A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York

I loved this book! Liz Robbins' narrative chronicles the 2007 NYC Marathon with fact and anecdote filled chapters for each mile as the runners travel through all five boroughs of NYC and over the finish line; she does indeed manages to transport you inside the race and capture the sprit of the event that makes it A RACE LIKE NO OTHER. Perhaps it will even inspire some of the many readers that this book deserves who believe that the challenge of completing a marathon is too daunting to change minds and undertake the training required to attempt running one. It certainly will delight those who have participated and inform the millions who as spectators have cheered on the runners along the course or watched it on television in their living rooms.Before I proceed further with my enthusiastic review, I do need to offer a disclaimer. At the suggestion of the race organizers, I was one of the myriad of individuals who the author interviewed during her extensive research for this book. I am an individual who had no exhibited no previous athletic aptitude before starting to exercise after passing my thirtieth birthday during the 1970's. But my current reputation as a 65 year old streaker intrigued her, and she chronicles part of my journey as I complete this event for the 32nd consecutive year. Thus, my story is one of the many of those of us who revel in our chance to become athletes for a day. In fact, as you will learn if you read the book, she somehow managed to locate me as I was running up First Avenue in the middle of the pack long after she had observed the winners crossing the finish line in Central Park and, after being introduced to a friend who I made during the race, the three of us ran together for approximately a mile as she joined the race again to discover more stories among the anonymous throng which would still be on the course for hours. I believe that my knowledge of the race enables me to appreciate even more the excellent job that the author has done, but I felt it appropriate to inform the readers of this review of what some might view as a source of potential favorable bias.Robbins skillfully weaves into her manuscript the duel between Gete Wami and Paula Radcliffe which of course captivated even the casual observers of the race, while also managing to humanize them through the inclusion of a wealth of interesting information about aspects of their lives as diverse as their training routines, previous competitive encounters, early family experiences, and the fact that they are united by the bond that both women have returned to the sport at the highest competitive level after bearing a child. The stories of the leading competitors among the men are covered in an equally interesting manner, with many fascinating insights provided. Similarly, readers will appreciate the coverage of celebrities such as Lance Armstrong and Katie Holmes.The many anecdotes about Fred Lebow which Liz Robbins inserts throughout the book together form a wonderful picture of the individual whose passion for the sport and ceaseless promotion of the marathon helped transform it from a race for elite runners who circled Central Park slightly more than four times to the spectacle which reinforced the running explosion which was just beginning in the mid-1970's. But for me, by far the most interesting aspect of the book was how she managed to meld the interesting stories of many individual runners into a mosaic that captured the essence of the experience. Included among these stories are many of the Achilles Club runners, whose members' disabilities cover a wide spectrum which range from the blind runners tethered loosely to their guides to amputees with artificial limbs and several cancer survivors, for whom completing the marathon is a way to celebrate their triumph over the disease. Many of them will spend several more hours on the course than the main field and thus start the race early, as a consequence as the race proceeds many of us runners have the opportunity to share in their inspirational achievements as we run by them and cheer them on in their pursuit of their dreams. Thus, I finally learned that it is 55 year old Bill Reilly whom I see every year along the course determinedly pushing his wheelchair backwards with his feet for 26.2 miles despite his severe cerebral palsy. And that Zoe Koplowitz who I also pass has completed her 20th NYC Marathon the next morning despite her diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Perhaps the most moving of all was the tale of Donald Arthur, a heart transplant victim who started walking to strengthen his new heart and three years later in 1999 completed the marathon together with the brother of his transplant donor (a victim of gunfire in the Bronx) and who then are both embraced by the victim's mother after they cross the finish line. In 2007 Arthur has recovered from a subsequent bout of cancer and is completing his tenth marathon that year. The joy in the streets, the agony and the ecstasy are all captured in this book.Robbins also does justice to the other crucial elements of the race, the almost countless volunteers, the musicians whose performance adds to the celebratory atmosphere, the millions of supportive spectators (some of whom cheer the runners through the final three miles along Central park for as long as six hours), the unique and memorable landmarks along the race course, such as the towering Verranzano-Narrows Bridge, the Williamsburg Bank clock tower (a landmark visible for several miles along Brooklyn's Fourth Avenue), and the distinct neighborhoods which the runners traverse. We learn the background stories about the Bishop Laughlin High School Band and the Emmanuel Baptist Church choir, whose music only five blocks apart inspires the runners as they run down Lafayette Avenue with five miles still to go before leaving Brooklyn and reaching the halfway point as they cross the Pulaski Bridge and enter Queens.In summary, if you like inspirational and feel good stories, read this book. If you want to learn more about the NYC marathon, read this book. If you want the unique experience of reading a book which fittingly ends with chapter 26.2, then read this book. We can't all hope to compete at an elite level or duplicate such feats of endurance as Dean Karnazes' running 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days and finishing with the NYC event , but this book captures how the NYC marathon undoubtedly deserves the credit for establishing the tradition of every runner being a winner over their own pain, and feeling deserving of the medal placed around his or her neck at its conclusion in the knowledge that on that day they had done their best as they were cheered on by the millions of spectators who line the route. When Liz Robbins explained the idea for her book while first interviewing me, I was both excited by the concept but fearful of the challenge which she had before her to accurately capture all the facets of the event. Now, I am delighted that she has succeeded, and hope that her book will achieve the readership which it deserves and in the process create even more appreciation for the unique nature of the event. Indeed every year its essence is the same, yet every year the details are different, new friends are made and different sights and sounds assault three runners' sense which are heightened by the inevitable surge of endorphins, which is why I will enjoy it as much this year as what I expected in 1976 would be not only my first but my only run through the streets of NYC, a Bicentennial celebration which not only linked the residents of the city's diverse neighborhoods but changed the face of marathoning. I highly recommend this book; as a reader you will share in the joy in the streets on that special day, and experience the palpable inspiration which results when everyone is a winner and the triumph of the human spirit is so clearly on display. .Tucker Andersen

