Woke up late and sick Sunday. But it was sunny, and the New York Marathon was going to start in minutes, and you only get one of those a year. So out Regan and I went, headed towards Columbus Circle, thinking we’d make it to the finish line at about the same time as the first runners. We did, and without press credentials that would let us get really close, we decided to focus on the surroundings rather than the athletes. And then to focus on a West Side diner for something brunchy and greasy and good. Photos: so-so. Manhattan Diner on 77th & Broadway: slightly better. Hadn’t eaten there in YEARS.  

Somewhat scary dude on the A train. Unlike the girl in the poster above his head, he wasn’t running this year’s marathon.

Y’all ain’t from around here, are ya? This very nice guy with his wife and two kids was visiting from North Carolina. They had come especially to see the Chilean miner Edison Peña run.

 On the other hand, this man most likely was from around here, and he got the prize for most dapper marathon watcher. I want his shoes. 

Kid from Spain cheering close to the finish line.

Arinyc with ancient but trusty Nikon D200 and 10-24 superwide. Photo by Regan.

  Personal belongings bags waiting for their owners at the end of the race.

Happy runner walks into our diner. Most people you see wearing the post-race thermal blanket look enormously happy. I would have liked to see how much he ate, too.

And it looks good flapping in the subway-tunnel wind, too. Going home, 72nd street station.  

Medal and bag identify this man as another marathon finisher. He sure smelled like it, too. I woke up from a deep subway nap to take this shot and promptly fell back semi-asleep. Another good day in New York.