The NYC Marathon remains one of the best days to be a New Yorker, and to prove we’re not as scary as our reputation. Strangers join families and friends of runners, walkers and other racers to encourage them along the five-borough 26.2-mile course. We cheer, clap, shout names, play music, disco dance, high-five, offer bananas and—outside one bar in Williamsburg—attempt to hand off a beer. On a single Sunday more than 50,000 people from around the planet inspire a city. It’s a magical day where spectators turn to champions and a place as big as New York City suddenly feels more like a small town, looking after anyone bold enough to enter its streets.
