The TCS New York City Marathon course is a 26.2-mile block party through the world’s most diverse city, and a model for big-city marathons around the world. As the most popular and inclusive marathon in the world, the event attracts the world’s top professional athletes and a vast range of …
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The TCS New York City Marathon course is a 26.2-mile block party through the world’s most diverse city, and a model for big-city marathons around the world. As the most popular and inclusive marathon in the world, the event attracts the world’s top professional athletes and a vast range of recreational runners.
The race began in 1970 with just 127 entrants racing four laps of Central Park. Today, an estimated 47,500 to 50,000 runners from around the world tour New York City’s five boroughs, starting on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and finishing in Central Park. Participants include Olympians, Paralympians, wheelchair racers, top age-group competitors, and many thousands who run for charity and to achieve their own personal goals. Millions of fans cheer the runners from the streets and watch the global television broadcast. The race is part of the World Marathon Majors, an alliance of the world’s six biggest marathons that determines each year’s top male and top female marathoner. The TCS New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners, the world’s foremost community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running.
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New York Never Disappoints
Tough race to actually race great race to enjoy easy run with a friend. Went for a sub 3:00 and the course and a little heat ate me up. Any … MORE
Tough race to actually race great race to enjoy easy run with a friend. Went for a sub 3:00 and the course and a little heat ate me up. Any chance you get to run NY you should do it!!
So Glad I Ran NYC!
This was my first marathon since 2008, and so glad I came out of "retirement" to run NYC. For me, race day was culmination of all the training and fundraising … MORE
This was my first marathon since 2008, and so glad I came out of “retirement” to run NYC. For me, race day was culmination of all the training and fundraising that I did. From the buzz at the expo through to the finish line, it was everything I expected. And loved it.
The Greatest Marathon Energy on Earth
I absolutely loved running the NYC Marathon! The energy of the crowds from start to finish is unlike anything else—constant cheering, music, and encouragement around every corner. Running it with … MORE
I absolutely loved running the NYC Marathon! The energy of the crowds from start to finish is unlike anything else—constant cheering, music, and encouragement around every corner. Running it with my daughter made it even more special. The final stretch through Central Park is pure magic. Such a fun, unforgettable race—I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Nothing Like It!
2025 was the 4th time I ran NYC, and it was best time for NYC, and my second best for the 10 marathons I have run. I even (surprisingly) beat … MORE
2025 was the 4th time I ran NYC, and it was best time for NYC, and my second best for the 10 marathons I have run. I even (surprisingly) beat my Boston time!
NYC is the toughest marathon I have ever run. It has 5 bridges and a big hill at the end. However, the crowd support is truly amazing, and there is no greater feeling (except for the Boston finish) than crossing that finish line in Central Park. The medal this year, which contained a replica of the course’s elevation gain was stylish, clever, and sophisticated. The weather was a tad warmer than it was last year, but nothing like the notoriously warm 2022 weather.
Now, the downside:
Aside the elevation, which is the be expected, the NYC is WAY TOO crowded nowadays. Over 59K runners raced it this year. Even though I started in Wave 1, I found myself zig zagging around people for quite a number of miles. There is a bottleneck when you leave the Verrazano and enter Brooklyn. Even at some of the later stages, I found myself elbowing against other runners. The NYRR really needs to do something about the amount of runners they allow today.
All in all, a truly unique experience. When I crossed the finish line, Bill and Hillary Clinton were there (their daughter Chelsea was running it for what I believe was the third time). But, the course is, unfortunately, much too crowded.
NYC Energy is Unmatched
The expo was fantastic and well run. The race shirt is nice and light. The purchasable merchandise was high quality but pricey. The logistics of getting to the start line … MORE
The expo was fantastic and well run. The race shirt is nice and light. The purchasable merchandise was high quality but pricey. The logistics of getting to the start line can be tricky if you don’t plan ahead, but if you figure it all out ahead of time, it is pretty straight forward. The crowds along the course are massive and a huge help especially once you get back into Manhattan.
The Big Apple with Big crowds
This is a top tier marathon experience. Beginning with the expo on Saturday. Plenty of room for all vendors. Packet pickup was straight forward. Unlike Chicago and Berlin, there is … MORE
This is a top tier marathon experience. Beginning with the expo on Saturday. Plenty of room for all vendors. Packet pickup was straight forward. Unlike Chicago and Berlin, there is no security to enter. Tech shirts run true to size. You then enter the new balance store where there is plenty of official gear. Afterward you enter the official expo. There were a lot of marathons booths to register for. There is also some free samples of protein shakes, vitamins, seltzer, probiotics. There was a nice gift store where I snagged a magnet. There is also an official poster for a steep $65.
