The Essential Guide to Running the New York City Marathon

by Toby Tanser

Book Overview

This practical "how-to" guide helps take the stress out of planning for the marathon. Readers will find sections on every conceivable aspect of preparing for-and enjoying-the big day, including: How to Enter Three 16-week Training Guides The Top 14 Tips for Surviving in the City The Weather and What to Wear Hotels Volunteering The Race Expo Where to Run in NYC Getting to-and Surviving-the Start Best Bagel and Pizza Restaurants in the City Spectator...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399528520
• ISBN13: 9780399528521
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Length: 191 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

I loved this book!

This is hardly a training must-read but it sure was a blast to read if you're looking at NYC as an upcoming must-do marathon. I particularly enjoyed the spectator section and how the author recommended the best mile markers to view from. I bought a used copy and the previous owner made some notes in the margins regarding his/her own personal experiences with both the hotel and restaurants chosen. It's interspersed with fun trivia and prior race stats. The mile-by-mile description of the race itself was well written. Certainly this book will motivate and inspire a runner or two. Definitely worth the $5 investment.

Not only a running book but......

Found it a great guide for a runner in New York City - eateries, places, info - Very helpful, and the running advice is awesome. Many pages of training ideas/tips from famous runners. I would recommend this book for any marathoner/runner, not only those running nyc.

Refreshing surprise

Pulled this book off the shelf expecting another book with scant info BUT I was spellbound at once! It had everything from schedules to advice from all the names I had seen run the damn thing.I know NY city, but after reading this book I know it better as a runner. Loved Grete Waitz's advice, most entertaining and not really like any other travel - running book I have ever read.It has a jaunting theme of enjoyment, but offers first rate help to any level runner. Bought a copy, immediately!

Local, intense and fulfilling

The thing that pleased me most about this book, written by a deeply amusing and insightful Brit, Toby Tanser, is that he has turned the New York City Marathon into an accessible source of enjoyment for all, not just runners but visitors and family as well. Not only does he tweak the great city of New York into a handful of joyful and fascinating stories, but he brings the reader into direct contact with the city's people and streets. How detailed his research must have been to be able to say of my own local bagel shop that it has the most dough for the dollar (Pick-A-Bagel on 2nd Ave at 77th St) and yet thereafter list dozens of other shops, locales and curiosities that are minutely detailed and wonderfully inviting. Reading his book, New York becomes the friendliest spot on earth - and it certainly can be that. The book proves it.Author Tanser also adds humanism: he describes the race-director's birthplace as having been on the same Avenue around Mile 22 of the NYC Marathon itself. I didn't know that, and I used to WORK for the race director for 7 years. Imagine.Additionally, since he's a superb and responsible runner himself, Tanser squeezes the finest running-resources into his book. As marathon reference tool, city-guide and training manual, this book really has it all- and it's not too long, which is a plus for runners eager to get going!