More than 50,000 people participated in the New York City Marathon this year. For many runners, by the time they crossed the Queensboro Bridge and entered Manhattan on First Avenue near the mile 16 point they were starting to feel the effects in their bodies and it was beginning to show on their faces.
Here’s a look at how stressful it can be to compete in the New York City Marathon.
Runners step on used water cups discarded on the street during the 2019 New York City Marathon, Nov. 3, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Despite running 16 miles in three boroughs this runner finds a smile while running up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A woman continues to push herself while running up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Crowds holds up signs as runners as they race up First Avenue. (Photo; Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Volunteers hold out cups of water during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Runners step on used water cups discarded on the street during the 2019 New York City Marathon, Nov. 3, 2019. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A participant trudges up First Ave. passing mile 16 of the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner gives a thumbs up during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner heads up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Crowds holds up signs as runners as they race up First Avenue. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A man attempts to take a gulp of water while running up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner cools himself off with water while running up First Avenue just past the 16th mille point during the 2019 New York City Marathon.. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner refreshes himself off with water while running past the 16th mille point during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A woman drinks from a cup of water as she grabs another while running up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner gets some needed relief after dousing himeslf with water while running up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner grabs a cup of water to drink and wear on First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A woman looks like she can’t wait to see the finishing line as she runs up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner cools himself off with water while running up First Avenue just past the 16th mille point during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner gives a thumbs up while running up First Avenue just past the 16th mille point during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Runners make their way north on First Avenue during the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon. Established in 1970, the annual race winds through all of New York City's five boroughs. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Albert Korir of Kenya leads the pack on First Avenue during the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, November 3, 2019 in New York City. Established in 1970, the annual race winds through all of New York City's five boroughs. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A runner grabs a cup of water as they run on First Avenue during the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, November 3, 2019 in the Upper East Side neighborhood in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Established in 1970, the annual race winds through all of New York City's five boroughs.(Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A man gulps a cup of water while running up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A woman is all smiles as she runs up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A woman gives a thumbs up as she runs up First Avenue during the 2019 New York City Marathon (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
These runners feel the pain as they run up First Avenue just past the 16th mille point during the 2019 New York City Marathon. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
PHOTOS: Feeling the pain and joy of running the New York City Marathon »
Photos taken using a Canon EOS-1D X II, EOS-1D X DSLR with a Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Lens, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens and EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens.