors reach First Avenue, a very popular spot in New York. It is filled with restaurants and bars, which are in turn packed with a huge number of people. Thus, these people cheer the athletes whose bodies slowly start to wear out as they get closer to the finish line.

But the loud cheers of these people create a brilliant atmosphere for the athletes and motivate them, giving them a new lease of life, which is exactly what they need to complete the race. This has become a long tradition for the New York marathon too and has been named the ‘First Avenue Frenzy’.

The Marathon “Shakeout Run”

To prepare the athletes better for the main event, every year, the organisers of the New York marathon have a shakeout race in the same venue. This is basically a 10 to 15 minute jog, which is considered the precursor to the warm-up. Most of the athletes do take part in it.

This is because it helps athletes bring their best performance on rest day so that they can create a great show for the spectators. This year, the shakeout run for the New York marathon has been kept on November 2nd, one day before the actual event.

Howitzer Cannon and “New York, New York”

Amongst all the other things it is famous for, the New York Marathon is also known for the way it begins its race. Four-time champion Bill Rodgers has described it as ‘the most spectacular start in sports’. This is because it is started in a very unique way, unlike any other. Every year, during the start of each of the five waves, a Howitzer canon is fired.

This has been carrying on since the 1970s. As soon as the cannon is fired, runners start their journey as speakers start playing the most NYC song of all time, Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’. The song is very embedded in the culture of the city, which is why it is played in the marathon. Thus, this is the start of an incredible race that has been taking place in the city for years. Hopefully, we get a great race this time out too!