**From Olympians to Seasoned Veterans: The Aspirations of New York Marathon Runners** This Sunday, over 50,000 runners will tackle the challenging 26.2-mile course that stretches from Staten Island to Central Park. The New York City Marathon is renowned for being one of the most demanding races among the world’s major marathons. New York is a city characterized by its unpredictability. Even the simplest of journeys can quickly become complicated—whether due to sudden road closures, unreliable subway services, or the unique navigation styles of taxi drivers, what should be a straightforward trip can turn into a lengthy and often frustrating ordeal. The same unpredictability applies to the city’s marathon.