I ran my first NYC Marathon this past year, the first of what I hope to be many, following my dad who had done it a few times when I was a child. A Race Like No Other captures the experience, from Staten Island though the finish line in Central Park (right down to the frustration of trying to get OUT of the park once the race is over!). The writing moves back and forth across several stories that are being told simultaneously, keeping you interested as the miles go by. The stories cover elite pro's to recreational runners to those who are running for a higher purpose. You will find yourself caring about each of the individuals described. What came through really beautifully and what is not really appreciated by those outside the sport, is the spirit of sportsmanship and sportswomanship that is so central to the sport. Particularly compelling as regards the elite athletes is the description of the battle between Paula and Wami for the woman's win, but it is framed against Paula's baby daughter being held by Wami's husband before the race, and being held by Wami herself after the race. This conjured up images of the great Grete Waitz, who lost first place in the olympic marathon, only to become Godmother to the son of her rival. In what other sport will you see this kind of class, honor, and mutual respect, particularly when prize money and endorsement deals etc. are on the line? A Race Like No Other set out to capture the spirit of the NYC Marathon, and succeeds.

was expecting more from this book but its ok. learned some things which i didnt know about nyc marathon. overall good book to read before NYC marathon. useful info inside.

If you want to run the NYC Marathon or any marathon, read this book. If you’re already going to run it, this is actually a helpful guide to the different areas of NYC and where you should hold back (first half) and what to look out for (hilly 2nd half).

27.08.2015 I'm by preparing to NYC Marathon which I take a part on 1st November 2015. I was looking on internet to find information about this beautiful event which started in 1970 under leadership of Fred Lebov. I must say that this book is really what I was looking for. There is description of such interesting personalities from sports stars to common but extraordinary people which take a part in NYC Marathon. Personally I will be 4th time in NYC, always during NYC marathon but as marathoner first time. This book tells me how great personalities build this amazing city of such mixed cultures and ideas. I strongly recommend for each reader especially marathoner of NYC Marathon events.

If you plan on running the NYC Marathon read this book. Even if you are not running it, if you aspire to run it, read this book. Seriously. I read this before I ran NYC 2017 and it calmed my race nerves and gave me wonderful journeys to reflect on during my own 26.2

The book is well written but somewhat too ambitious. It tried to capture the stories of too many people, leaving too big a gap in between each story. I found myself flipping forward just to see what happened to Paula.

It was entertaining and engaging with the various runner stories but I was looking for a more in depth look at the course itself so wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I purchased both the Kindle and Audible versions and it was nice to bounce back and forth as I was able to listen and keep going with the book at times I wasn't able to actually read - like when I was running :)

Good Product.

Reading the book made the training for the NYCM even more worthwhile

Brilliant - very well researched and a great read for anyone training for the New York marathon - original in how it’s approached - couldn’t put it down

Bon livre

Started the book avidly as I was due to run the NY marathon and it promised to be informative and interesting, then lost momentum due to the marathon being cancelled. I'm sure it'll be great when I can bring myself to pick it up again though.