MarathonFoto will take photos and video of runners as they cross the finish line. Volunteers will then place medals around finishers' necks. Next is the walk-off is HeatSheet™ distribution presented by United Airlines and Foot Locker. Each finisher will receive a TCS New York City Marathon Recovery Bag. The bag will contain Poland Spring® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water, Gatorade Recovery Beverage, a PowerBar, a New York State Mcintosh apple, and Snyder's of Hanover pretzels.
Professional Athletes
Pro Men
Defending men's champion Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya will be looking to win his third New York City Marathon laurel wreath and $100,000 prize. If fellow countryman and former world record holder Wilson Kipsang grabs the TCS New York City Marathon title, he'll also grab the World Marathon Majors Championship and $500,000. American marathon legend Meb Keflezhigi will look to prove his win at the Boston Marathon last spring was not his last. Also representing the stars and stripes are fellow Americans Luke Peskedra and Nick Arsiniaga. Other top male entries include Stephen Kiprotich from Uganda, Lusapho April from South Africa, Lilissa Desisa and Gebre Gebremariam from Ethiopia and Masato lmai and Yuki Kawauchi from Japan and Michael Kpyego and Micah Kogo from Kenya.
Pro Women
The women's field will be vying for a purse equal to the men - $100,000. The field is filled with contenders. Americans Desiree Linden, a 2012 Olympian and 2011 Boston Marathon runner-up, and fan favorite Kara Goucher will look to challenge the Ethiopian born and Bronx resident Buzunesh Deba and 2010 New York City Marathon champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya. Other top female entries include American Masters star Denna Kastor, Fireiwot Dado from Ethiopia, Jemima Sumgong and Mary Keitany from Kenya, Jelena Prokopcuka from Latvia and Valeria Straneo of Italy.
Pro Wheelchair
The pro wheelchair field is highlighted by the amazing Tatyana McFadden. The American star won the 2013 New York City Marathon women's title, completing an unprecedented Grand Slam sweep of the London, Boston, Chicago, and New York marathons in a single year, and could accomplish the same feat in 2014. Her exploits extend beyond the roads as well, as McFadden won a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics for Cross Country Skiing. On the men's side, American Josh George has the momentum following his recent Bank of America Chicago Marathon win last month. Last year's New York City Marathon champions Marcel Hug of Switzerland and the legendary Ernst Van Dyk from South Africa, winner of a record ten Boston Marathons, will make the men's race one to watch.
The start transportation, baggage collection, and finish procedure for the pros is completely different from everybody else, and if there are specific questions from someone claiming to be a pro athlete, please contact Sam Grotewold (646-269- 6157) or David Monti (917-385-2666).
If you see a pro athlete drop out of the race, call Mike Quigley in PAG sweep vehicle at 781-424-7593. Mike drives the course at about a 2:25 pace looking for dropouts. If the athlete is in distress and needs medical attention, they should be taken to the nearest on-course medical station, and phone calls should go to both Mike in the PAG sweep van and to Sam at the finish. It's always best if staff can remain with the athlete until Sam or Mike is able to get them, if possible.
The Elite Family Reunion area is on the bridle path off of the 69th Street foot path.
For runners who live outside the United States, guaranteed entry along with the purchase of a marathon package-i.e. air ticket to NYC and/or a hotel stay in NYC-may be available through an Official International Travel Partner (ITP) in the runner's country or territory. International runners who reside in countries that do not have an existing ITP may purchase the Marathon package from an ITP in another country.
The ITP package includes: (1) Guaranteed Entry into the Marathon; (2) Transfer to the Start; and (3) Marathon Eve Dinner Ticket.
ITP runners will each receive a printed Finisher Certificate and the printed Results magazine in the mail from NYRR sometime in early 2015.
Runners on Team for Kids, Fred's Team, and Silver Level charities may have access to their charity's tent in the start village. The runner should check in with the charity manager to get an access bracelet. **Not all charities offer access to the tent to all of their runners.
Select Charity Runners - Baggage
Team for Kids and Fred's team "Baggage" runners need to put their bags on a truck marked Cherry Hill when they are in the start village. There will be Cherry Hill trucks near the Team for Kids and Fred's Team tents.