NYC Marathon up Close at Mile 26 (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

From a great spot at mile 26, only a few hundred yards from the finish line, fellow blogger Laurie DePrete and I got a close look at what it means to finish this grueling endeavor.
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The New York City Marathon is now days behind us, with winners crowned and participants likely recovered. Let's hope that 2011's repeat runners are giving themselves a break before starting to train! Clearly, there's nothing nearly as exhilarating as crossing the finish line: I could see that clearly in the faces that passed by me at varying rates of speed on Sunday morning. From a great spot at mile 26, only a few hundred yards from the finish line, fellow blogger Laurie DePrete and I got a close look at what it means to finish this grueling endeavor.

There didn't seem to be a single, consistent experience inside the final quarter mile of the NYC Marathon. Some walked with pained expressions after passing from Columbus Circle into Central Park. Others picked up speed in an effort to finish strong, their legs pumping thanks to an energy that comes only from determination and pride.

As completing the marathon means different things to different people, it looks different, as well.

The Runners Enter Central Park from Columbus Circle

NYC Marathon: Unobstructed View from Mile 26

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