Where to Meet Family and Friends After the NYC Marathon

This topic has become popular since the family reunion area was eliminated in 2010.  You can't meet "by the fountains at Columbus Circle" - the area will be mobbed, and, since it is quite likely one of you will wait awhile for the other, the fact that the weather may be frightful and no one will feel like standing very long makes an outdoor meeting place impractical.

Most runners exit the park between 77th and 85th and Central Park West. NY Road Runners has advised that all runners will be guided to Columbus Ave, and that family will not be able to walk east of Columbus Ave. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops nearby where you can wait indoors, and perhaps by some food or drink, while waiting for the other party to show. Possibilities include:

The areas closest to the exit streets & Columbus will be an utter madhouse for most of the day. I would STRONGLY urge you to walk several blocks or avenues-which is good for you after the race anyway- to meet up with loved ones.

Outdoor locations are iffy if the support group shows up well after the runner and it's cold or rainy. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops nearby where you can wait indoors, and perhaps by some food or drink, while waiting for the other party to show.


Possibilities include:

Starbucks has stores on Columbus Avenue, at 67th, 73rd, 76th, and 81st Streets.

Cosi Sandwich Shop is at 2186 Broadway (77th St.)

Lenny's is at 74th and Columbus. 

Ray Bari Pizza, City Pie, 72nd St. Bagel (a huge place) and Subway are on 72nd btw Columbus and Amsterdam

New York Sports Club: If you belong to a gym with a nearby facility, consider whether you can walk there, shower, then meet your family in the entrance area. New York Sports Club has a club on 73rd St., a half block from the park, and one 62nd St., about two blocks from the park.

If you end up winging it, the ING New York City Marathon Mobile Spectator App includes a GPS option for runners; this allows fans to follow your progress throughout the race and through the post-finish area. Friends can also call the Runner Information Hotline number: 800.496.6193 on marathon day and key in your race (bib) number to track your whereabouts both during and after the race. Because this is a new service, you should fully expect it to be buggy, so don't panic if, two hours into the race, it says your runner is still on Staten Island.

Celebration- After you recuperate and re-hydrate and begin to feel human, you will not want to go home to sleep - you will want to eat and to celebrate your achievement. Get away from the area of the park, as all restaurants near it will be utterly packed and most have flights of stairs that are painful to walk down.  Instead, book a table at a place a few subway stops away, for a time that is 60-90 minutes after you expect to finish the race. This gives you enough time to exit the park, regale your family and friends, rehydrate and replace essential nutrients, and get to your destination.

I recommend these four places, all clients who are rolling out the welcome mat for marathon runners:

The first two places are near Times Square - perfect for those staying in hotels in the Times Square/ Madison Square Garden/Penn Station area or leaving the city through Penn Station, the Midtown Tunnel, the Lincoln Tunnel or Port Authority. Take the C train downtown from 81st St  or the 1 train downtown from 79th or 72nd, each to 42nd St. Each place is about 3 minutes away from that stop.

• Tir na nog Times Square at 315 W. 39th St., just west of 8th Ave. - is a terrific upscale Irish pub with terrific food and beers. It is an utterly spectacular space that accommodates groups very well, and has no stairs. Call (212) 760-0072 to reserve your spot or reserve on Open Table.

• Beer Authority at 40th and 8th is a four-level (with an elevator!) restaurant with 101 craft beer taps, outstanding pub food, plenty of space for groups, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Times Square, and a (heated) rooftop Beer Garden Patio. Call (212) 510-8415 to reserve your table.

The Brickyard Gastropub is at 52^nd and Ninth – about a kilometer from the finish line.  It has great food, terrific craft beers, and a great ambience. They had a blowout bash last year, full of runners and their families all day and night. Call them at 212-767-0077 to reserve, or email them at Info@BrickyardNYC.com

Closer to Penn Station (take the 1 train downtown from 79th or 72nd to 28th St) is Mustang Harry's, a large facility that will be showing all your favorite sports teams, has an excellent line-up of drinks and a solid menu of comfort food. Call them at (212) 268-8930 or reserve on Open Table. A block away is sister restaurant Mustang Sallys; call them at 212-695-3806.