Case Study: Jimmy Jib at NYC Marathon

How we've kept the New York City Marathon looking cinematic for 15 years.

5 Jimmy Jibs • 15 years • 0 retakes

July 1, 2025

Jimmy Jib at NYC Marathon

Matt Sweet

The Challenge

Since this event is a marathon, there is exactly 26.2 miles to cover. It is important to capture high impact visuals without obstructing the race or flow of the city.

Production Overview

Site Locations

Five NYC Boroughs, Public Streets

Equipment:

1x Jimmy Jib / Borough Site (5 Total)

Crew:

2x Camera Operator / Jimmy Jib

Day One: Setup and Rehearsals (Day Before the Race)

  1. Our Crew
    • Two crew members are dispatched to each designated jib position
  2. Site Scouting and Positioning
    • Each crew arrives at their assigned location to set up the jib and camera equipment.
    • Teams work with production staff to finalize jib placement and cable runs.
  3. Jib Build and Integration
    • Jibs are constructed and integrated with the production's camera, communication systems, and power sources.
  4. Rehearsals with Director
    • Each crew conducts rehearsals with the director to plan camera movements, timings, and shot coordination.
  5. Weatherproofing and Safety Checks
    • All gear is secured and weatherproofed for overnight stability and readiness for the next day's shoot.
    • Crew members are briefed on safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Day Two: Live Broadcast Day

  1. Early Morning Arrival
    • The crew members arrive before sunrise to uncover and recheck the jib systems.
  2. Final Setup and Broadcast Launch
    • Once everything is fully operational, the live broadcast begins
  3. Post-Event Breakdown
    • After the event, each jib is broken down and packed — typically within one hour — then loaded out for transport

The Solution - Why Choose Jimmy Jib by JitaCam?

Our Jimmy Jib made it possible to capture sweeping, high-impact shots from key points along the course withought obstructing or interfering with the event or the city.

With highly experienced operators and a well-coordinated plan, we ensured that every critical moment of the marathon was captured in stunning detail, providing viewers with an immersive experience.

Results - Why we keep getting called back

Over the past 15 years, we've successfully deployed our Jimmy Jib systems at the New York City Marathon without a single retake. Our ability to consistently deliver high-quality footage while adhering to the event's strict guidelines has made us a trusted partner for broadcasters covering this iconic event.

Read More Blogs

May 15, 2025

Why choose the Jimmy Jib?

Contact Banner

Let's make your vision a reality

Contact Us
JitaCam Small Logo

Contact Us

Give us a call:

(914) 623-8452

Email:

info@jitacam.com

Address:

47 Westgate Dr.

Sparta, NJ 07871

Follow Us