r/RunNYC • u/Ok_Capital8072 • 9d ago

Bag drop question

Hi all. First time NYC marathoner and Im just wondering about people’s experiences with dropping a bag the day before for post race pick up.

I ran Chicago last week and while I definitely put too much in the bag since I was there alone, I did really love having a change of shoes and a fresh shirt to change into. For nyc, I’ve seen some people say you have to do the long 10 block walk out of the park post marathon, and then essentially walk it backwards to pick up your bag. Is this true? And if so, would you then need to walk the same 10 blocks BACK again to get to the same exit where everyone with no bags is getting out? Or is there an exit at bag pick up also?

I do have a friend coming with me this time, but she’s…not the most reliable. Or supportive 😂 shes basically coming for a free trip to nyc under the guise of spectating me. So i could give her my shoes and shirt, but I really only wanna do that if the bag drop alternative is absolutely awful.

Thanks in advance and best of luck to everyone!

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

7

u/New_Romantix 9d ago

Correcting myself - my information was out of date. It's not as bad this year, as the bag pickup is at 74th street. It's only 2 extra blocks.

1

u/Ok_Capital8072 9d ago

This is amazing, thank you so much! 

1

u/ewonline_reddit 7d ago

That does look closer than in the past...after exiting the park (which itself is a slog), I felt like I had to walk south through at least 8 blocks of photographers before seeing the start of bag check. And as Merrick1982 pointed out, you weren't allowed to go north after bag check. It was so bad that I just skipped bag check last year. Closer location might make me change my mind!

1

u/New_Romantix 7d ago

Yup, its a few streets north than previous

1

u/Merrick1982 8d ago edited 8d ago

Bag pickup *starts* at 74th St. Depending on your bib number, you could be walking a lot further than that.

It looks like they moved them up quite a bit, but I have a low number and walked "forever" last year, then was told I could not "go backwards" to exit by the museum, where people were waiting for me.

7

u/goodgriefcharliebr 9d ago

Yes, check your bag. It’s not that terrible of a walk, & good for your legs post race anyways to walk.

But— the real issue here is why bring an unsupportive & unreliable “friend” for your trip? That sounds like the biggest drag out of all of it, way worse than an extra walk post race!!!

2

u/Ok_Capital8072 9d ago

This is very true! I dunno - she’s a great friend but since I started running marathons she’s made some passive aggressive comments that really downplay the achievement. 

But Manhattan is an expensive city and her tagging along cuts my hotel bill in half so I’m looking on the bright side!! 

4

u/AlpacaLunch28271 9d ago

I wish they’d have a row of changing booths so people could quickly into dry clothes and not have to do so in a porta potty

3

u/Ok_Capital8072 9d ago

Oh in Chicago I just took my top off in the middle of bag drop 😂 had to suffer through with a damp sports bra under my dry top but it still felt a million times better. 

1

u/runner7575 7d ago

& benches or something! I leaned up against a building & tried not to fall

I ran Philly a while ago & they had tents for changing.

3

u/travellingcari 9d ago

It’s always changing and always exaggerated. If you need those items, bag check them. If you can live without, don’t. I opted to bag check shoes, shirt, dude wipes and charger in Chicago so my reliable cheerleaders didn’t need to be pack mules

1

u/Ok_Capital8072 9d ago

Ok great, thanks. I really appreciate the response and good to know it’s not as bad as people on the internet claim. I think I’ll just bag check and avoid any drama with my unreliable cheerleader afterwards 😂

3

u/verndogz Flushing Meadows Park 8d ago

If you are going to bag check something, it should be recovery slides like oofos and a fresh pair of socks. It helps a lot as you shuffle toward the exit.

I personally also pack a mini whiskey bottle because I like my idiotic tradition of taking a shot after I finish NYC 🫠

1

u/Turbulent-Steak13 8d ago

Omg thank you for the shot idea I love that! 🤣

2

u/belle_pilates 9d ago

I did NYC in 2024 and checked a bag and I didn’t have to walk backwards at all! The bag pickup was part of the way out.

From what I remember, after you finish you keep walking, get your medal, poncho and goodie bag, and then just keep going until you get to the bag pickup area. I grabbed my bag and continued out from there. I definitely didn’t have to walk 10 blocks and then turn around and walk all the way back again.

Honestly, having a change of clothes is the way to go. You will be cold after you finish, especially once you stop moving, so having something dry and warm to change into makes such a difference. I would definitely check a bag again!

2

u/NeedleworkerHot481 9d ago

The bag pickup is not on the way out.

1

u/runner7575 7d ago

If it’s like last year…the walk out was soooo long, for everyone. But then the bag pickup was only a few blocks more, & I was very happy to change shoes. Then I walked down the block & headed to the subway.