By Marivir Montebon
New York – The bridges of New York City are the toughest terrain which many, if not all marathoners, regard as the most challenging to hurdle in the 26.2-mile TCS New York Marathon. While running on a steel-like resolve to finish, it’s the bridges that test their endurance.
Molina: The bridges are always the toughest to run on.
The Verrazzano-Narrow Bridge, the first steep bridge to hurdle in the TCS NYC Marathon (FB photo grab)
“The bridges are always the toughest to run on,” said Bel Molina, Filipino American marathoner who just finished her ninth run this year, along with some 60,000 marathoners from all over the world. There were over 100 Filipino marathoners recorded this year.
“The bridges of New York made me crazy nervous. It was such a test of endurance,” recalled marathoner Petite Abella who ran the NY marathon in 2024 and dedicated it to her late sister marathoner Amay.
Abella emotional at the finish line on the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon: Mabuang ko sa bridges of New York (the bridges of New York made me crazy nervous.)
The steep incline, the absence of cheerers, and the gusty winds make up for the difficulty. The first bridge is the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which demands instant stamina at the start of the race. It’s a 150 feet uphill climb on the first mile and quick descent.
The marathoners go along the uphill route on Queensboro Bridge, Willis Avenue Bridge, and the Last Damn Bridge or Madison Avenue Bridge, pushing off fatigue and enduring the silence on these bridges.
“I always get emotional on the Verrazzano at the start - when Frank Sinatra's “New York, New York” is sang and this year was extra special because I ran with my siblings and my whole family went to cheer us on,” Molina said.
Molina: Running with siblings this year was special.
On the Damn Last Bridge, a dedication message for my father.
“I cried again at the Last Damn Bridge, thinking of my Tatay, whose memory I dedicated there at the Wall of Memories.”
Molina said she dedicated Mile 23 to her friend Christine Goubet’s sister, Isabelle, who’s fighting for her life. “Christine usually cheers me at the same spot every year, but she couldn’t this time because she was with Isabelle in Europe,” she said.
The Wall of Memories message board on Madison Avenue Bridge is dedicated to marathoners honoring real individuals in their run.
The New York City Marathon is the world’s largest marathon, and the most inclusive. It allows handcycle participants (handicapped athletes) for 1.35 hours at the beginning of the race. It has full media coverage until the last finisher reaches the finish line in Central Park, usually late at night or in the wee hours of the following day.
New York is among the top five city marathon sites of the world, to include Boston, Tokyo, London, and Berlin.
(Photo by RJ Ensalada)
(Photo by RJ Ensalada)
Young: Victory and water tasted like heaven at the finish line.
First-timer Francis Young, 26, finished his longest marathon a little over three hours. Impressive for a NY debut, and for someone jetlagged. California-born and raised in the Philippines, he flew all the way from Cebu to join this year’s marathon.
Young said that the NY Marathon was his biggest accomplishment after all the preparations he made, including various runs in Cebu City.
Was there ever a time you thought of giving up?
“Yes, towards the end! I thought I was near the finish line but realized I wasn’t. So, I sprinted. And I ended up walking towards the end. But it was so much fun,” he laughed. His mind-and-body strategy worked.
Two days before the marathon, Young joined the carbo-loading reception tendered by New York-based Filipino runners, organizations, and the Philippine Consulate General of New York. It’s a heartwarming send-off especially for first timers in NYC.
Young: Offering community support through the carbo-loading event was amazing to me.
Organizer-marathoner Florian Cabuyao often reminded the runners to “start slow and finish strong” to endure the course.
Young appreciated the carbo-loading reception which made him immediately feel a sense of Filipino community in NYC.
Sweet victory at the finish line
“At the finish line, it’s always emotional for me – a mix of pride that I made it; relief, tapos na; exhaustion, and gratitude to the people I thought of all the miles I put in,” enthused Molina.
“Yes, lami jud (very sweet) ang feeling. I drank water and it tastes like heaven!” said Young who couldn’t move his legs a few minutes after his run.
Will you still run the next marathon?
Yes, said Molina. “There is a spiritual energy to it for me.”
Media producer Monette Rivera said yes without batting an eyelash. “I do it every year. It’s my kind of pilgrimage,” she said. #
