Selected Athletes:
Congratulations. You qualify as one of the top competitive runners in
the ING New York City Marathon 2006. At New York Road Runners, we
celebrate and applaud competitive runners like you. We stand in
admiration and support of you and want to ensure your marathon
experience is fantastic and as stress-free as possible.
As part of our support of competitive runners, in 2004 we established
the Sub-Elite Initiative, a unique program designed to give special
benefits to men likely to run between 2:20 and 2:35. Based on the
success of that program, last year we extended the sub-elite group to
include women in the 2:55-3:05 range. We are pleased to invite you to
participate in this year's Sub-Elite program.
As participants in the Sub-Elite program, we will provide you with the
following benefits:
1. Special transportation to the start as part of our pro athlete
caravan
2. A special staging and warm-up area at the start, away from most of
the other 37,000 participants
3. A completely clear starting position at the front of the race
4. Special baggage handling and transport from the start to the finish
5. Expedited baggage pickup at the finish
Here are the details of your program. Please print this e-mail and bring
with you to New York.
1. Pick up your race number and ChampionChip timing device at the ING
New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo as usual, with the
exception of Jennifer Denkins, Jon Clemens, Julia Stamps, and John
Traugott, whose numbers will be at the Hilton Hotel and Towers, 1335
Avenue of the Americas (between 53rd and 54th Streets) in room 4449.
(For more information on the ING New York City Marathon Health and
Fitness Expo, please visit
http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/expo.php). There will be no
special stickers or markers on your bib.
2. On Race Day, Sunday, November 5, beginning at 6:30 a.m., a caravan of
six buses will be parked on 54th Street between Fifth Avenue and Avenue
of the Americas (Sixth Ave), across the street from the Hilton Hotel and
Towers (In case of inclement weather, meet in the lobby of the Hilton).
Go to the last two buses (marked "Sub-Elite") in the caravan, where a
race volunteer will check you off of our list. Bring everything you need
to run the race, including the clear bag given to you at the Expo. THE
ONLY BAGS ALLOWED ON THE BUS WILL BE THE CLEAR BAGS.
3. Before you board the bus, the volunteer will place a special colored
sticker on your race number. This sticker will allow you access to the
sub-elite baggage area near the finish line. Make sure you get this
sticker.
4. The buses will depart promptly at 7:15 a.m. for the start. If you are
not on the bus at this time, it will leave without you. YOU MUST BE ON
THESE BUSES TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE SUB-ELITE STARTING CORRAL.
5. The buses will travel with a police escort in our special pro athlete
caravan, and arrive at Fort Wadsworth at approximately 8:00 a.m. When
you leave your bus, turn left into the parking lot and you will see a
tent and staging area reserved for you. Volunteers will be on hand to
direct you to the right place. Water and Gatorade will be available.
6. At approximately 9:30 a.m., your bags will be collected and placed in
a special ConEdison baggage van so that they can be brought to the
finish line. DO NOT PUT YOUR BAGS IN ANY VAN OTHER THAN THE SPECIAL CON
EDISON VAN. You should now be dressed to run, except for a warm shirt
you can throw away.
7. At 9:45 a.m., be prepared to leave the staging area for the walk to
the start line. Race staff will walk you as a group up on the bridge for
the start. You must stay in this group.
8. When you get on the bridge, race staff will lead you over the center
barrier where you will be placed at the front of the Orange Start, just
ahead of the 3000 fastest recreational women runners. There is a small
amount of space for you to continue jogging and do your final strides.
9. By 10:03 you must be behind the ChampionChip mats on the Orange
Start.
10. At 10:08, the start cannon will fire and you will be running the
race.
11. When you arrive a the finish line in Central Park, please follow the
signs and volunteer directions for "Pro Athlete Reunion," shortly past
the finish line to your left. The sticker on your race number will allow
you in this reserved area to get your bag. There will be water,
Gatorade, and blankets on hand if you need them.
12. When ready, exit Sub-Elite Reunion and make your way out of the
park.
If you have any questions about the Sub-Elite program, please contact
ING New York City Marathon professional athlete manager Sam Grotewold,
coordinator of the sub-elite program, at sgrotewold@nyrr.org or +1 212.423.2276
.
Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you on Sunday, November 5!
Best regards,
President and CEO Mary Wittenberg, New York Road Runners
Race Director, ING New York City Marathon
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