Hello from NYC, it’s the NYC marathon this weekend!
My friends and I live around Mile 18 of the route and we always go down to cheer the runners on. Last year we discussed that we should offer something beyond cheers and shouts.
One of my friends was thinking about pooling our money together and buying some snacks and cookies and just having a big “snacks for runners” sign. Would this work? Would this be helpful? What kind of snacks work best? (ideally something available at Costco)
None of us are runners beyond the occasional turkey trot so we have no idea. So turning to r/running hoping for some feedback before we buy $500 of snacks that nobody wants.
At 18 give them gummy bears or beer. It’s 21+ where the sweet release of death would be appreciated.
I’ve done 5 marathons and the thing I tell people is that I love 1/2 marathons, they’re a nice way to start the day. But there’s nothing beyond 20 miles except pain and a larger medal.
Surprisingly the worst part of my last marathon was between 18th and 22nd miles.
After that I regained enough strength to reach the finish line without much issues.
NOT SUGAR FREE GUMMY BEARS.
Pain, misery, questioning all your life’s decisions, wondering what the hell you are doing, wishing pain upon anyone banging a drum or playing terrible music loudly on a Bluetooth speaker, telling yourself you’re never doing another full again, wondering whether you’ll still have toenails after taking your shoes off
Oh gosh I’ve run 3, one ultra and (being in Canada) around km 36 or 37 I always have someone meet me with a beer or radler - even if just for something very cold, effervescent and sugary. The alcohol I find just barely fills the pain and mostly signals that you’re almost done. Huuuuge dopamine boost.
I was struggling in a really cold/rainy race one year and someone near the end was giving out Dixie cups of beers and hot bacon strips and it was amazing.
I ran the Newport Oregon Marathon. They handed out oysters on the course. For some reason, there weren’t many takers.
Bacon at mile 18 would be amazing. Salty and fatty but not too filling. Especially if you handed out 1/2 or 1/3 strips.
I ran by a frat house that was handing out full cans. Yes it was some cheap beer…but tasted amazing!
I can’t tell if you’re serious or not, but are people really drinking beer while running a marathon?