I love standing on that Verrazano bridge at the start of the New York City Marathon and looking across the water and seeing the island of Manhattan. Shannon, Staten Island, where I got to hang out with people on blankets waiting at Fort Wadsworth for the start. When we finally started in my group, I was one of the last 20 people to start across the start line, and yet there was still people cheering for us. Guys on trucks on the Verrazano Bridge, you were playing Rocky for us. As a Brooklynite, my favorite part of the New York City Marathon is running through Brooklyn. I remember the first time when I ran the New York City Marathon, Brooklyn was just a block party all the way through. My favorite part of the New York City Marathon is coming across the Pulaski Bridge. I spent my childhood growing up in Long Island City, Queens. It brings back so many memories of family and friends from growing up in New York City in the 80s. My favorite. Is crossing the Queensboro Bridge. You know you've got the quietness, you've got the footsteps, and you know you're really checking in with yourself. And then as you take the turn and you come down to 1st Ave. you just hit this wall of sound. The race doesn't start until I get tomorrow. 19 1st Ave. between 96 and 124th St. runners left, and I get a new boost of energy because I know my friends and family are going to be out there running in the Bronx if we're only in the Bronx for a short while. But it's a great time. I love going through the area of Harlem through Marcus Garvey Park, which has beautiful brownstones on a Sunday afternoon. Mile 25, it's late in the race. It's very hard both on your body and on your mind at that point. The most rewarding part of the marathon is getting to that finish line, having energy to smile or energy to acknowledge people on the stands and the grandstand. Thousands of people either side just this pure wall of energy. It's just exciting. And you are Manhattan. You're almost home hitting the few rollers left and just knowing that your journey's done missions accomplished. Know that New York's going to show up for you and be there for you every step of the way, and especially at the finish where the party is really rocking. So have a great race, enjoy it, enjoy our city, Go get them.