Why I'm glad I ran with my hydration belt in Berlin...and why I don't in NYC
Know what's different about aid stations in advance of a big race
Until Sunday, I never carried hydration in nearly 200 races and 34 marathons.
I decided to carry bottles for Berlin. Prior to the start, I felt silly because few runners had their own bottles. A geared-up American carrying extra weight in his own precious bottle.
It turned out carrying hydration saved me from a far greater struggle.
I still won’t do it this year in NY. Why? It comes down to 5 main factors:
Aid station frequency
Aid station accees
What’s available
Supporters
“Just in case”
Let’s go deeper into each:
1. Aid Station Frequency
• Berlin has 15 aid stations.
• New York has over 20.
It does not sound like a huge difference, but I am pretty sure the 3rd aid station in Berlin came 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) into the race!
With an aid station coming every mile in New York I don’t stress out if I can’t get to the aid station due to traffic. If I miss one, it’s no big deal.
2. Aid Station Access
• Berlin: right hand of street. Plastic cups. Dedicated areas to refill bottles.
• New York: usually both sides. Paper cups. No official refill protocol.
Even on a 10 degree Celsius day (50 Fahrenheit) I would find the Berlin aid stations chaotic. THOSE PLASTIC CUPS!
Signage for Berlin water stations did not stand out, so it was hard to get to the right side of the street and in time for the aid station.
To Berlin runners’ credit, behavior at the aid stations was incredibly orderly. And I appreciated full (albeit plastic) cups of water.
3. What’s Available
• Berlin: water at every station, tea and Maurten at a few stations.
• New York: water at every station, Gatorade Lemon-Lime at nearly every station.
For practically every mile in New York, it’s Gatorade, water. Gatorade, water. The PAPER cups are usually different, so I know what’s in each. And there are tons of signs.
4. Supporters
• Berlin: 2 iffy locations, 1 set of eyes, few random strangers.
• New York: 3 confirmed locations, multiple sets of eyes, plus random strangers.
Over 18 prior NYC marathons, I know where my family is going to be. They bring extra supplies in case I need them.
I’ve written about the angels in Brooklyn before, but there are many groups handing out water bottles, fruit and Halloween candy along the course, year after year.
5. “Just in Case”
I didn’t know what to expect and opted to be confident I’d have something with me.
I hate carrying a hydration belt on regular runs, and it’s a literal added burden for a race. But I did it anyway. It turned out to be a good decision.
In New York, there are few unknowns and the fallback is “wait for the next mile.” I feel confident leaving the bottles at home.
Final Assessment: What Should You Do?
If you can put up with Lemon-Lime Gatorade and getting bumped by other runners, I recommend not carrying your own hydration.
New York’s aid stations are so frequent and predictable. They are also on both side of the street and feel significantly longer than Berlin’s.
If you prefer another brand and like having something within arm’s reach, by all means bring a vest or a belt. I don’t recommend trying to sneak in a vest with a fillable bladder (see prohibited items list).
What’s your hydration and nutrition plan? Will you carry a bottle in New York? What’s your experience with other marathons?