The New York City Marathon: A 26.2-Mile Fashion Show

Before 50,000 runners ran through the streets of New York, they gathered at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island and had to wait for hours. During those early hours, marathon runners linger, grappling with pre-race thrills and admiring what others are wearing.

Call it the Fort Wadsworth Fashion Walk.

It’s an exercise in subclassing made more complicated by the lack of bag checking. Any clothing that an athlete carries and opts out of must be discarded before or during the race.

As the start time approaches, those classes will fly into the donation bin. Funnels, Halloween costumes, space blankets and winter coats are thrown into the donation bin. Several thousand pounds of clothing was donated to Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey. Six UPS trucks were on-site this year to deliver donated clothing.

This year, unusually high temperatures mean fewer runners. But many still sport a quirky style. Superman capes, Wonder Woman costumes and long dresses abound.

Here’s what some runners wore and thought about, before hitting the starting line of the New York City Marathon:

Heather Johns

Age: 72

Home: Victoria, British Columbia

Can you tell us how you chose your outfit today?

I’m always trying to find something unique to wear. This will be given and someone will receive. It’s almost Christmas so I thought this would be fun.

Where did you pick up this piece?

Our local Salvation Army store.

How many marathons have you run? Today will be my 19th.

Has everyone commented on today’s outfit? I received a lot of comments. You know, I’m actually turning 73 next week.

How would you describe your clothing aesthetic?

My sister went with me and she said, “I think ‘The Grinch’ was filmed in New York City. ” So she said it was really appropriate for New York City to pick something like “The Grinch. ” Have you read the back side?

What does the back say?

I really can’t remember.

It says, “I’ll be good next year.” Are you sad to have to part with it?

Not completely not. I’m glad someone else got this.

Tracey Rouse

Age: 48

Hometown: Memphis

What inspired your look today?

Color, first of all, so that someone can recognize me since I’m here alone. My brother lives on Long Island. He will try to find me. So I realized the brighter the better.

I was also a part of Black Girls Run.

Tell me about Black Girls Run.

Black Girls Run is a women’s organization that helps people, women, just achieve 5K and inspires them to do more than just 5K – like a 10K, 15K and half marathon Street.

How do you feel about the temperature today?

I’m from Memphis, Tennessee. I’m chasing the states. Black Girls Run inspired me to make 50 states. So I have one more state, and I’m going to Hawaii next Saturday.

Wait, so you’ve completed 49 states? Have you done races in 49 states?

Half marathon in every state.

What is the final state?

Hawaii. Saturday. I will be working remotely for the rest of the week from here. Saturday, I’ll be in Kauai. And then I’m going on vacation to Honolulu.

Yuki Chorney

Age: 50

Hometown: Mont Vernon, SMALL

Can you tell me about your outfit?

I will become the Goddess of Liberty, in all her glory.

Is that blue contact lenses?

They are. I’m really committed to this outfit. I also have a prop.

What is support?

Torch. Important part of the costume.

Do you do that?

I did.

Do you commit to full wear for the entire 26.2 miles?

For the entire 26.2 miles.

Will you carry the torch?

The whole road.

Won’t your arm hurt?

It’s not important.

Eddie Antonio

Age: 57

Hometown: Hartsdale, NY

Let me know about your view.

I am a cooker. I love food. This is to celebrate health and nutrition.

And you are also a chef for your profession?

I’m really a PA

Is that a piece of bread?

Right.

And what’s in the bottle?

Water.

Will you run the whole 26.2 in costume?

Yes, of course. Right.

Will the hat stay?

It will continue.

What if it falls off?

It won’t because it has an elastic adjustment band. If it falls off, I’ll go back to pick it up and put it back on.

You commit to the interface.

I won’t waste time. I just go for fun. Enjoy everyone, enjoy the fans and don’t hurt yourself.

Moshe Lederfien

Age: 69

Hometown: Rishon LeZion, Israel

Will you run a full marathon with a pineapple?

Ask pineapple if he’s ready.

The world is in a terrible crisis and we have the know-how to balance the world.

Is your outfit balance theme?

YES.

Have you considered another audience?

Yes, you can give me a bottle of wine halfway through if you want.

In the middle of the race?

YES. No problem.

So in the race, can you switch the pineapple?

Everyone likes pineapple.

Yannick Reyneaud

Age: 37

Hometown: Béziers, France

Would you run 26.2 miles in this outfit?

We will see. We’ll try, but I’m not sure we’ll run with that until the end.

Can you fall it as you go?

Yes, probably yes.

What was the inspiration for the outfit?

We come from the same company and so we wanted to create something special to symbolize the fact that we are here.

What’s the process like painting these?

It’s an artistic combination. We are painting some blue and red paint.

How would you describe your outfit?

We have a wig. Blue, white and red for the French flag. We also have some jewelry and glasses for the French flag.

Do you carry the flag when you run?

Maybe. We will remove the plastic and just take the flag with us.

Spiderman

Age: 29

Hometown: Dallas

What’s your name?

Spiderman.

Amazing.

Ultimate Spiderman.

What inspired the look?

I just want to go out and make someone’s day a little better. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is just trying to encourage everyone to get up and run.

Have people come to you asking for any help?

Not yet. The boys in blue seem to be taking good care of that today.

But are you taking precautions?

I’m calling all the time.

Will you run the entire 26.2 miles in this?

As long as no one yells at me.

Interviews have been condensed and edited.