For the race, I stayed in Staten Island and got dropped off at mcclean & ocean ave. I then walked through security before entering runners village. The village included an area with bagels, dunkin coffee, dunkin complimentary beanies. I didn’t partake in any, as I already had my nutrition. You then moved on to bag drop off. There were plenty of port a potties in the village. I then went under the Verrazano bridge to my corral. The marathon gun began promptly at 9:10. C.C Sabathia formerly of the Yankees was this years grand marshal. There were three starting routes at the start line. I began on the bottom of the Verrazano bridge. The run begins a little steep, but not to bad before going downhill to Brooklyn. Once in Brooklyn, the crowds and party begins. Droves of people on each side, and EVEN on top of roofs with signs. Around mile 5 all three starting points meet together. This is where things become congested. You then enter what appears to be a Jewish community where things get quiet, with no crowds allowed. Then back to the crowds. The streets of Brooklyn are quite rough so watch your footing. You hit your first bridge at mile 13 before going downhill. There were several bridges afterward when entering queens and manhatten. You will also need to prepare for hills including the mcclean bridge. There were many water/electrolyte/aid stations at about ever three or so miles. The weather was great this year. Not a cloud in the sky, cool with a high of 56 degrees. The crowds along this course alone were insane (in a good way). Great views of skyscrapers and old architecture along the course. The last few miles had a lot of rolling hills in the park, but the crowds get you through it. This is where I ran my fastest miles. I like how at the end they mark your distance in meters 800m, 500m, 200m, 100m, 30m. Crossing the finish line was an unforgettable experience with stadium seats. I even heard my name along the pa announcer. The finisher medal this year was beautiful, gold and the edges showed the elevation profile to remember the areas of pain. After picking up your medal, you enter a long shoot where you get a nice clear tote bag with an aluminum water, lemonade Gatorade, Snyder pretzels, enery bar and of course an apple. You then walk what seems to be another quarter mile and receive a nice huge poncho to wear. This really was nice to have as you exit Central Park. What the marathon should add is more photographers, especially in the early miles in the run. The photographers appears to be all together when they were present. For the price of the event, there should be more nutrition at the finish line. They should also not have runners walk so far to exit Central Park after finishing. I also could not locate any port a potties after the finish line, and ended up exiting Central Park without going to the bathroom when I needed to go. It was like a mile walk. All in all top notch and if you can get in, DO IT!
Super Iconic race!
I love this race. It is not for the light of heart though. Difficult to do all those bridges and the crowd and other sounds are load as hell! That … MORE
I love this race. It is not for the light of heart though. Difficult to do all those bridges and the crowd and other sounds are load as hell! That said, it is a worthwhile race to do at least once. I am on my 4th time around now!
Cool Experience
The New York marathon was a very cool experience and I'm glad I did it. However, for me personally, this was not a marathon I would want to do again- … MORE
The New York marathon was a very cool experience and I’m glad I did it. However, for me personally, this was not a marathon I would want to do again- It was insane. There were soooooooo many people- spectators and runners. However, you may love this!!
Once in a life time!
NYC marathon is to try at least once in your life time. I live here and it was another level of experience. The crowd cheer you like you are the … MORE
NYC marathon is to try at least once in your life time. I live here and it was another level of experience. The crowd cheer you like you are the best friend. You also meet people during the long waiting time at the start village and along the route. It is absolutely a moving experience to everyone.
A ~VERY~ New York Race
The NYC Marathon is an iconic race about which many runners are already familiar. Other reviews and websites go over the logistics of the race and qualifying, so here're just … MORE
The NYC Marathon is an iconic race about which many runners are already familiar. Other reviews and websites go over the logistics of the race and qualifying, so here’re just my thoughts from my perspectives:
What worked:
The process of picking up the bib and shirt, dropping off my bag, and getting to the transport option I selected were all relatively smooth. The starting area (note: I drew “pink” start) featured coffee, donuts, water, a jumbotron, alerts broadcast in several languages, a plethora of porta-potties, and donation bins for clothing discard. (There was no bag drop at the start line, which was made clear many times prior to race day.) The course itself was easy to follow and did not strike me as technical with sharp bends – only two come to mind: a tight right-hand 90˚ in Brooklyn around mile 8.5, and a 180˚ hairpin coming off the Queensboro onto 1st Ave. Medical support was abundant after crossing the line, just keep moving!
What could have been better:
Keeping in mind that this race is organized for 50,000+ people, there is only so much refinement that can happen. That said, the expo itself was a bit awkward. To get to the vendors you had to get through the New Balance store. This is fine if you want swag, but produced a bit of a bottleneck. Additionally, the expo felt a bit small compared to what I experienced in Chicago two years ago – fewer freebies, fewer booths about other marathons, and not as many swag shops except for socks/shoes/hats. A wider variety of vendors would be nice to see. On race day, getting onto the buses – I chose the 5AM option from Bryant Park – was a little chaotic as there did not seem to be vetting on who registered for what bus at what time and some volunteers were caught off guard to load buses. My bus left with a few empty seats. Fast forward to after the race, and runners are herded through medal, recovery bag, and poncho pickups before exiting the park. Don’t stop walking unless you need medical. The attention by the staff was supreme, but it would have been nice to utilize the park a bit more for meeting friends and family. Ultimately after the race you will walk up to a mile before being thrust back into the city. “You’ve run the race! Congrats! Now leave.”
Overall?
