h. nazan ışık—

5 November 2018—

Yesterday it was the New York City Marathon.

“Such a perfect day for the New York City Marathon, such a beautiful weather to run a marathon, ” one of the spectators said to another one.

“ Yes, not cold, not hot, not raining, not snowing…it is a perfect day,” replied the other one.

I like to stay close to the 60th Street on First Avenue, which is the entrance into Manhattan after the Queensboro Bridge – also known as the 59th Street Bridge. Manhattan was ready for the runners at that spot. Portable toilets were located under the bridge, an official fluid and food station on First Avenue and 61st Street was set up there, a band was ready, waiting, New Yorkers, fans and runners’ relatives were there with flags, signs and bells to cheer them on.

This year I was late to see the athletes on wheelchair and female athletes who entered Manhattan first.

And the male racers arrived.

The male athletes who entered Manhattan first

They were so concentrated, so fast like a strong wind, arrived, passed, and disappeared.

The road was getting crowded with runners as well as those on the sidelines. There were relatives who knew their loved ones’ running time and were trying not to miss them. I decided to focus on them.

Some racers, who have a lot of friends took their times to get a hug from every one, get pictures taken. She was shining, as if she was just starting to run.

It was crowded. If not close enough to give a hug, why not reach out and touch. This was that moment.

Not much to say, another intimate moment.

I was standing next to a spectator, who was checking her cell phone very often, and talking to herself.

“Waiting for someone?” I asked.

“Yes, for my friend. She just crossed the bridge; I don’t want to miss her,” she said.

She asked me, “And, you? Whom are you waiting for?”

I smiled, “For no one specific, but for anybody, everybody! I am here to cheer up, give energy, encourage everyone, who needs it” I said.

,

And, finally her friend arrived. She gave a big hug. It was such a joy to see their happiness…

It was almost 4:00pm. Sanitations trucks started to clean First Avenue. Police opened the road for traffic. Well, for the City it was the end of the marathon on First Avenue, I guess. All racers came after that had to run or walk on the pavement.

I decided to go Central Park to see the finishers.

It was 8:14 pm. Some finishers were going home and some finishers-to-be still running.

Some racers, maybe relatives, maybe friends, as a group were leaving Central Park together.

And some were alone.

It was late, and cold. At 10:22 pm two more racers arrived. They were happy. By the finish line the music was playing, the party was going on. But a young woman, who maybe working, maybe waiting for someone, looked tired.

It was 10:50 pm. when I heard the announcement that there were three more racers to arrive.

I left at 11:00 pm. while the music was playing by the finish line. And, some people on the side were still waiting for the last three runners, the “final finishers”, to arrive.

So, the New York City Marathon was not over yet.

Photos: © h. nazan ışık / NKENdiKEN

© h. nazan ışık