The New York Marathon doesn’t compete with London on the costume (or as the Brits say, fancy dress) scale, but in a race the day after Halloween I expected to see a lot of decorated runners. Although the New York Times Faces at the Finish reveal a multitude of characters and funny hats I saw very few en route. I’m especially disappointed that I missed the giant Eiffel Tower and the furry polar bear. I was mostly surrounded by country uniforms – large groups dressed in matching gear emblazoned with their country name and flag. The French are particularly patriotic. Canada forgot to email me the dress code instructions.
In keeping with Mark Remy’s Rules of Running I knew I needed to pass any costumed runner in my vicinity. Within the first few miles I overtook a man wearing a skimpy loin cloth and not much else. I’m assuming he applied vast quantities of vasoline because ouch, I peaked through the side slit of that cloth as I ran by and whatever lay beneath was speedo-sized.
Around mile 22 I passed a running hot dog. Husband, I’m confused to report, ran right by the giant hot dog and didn’t even notice him. It does worry me that I can’t find a picture of the running hotdog online. I was incredibly hungry. But I don’t like hot dogs and my ravenous oasis-like vision would be more likely to look like a deliciously human-sized pizza. Then, as I neared the finish, I saw him. Tony the Tiger. With only 200 yards to go (whatever that means - seriously, what kind of measurement is a yard?) I started gaining on him. Unfortunately the course ended before I caught him. I ran the faster race by chip time, but his gun time triumphed my own (the optimistic tiger must have been standing on the start line). A man in a big furry costume beat me. He’s grrrrreat!
Title Reference: Madonna – Vogue. From the album I’m Breathless. 1990.
AHHHHH….TIGGER.
I PASSED TIGGER CROSSING THE WILLIS AVE BRIDGE.
Which is also near where I passed some chick in a devil costume. And Michael Jackson, who was apparently back from the dead.
Oops, upon closer inspection it is Tigger. During the race I only saw him from behind and thought Tony the Tiger. I feel better about being beaten by Tigger. Tiggers are bouncy trouncy flouncy pouncy and I was none of the above.
I saw Michael Jackson break dancing in Central Park Saturday. He’s pretty active for a dead guy.
I’m sorry but I can barely make it with no costume…can’t imagine running with one! Chaffing big time! As far as passing people in costumes, I think that’s a great strategy that my coach would definitely encourage…”search and distroy…that pizza! or that Tigger…that Angel…” Nice post, thanks for visiting my blog!
I don’t know how they do it. A simple misplaced seam can push me over the edge into madness. Some of those costumes are huge – London often has multi-person fancy dress. I’m not even sure I can handle pace bunny ears and a sign … so I’ve never applied for the job.
Passing costumed runners (the many Elvises at Las Vegas) got my through my first marathon … it’s all about the baby steps to the finish. One Elvis down, 41 more to go.
Wearing anything more than shorts and a T is not fun. Although, we ran this event last year …
Santa Jingle
…and will run it again. At least everybody is costume-ly handicapped.
I totally wanted to run that last year but it didn’t work out. Thanks for the reminder – I’m gonna do it. My first ever costumed run will be on December 12th 2009!
Since you’ve already run the Santa Jingle, how about trying the Santa Speedo Run this year?
Santa Speedo Run
Being the slow (very very slow) runner that I am, I am often passed by lots of people in costume. You’d think it would motivate me to run faster but it just makes me laugh.
When I volunteered at the Baltimore Marathon, I saw a man run the entire marathon in FULL denim overalls and a straw hat. I can’t even imagine the chafing.
I’d like to see some of these runners in training. Imagine the looks as he run around Baltimore on his long runs?
Prepare yourself! Haha, it is a fun race.
JingleReport – from the RWS archives
We have a firefighter in Indianapolis who does the 500 Festival mini marathon every year in full turnout gear for charity. That’s about the only example of wearing a costume that is actually admirable!
Yeah, that’s awesome to see. Same with those who run races in their full military gear. I think uniforms are exempt from the passing rule.
I have too much body hair to rock a speedo.
Although, it is Movember and I think I might sport a Mo to the next race (assuming, of course, that I can get runshorts’ approval).
Denied, on both accounts.