GUIDE RUNNER FAQ

It is best for athlete-guide pairings to physically train with each other as much as possible.

Athletes register for the NYC Marathon before selecting guides.

In the Spring, NYRR asks the registered athlete for the name and email address of their selected guide(s).

If you are already an active member please let your Chapter Lead know that you are interested in guiding in the NYC Marathon.

Yes. Please be sure that you follow the procedure with your athlete and NYRR to properly register in the NYRR system as a guide by by the deadline with NYRR. The match will need to be noted on your race number for race day transportation, corral placement, etc.

Please communicate your update with your athlete and contact Michal Kislev Reshef at mkislev-reshef@achillesinternational.org immediately.

If you received a complimentary entry into the NYC Marathon as a guide, your name will not appear in the results. If you purchased your own entry into the race, your name will appear in the results and you’ll receive credit for completing the event.

Timing and further detail regarding the NYC Marathon Expo will be announced at a later date on the NYRR NYC Marathon webpage. It is strongly suggested to attend Expo with your athlete. At the Expo, your first step is to stop by the NYRR AWD booth and pick up your race number and your NYC Marathon souvenir shirt. Next, please stop by the Achilles info booth to say hello to our team and pick up a new Achilles guide jersey for the big day. Please remember that for safety reasons it is important that all participants sport their Achilles racing jersey.

Visit the Achilles Shop online here to order gear, including shirts, water bottles, hats and more.

Yes we do!  We secure a hotel block each year.  We gather information through Rosterfy in the spring.  We finalize our hotel list at the end of August.

Yes, Achilles will host a Pre-Marathon Celebration at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square on Friday night.

*This event is invite only for athletes, guides and charity runners. Details will be emailed to eligible participants.

NYRR will provide information on bag check for AWDs and Guides via email. This information will be provided by NYRR and not by Achilles International.

Rest assured that any athletes’ adaptive/medical equipment they need before the Start will be able to be checked at the start village shortly before all are moved to the actual start line. All baggage should be marked with the person’s name, phone number, “Achilles,” and ideally their race number. Baggage may be retrieved at the AWD post-finish area. If for some reason you and your athlete finish after 5:00pm on race day, baggage will likely be moved to the actual Finish line. NYRR volunteers and staff as well as Achilles staff and volunteers will be tracking this.

If you are before mile 13.6 (in Queens):

Try to escort your athlete to that Standby Guide Exchange point so they can get a standby guide to swap in.

If you are one of two guides, please exit the racecourse and have the co-guide and athlete continue to the standby guide station if they need to add a new co-guide at that point to complete the race with.

If you are after the 13.6 mile marker/Standby Guide Exchange point:

If you are one of two guides, please exit the racecourse.

If you are the only guide, do not leave your athlete. Exit the course safely. Call the Achilles POC at the Standby Guide Station to discuss any possible next steps. Phone number will be provided at Expo. Contact to discuss next steps.

Please check back for details on exact cheer station locations.

Tell all your friends and family to come cheer! They can join for an hour or stay the whole time - we promise it will be great!

If you received a complimentary entry into the NYC Marathon as a guide, your time will not be tracked. If your friends and family would like to track you and your AWDs progress, please provide them with the name and bib number for the athlete you are guiding. If you purchased your own entry into the race, you can be tracked on the NYC Marathon app.

NYRR manages the finish line and post finish line plans but we should expect something similar to what has been done in the past.

1. Be super proud of yourself!

2. Once an athlete (and perhaps guide) crosses the Finish line you get your medal, get an official photo taken if you’d like, get a fuel/food bag and then stay to the left and exit Central Park heading West (left) on 72nd Street. There should be Achilles volunteers spotting to usher you out this way, but please look lively so you do not miss your exit. This exit is an accommodation for all AWD’s. The rest of the participants continue north (straight), so you want to be sure not to miss it. If you check baggage, it will be held for you outside of this special exit.

In addition to race participants, only medical personnel, Achilles staff and credentialed volunteers will be permitted into the post-finish area. This area is simply a pit-stop to collect your baggage and exit the race area. Please make arrangements with your loved ones to meet you outside the race area.

Achilles will have a small fleet of minivans to transport as many athletes as possible on a rolling basis from the post finish area to the Element hotel on West 39th Street. If you need to go elsewhere, please make arrangements. There are several Subway train stations and buses on the Upper West Side that are within a 5 to 15 minute stroll from the AWD post finish area. It is also possible to catch a taxi, Lyft or Uber - but be mindful of the volume of people and plan accordingly.