The upcoming New York City Marathon will IYH take place on Sunday, November 2'cnd. The race starts at the foot of the Verrazano Bridge in Staten Island and works its way through all five boroughs ending in Central Park. 

About two million people come out throughout the day and line the streets to watch and cheer the runners. Having run it four times I know that there are many Jews among the spectators. It’s a great opportunity for Mivtzah Tefillin and Neshek. The race starts in stages (waves) between 8:00AM and 11:30AM. Spectators start lining the streets in Brooklyn at about 9:00AM and a bit later in the other Boroughs. Last year there were at least 3 Bar Mitzvahs!!!

Given the situation in Eretz Yisroel I think it would be a great idea to come out in force and help people put on Tefillin and do Mivtza Neshek.

Click Route Information for maps showing the route and crowd information as well as a map showing subway stops. The race starts in stages at 9:00AM until 11:30. The crowds start gathering at about 9:00AM in the Brooklyn section and a bit later further on in the route. 

Another thing to bear in mind is that spectator's are not allowed on the bridges. The bridges represent about 4 miles of the route. That means there are 22 miles of spectators times two because they line both sides of the streets. So there are about 46 miles of spectators!

After the race please send me your name and mother's name and the number of people that put on Tefillin and how many Neshek you distributed. IYH I will take them to the Ohel to give the Rebbe a big Nachas Ruach.

And send some pictures and I will post them.

Shmarya Richler