For a few hours on Sunday morning, Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island became a microcosm of the world. Tens of thousands of runners from all over the world sprawled out across the start village for the New York City Marathon, making their final preparations for the race — including the final touch-ups on their race outfits.
In the interviews below, which have been edited and condensed, some of the participants shared their thoughts about their style and the day in front of them.
Carina Meixner, 28, student, and Maxi Meixner, 33, insurance specialist
Munich, Germany
Are you going to be running in those outfits?
Carina: Yes, I’m running in my wedding dress.
Maxi: And I’m in a wedding suit. We got married recently. Our wedding outfits.
Carina: From three months ago.
So, it’s efficient; you’re recycling them. Some people put them away and never use them again.
Carina: Normally, you wear a wedding dress only once, but I thought I’d wear it twice.
Maxi: We thought this is the best honeymoon.
How are you enjoying New York on your honeymoon?
Maxi: We just knew from movies and from the TV, and when you’re here, the vibe in the city — it’s not describable.
Are you worried that the outfits are going to get damaged while you’re running?
Carina: No.
Maxi: It’s just all about the experience.
How’s married life?
Maxi: She makes the decisions, and I just do what she says.
Tell me about your inspiration.
I love Banza pasta so much, and I just had to run dressed as the box of Banza.
What do you like about it?
It’s chickpea-based. It’s gluten free. And I kind of like the consistency; it’s a little chewier. I enjoy that.
Do you think the chickpea-base makes it more aerodynamic?
I’m nervous that if it’s windy I’m going to get blown in the wrong direction, but if there’s a tailwind I might set a world record.
And you’re worried about competitors?
Only from other pasta brands.
Tell me about your carbo loading.
Two boxes of chickpea Banza pasta. Lots of fiber.
What’s your favorite carb?
Pasta.
I can’t believe I’m 30 years old dressed as a box of pasta.
Did Banza ask you to wear the outfit?
Did you see the Statue of Liberty on the ferry?
I did. I took a picture with it.
How did that make you feel?
Majestical, excited, great energy.
Are you going to run the race in the outfit?
Yes.
What if the hat falls off?
I’ll pick it up.
Are you going to hold the torch the whole time?
That’s the plan. But it’ll be vibes-based.
Why didn’t you wear a San Francisco outfit?
Because I’m running the New York marathon.
Which city is better?
Is it your birthday?
It is my birthday.
How do you feel?
I feel amazing. This has been a literal dream come true.
You have the “it’s my birthday” glasses.
Yes, and I’m going to put these on when we get on the bridge.
What does the sash say?
Birthday girl. It’s gold with a little trim on it. So if you see me, say “Happy birthday.”
Are you going to run with the sash on?
I’m going to run with the sash on the whole 26.
What if it falls?
It’s not going to fall.
Barry Goldmeier, 62, retired
Rockville, Maryland
What’s your name?
I’m the drubbler. It’s like dribbling and juggling.
Do you love the Knicks?
Well, I mean, I was rooting for them. I’m actually from Washington, D.C.
Are you going to dribble while running?
Yeah. I’m not going to be able to do the whole thing. I’ll probably go like 18 or 20 miles and then it’ll get dark and I’ll have to stop. There are parts where I don’t juggle because I don’t want to lose them — and safety and stuff like that.
Knicks in five this year?
I don’t know. I guess if they won in seven that would be great, too.
Did you use this for your Halloween outfit yesterday?
No, I did not. It’s just for the race.
How long ago did you pick it out?
About a few days ago, since I had a really bad stomach bug leading up to the race so I’m very empty so I am eating my carbo-loading meal while I’m running. Just like the hungry caterpillar.
Is it aerodynamic?
I sure hope so.
Where did you get the inspiration?
It was my favorite book growing up.
Will you have nutrients along the way?
Yes, I have a lot of friends scattered around the course, with some snacks to feed the hungry caterpillar. I’m just going to be munching my way, inching my way toward the finish line one snack after another.
Drew Hsu, 32, run club founder
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
When did you do this to your hair?
Last night, it took ages actually.
How long are we talking?
Hours, like eight hours. I didn’t even prepare for today because I was scrambling yesterday.
So you haven’t trained at all, mostly just focused on the hair?
The hair was the main priority today. The second priority is running.
Did you also use it for Halloween?
I was asleep at 12, waking up at 3. So if that’s Halloween, that’s Halloween.
So three hours of sleep?
Something like that.
Wyatt Moss, 24, social media curator
Atlanta
What is this outfit?
It’s a tux. I ran it two years ago, in my dad’s wedding tux. I wanted to follow it up with something that looked pretty similar.
This is actually a special occasion. It’s my 108th marathon in three years.
That’s a lot of marathons. Have you run every single one in a tux?
Not every single one.
Are the white pants going to get dirty?
Oh, they already are. I stayed awake last night. I never went to sleep because it was Halloween. So I went out to the bars. I went to the haunted house, to the pub, to a party. Now I’m here.
So you didn’t sleep last night?
No, no, I’ve been awake since yesterday morning when I woke up and went to the shakeout run.
Is that concerning?
To who?
Fair enough.
Harm Sassen, 45, truck driver
Ter Apel, Netherlands
Are you going to run in the Christmas tree?
Yes, yes, yes.
Is it going to get warm?
I hope not.
Isn’t it a little early for Christmas?
It’s on the corner. Next week there is the Christmas tree in New York, I have heard.
Are you going to go to the Christmas tree?
No, we’re going home Monday.
Gianni Stelitano, 60, first aid medic
Udine, Italy
What are you wearing on your head?
It’s a chicken. But for me, it’s a little eagle because it’s our flag. We come from the northeast of Italy. This is the flag of our land: Friuli.
Are you going to run with it?
Absolutely. It’s our 11th time here together. Chicken man.
What if the chicken falls off?
No, no, no. He is the athlete, not me.
Did you train in this outfit?
No, I found it yesterday.
Are you going to be running in it?
No, I’m going to leave it before the start.
Are you going to try to go back and get it afterward?
I want so much. It’s sad that I should leave it, because it is definitely cool. But I just hope that maybe the next person will find it next year and do it once more.
To pass it onto the next generation?
Yes, absolutely.
Bella Kim, 25, sustainability data analyst
Financial District, Manhattan
Where’d you get the clips?
I got the clips from Amazon. I’ve seen a lot through Instagram, so I just got inspired from other runners.
Tell me about the sparkles.
Glitter makes you faster.
What’s the goal for today?
The goal for today is to hug all of my friends and family. I have family coming in from Korea who are here to see me run in this marathon for the first time.
Why stars for the clips?
It’s kind of like a shoot for the moon and stars kind of inspiration.
Nina Moyer, 44, human resources manager
Frankfurt
Tell me about your outfit.
I got inspired during the London Marathon. I saw a lady wearing exactly that outfit, and that’s why I purchased that. And I thought it looks warm and nice.
Did she also have a bagel tucked into the pocket?
No, she did not.
And you’re double fisting cups of coffee.
Yes, I am.
What would you call what you’re wearing?
It’s my queen outfit.
