From New York Post · · 1m
Mile 18: NYC Marathon's Quitting Point
Runners drop out at NYC Marathon's Mile 18, a 'low point' where crowds thin and mental strain peaks.
In brief
Runners drop out at NYC Marathon's Mile 18, a 'low point' where crowds thin and mental strain peaks. Mile 18 is where most NYC Marathon runners quit due to mental strain and sparse crowds after the Queensboro Bridge. Originally reported by New York Post.
Mile 18: The Wall
Mile 18 is where most NYC Marathon runners quit due to mental strain and sparse crowds after the Queensboro Bridge.
Highest Dropout Rate
203 runners quit between mile 18 and 30K last year, the highest loss of runners between two timing points.
Crowd Thinning
Runners face comparative silence after the Queensboro Bridge, with crowds thinning near mile 18.
Mental Strain
Annie Reeves describes mile 18 as a 'low point' where the race turns into a mental game after the bridge.
“You go through Brooklyn, which is an insane adrenaline rush and amazing experience, you go through Queens, which is great, then when you come off of the 59th Street Bridge, it’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before.”
Omar Medjid's View
Omar Medjid says mile 18 is universally tough, with runners panicking about pace and time.
“That’s when you start looking at your watch, you’re kind of panicking and you’re just saying, ‘Okay, am I going to hit my goal time? Is my pace dropping?’”
Coach's Advice
Road Runners coach Steve Mura advises runners to remember their 'why' and focus on the next mile.
“Before the race, write it on your hand. Why did you sign up? When those moments get hard, and it will get hard, look down at your hand.”
What to remember
Mile 18 is where most NYC Marathon runners quit due to mental strain and sparse crowds after the Queensboro Bridge.
