On Sunday, social media feeds were bursting at the seams with content from the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon. While the creative signs held up by fans were probably the funniest we’ve seen, several other hilarious and wholesome moments stood out even more.
Here are our favourite four moments from this year’s race through the Big Apple.
1. This dog who ran her fourth marathon
@tylerbui Doggie running the NYC Marathon #nycmarathon #nycmarathon2024 #marathon #newyorkmarathon #runner #newyork ♬ Hustlin by Double A Ron – Double A-Ron
Florida’s marathon star, an Australian Shepherd named Sydney the Service Aussie, sported her own green shades, neon orange vest and running shoes while taking on her fourth marathon. She ran alongside her owner, Shirley Rincon; together, as they ran a sub-eight-hour marathon (7:58:20).
@emondo18 Staying hyrdated mile 16.5 #newyorkmarathon ♬ original sound – skingasm
Videos posted by shocked onlookers captured Sydney staying hydrated at water stations and strutting across the finish line. On her personal TikTok account, the pup revealed she trains for these endurance events by running on the treadmill.
@whereshegostiktok This dog was one of my favorite finishers @TCS New York City Marathon #nyc #nycmarathon #nymarathon #running #marathon #tcsnycmarathon #marathonfinisher #medal #centralpark #nyclife #nyctiktok #marathontiktok #dogs ♬ SHE IS THE MOMENT – haley
2. The John fan club
@bharrishudson Best day of the year 🫶 #nycmarathon @Kin @Branden Basche ♬ Evergreen – Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners
This group chose a random (but very common) name–John–and made a sign, chanting “John” at groups of racers as they passed by, hoping one of them would be named John. With nearly 500 Johns registered in the event, the John Fan Club received many enthusiastic responses from the race participants when each John saw the group of strangers cheering them on.
3. This pup spreading the “zoomies”
@beckhamthegolden Best. boops. ever. Congrats NYC Marathoners!! You did it 🤩 #boop #nycmarathon #nycmarathon2024 #nyc #newyorkcity ♬ Everybody Wants To Rule The World X Electric Love – darcy stokes
Beckham the Golden, a dog with 13,000 followers on Instagram, showed up to cheer with a sign that said “Boop for zoomies,” encouraging runners to tap him on the nose for a burst of energy to power them through their race.
@beckhamthegolden High-fives & serotonin boosts at the #nycmarathon #goldenretrievers #highfive @WhatIsNewYork @DogsOf TikTok @NBC New York @Good Morning America ♬ Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down – Alicia Keys
The golden retriever has been a faithful supporter at the NYC Marathon since 2021, showing up to offer pets and high fives to runners to encourage them mid-race. In 2021, he sat with a high that said “Free high fives”, and in 2022, his sign read “Pet crew”, replacing the pit crew support team you’d see in car racing.
4. This racer having a little too much fun
@justinehuang_ @DianaBidea Music YOU GOT ME THROUGH THE REST OF THE MARATHON #nycmarathon #running #prosecco ♬ original sound – justine
Justine Huang of L.A. had a little buzz to get her through her run; the 26-year-old chugged a cup of Prosecco mid-race, provided by a cheer squad who had set up their own “fueling” station alongside the course.
@barstoolsports Thats one why to do the NYC Marathon 🤣 @Barstool New York (via:@sadieekins ♬ original sound – sadieekins
Videos captured by her friends showed Huang later in the race, joyfully exclaiming that she was drunk. The runner still managed to cross the line in 5:39:19.
