5 reasons to see the NYC marathon live

The NYC Marathon is next Sunday and here's why you should come out and see it live:

- To be entertained: NYRR knows how to throw a party. There will be 130 bands along the course, like this one and this one and this other one. Walk around a bit and you will find something to your liking. If music isn't your thing, runners in costume aren't bad either.

- To see the elites: Running is one of the few sports where you can see the top athletes up close without paying an arm and a leg. As always, NYRR recruited top talent for the 2013 race. The field includes 2012 Men's Olympic Marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, 2012 Women's Olympic Marathon runner-up Priscah Jeptoo, 2011 and 2013 Women's Marathon World champion Edna Kiplagat, past NYC champions and top finishers (Geoffrey Mutai, Meb Keflezghi, Firehiwot Dado, Buzunesh Deba, Jelena Prokopcuka, Kim Smith) and many many other fast athletes. In addition to the prize money, there is a $500K World Marathon Majors title at stake, so you know they will be at the top of their game. Appreciate away!

- To be inspired: Right behind the elites (a little or somewhat further behind depending on your mile marker of choice), you will see 48000 or so amateurs. They won't be as fast or fit, but they will have amazing stories. Look at their faces. Again, depending on where you are you might see excitement (miles 1-5), joy (5-15), exhaustion (15-25) and joy again (25 to finish)! The last one is by far the best. So, go to Central Park. Watch the runners as they barrel down the Cat Hill, pass by the Plaza Hotel or make the last turn into the Park on Columbus Circle. Warning: This exercise, even watching this video, might result in desire to run the race. Don't fight it.

- To inspire: NYC Marathon is an audience participation game. As the official tagline says: "26.2 miles make it a race, you make it a marathon". Those 48000 runners... They have been working towards, planning for and dreaming of this day for a while and they need your help. New Yorkers of all 5-boroughs, who come out to watch the festivities and cheer all day long make the race the special event it is. Go ahead, take a spot on the sidewalk. Give a high-five to a struggling runner. Throw a "You're lookin' good!". If you have time, feel free to prepare one o' them funny marathon signs. It will put a smile on a runners face and might make you an Internet celebrity.

And finally,
- To be a part of it: New York is the definition of a big city. There are very few events that bring us together as a community and vast majority of them are negative. The Marathon is that rare positive event that transforms the whole city into a quirky small town where strangers smile at each other and cheer for other strangers. In shorts. Whatever you felt the day before, you can't help but love the city on Marathon morning. You can't help but feel you are a part of it. That was the goal of the 5-borough marathon when it started in the 70s and I bet Fred Lebow would be proud if he could see it today. Come on, join the tradition!

My fellow runners, good luck! The following video is for you. See you at the start line!