I enjoyed the time. The exuberant crowds provided ample energy and distraction to a point where it didn’t feel like 3.5hours of running! Most of my critiques are nitpicks, yet caught me off guard when compared to other marathons of similar and smaller size.
Running is FUN at NYC Marathon
The race is well organized and monitored by the staff and volunteers. I enjoyed every mile of it except for the Queensboro Bridge. Make sure to practice gradual long inclines … MORE
The race is well organized and monitored by the staff and volunteers. I enjoyed every mile of it except for the Queensboro Bridge. Make sure to practice gradual long inclines in your training as there are two big ones.
Crowds are INCREDIBLE at every mile and borough. No need for even a water bottle. Every mile after three had water and gatorade. SIS gels were available at mile 12 and 18. The signs from the crowds were entertaining. It is a bucket list item for me and I am already considering doing it again. Weather was 10/10. Low 50’s.
City of Dreams
TCS New York City Marathon was EVERYTHING runners says it is. The course was challenging, the crowds were electric, the energy was on fire. I am glad that I received … MORE
TCS New York City Marathon was EVERYTHING runners says it is. The course was challenging, the crowds were electric, the energy was on fire. I am glad that I received my first WMM in the Big Apple. My biggest advice is run the course to enjoy it, don’t run it for time or you will miss the experience. I ran it with no expectations or pressure on myself. If ever afforded the opportunity to run it again, I would without hesitation.
NYC '24
The weather was perfect! The buses were better than the last time, the ferry was quick. Running in NYC is a once in a lifetime experience, the crowds are insane, … MORE
The weather was perfect! The buses were better than the last time, the ferry was quick. Running in NYC is a once in a lifetime experience, the crowds are insane, everyone comes out to cheer you on. The signs are hilarious – “Pain in French means bread” was a standout this year.
Great race
Unbelievable crowds that cheer you up during the entire race, unforgettable experience. You have no time to think about how tired you are, the crowd just keeps you running. One … MORE
Unbelievable crowds that cheer you up during the entire race, unforgettable experience. You have no time to think about how tired you are, the crowd just keeps you running. One of a kind!
BEST MARATHON IN THE WORLD!
Running/Walking through the five NYC burroughs and getting to see the neighborhoods up so close was amazing! The support was amazing, the route was fantastic, the volunteers .... ALL OF … MORE
Running/Walking through the five NYC burroughs and getting to see the neighborhoods up so close was amazing! The support was amazing, the route was fantastic, the volunteers …. ALL OF IT is so incredible! I really wanted to soak this one in so I was not going for time but just to finish and I did! 🙂
Mixed Bag...Hear Me Out!
I admit this may be an unpopular point of view but hear me out. Before I get to the "but" I am a New Yorker through and through. Born and … MORE
I admit this may be an unpopular point of view but hear me out.
Before I get to the “but” I am a New Yorker through and through. Born and raised and still work in the city. I love NYC. As for the race, we know it is one of the IT races in the world. It will be hard to find a race with this much noise and crowd support and music along the route. The expo is enormous, the medal is awesome, you get a quality post race poncho and bag of goodies. You get to run the 5 boroughs and traverse some bridges. All these things are 100% true (and here it is) BUT there are certain things you should know about if you’ve never done this race. First, do yourself the favor and run this race at least once. I’m not trying to discourage anyone from doing it.
I’ve done this race 5 times. My biggest peeve is getting to the race start. Unless you live in Staten Island or get dropped off there by someone. It’s a pain in the neck and time consuming to get to the race start. Your options are the midtown bus or the ferry. Either way there are lots of lines and crowds and waiting. I live in Jersey now. My wave started at 9:10 and I had to wake up at 4:15 to get to my midtown bus. That’s 5 hours of waiting and commuting before the race begins. It’s a long haul and at least for me I felt tired even before the race began. I understand there are 50k people running and it makes for tough logistics. But it’s a pain. Another one of my peeves is how loud it is. Don’t get me wrong, I love crowd support. You see some great signs and support. But between the crowds and bands playing along the route, my head felt oversaturated with the stimulus of sound. I’ve heard others say the same, so it’s not just me. If noise bothers you, playing music in your earphones may help drown out the noise. But conversely, others live for it. I respect that. The other issue I have is that it is a slow crawl to get out of the park once you are done. You have to walk a lot and it takes time to get out. It sucks when you are cold and tired and just want to leave.
Aside from my peeves, I do need to shout out the amazing volunteers. There are tons of water/ Gatorade stations. They give gels and even Vaseline, bananas and oranges. You also see a lot of medical and other race volunteers after the race attending to people and asking if anyone needs help. They truly take care of the runners and their well being. Lastly, I’ll comment on the race course. I don’t think it is too hilly. The worst is the bridges. The Queensborough bridge seems to be the toughest hill and it is very quiet there. You mostly hear breathing and the pitter patter of steps. It’s not an easy course but not difficult either. I’ve run NYC 5x, Philly, Jersey City and Delaware. All are special but NYC is not my favorite. But it could be yours.
Great race but expected better
It’s a hard course. Waiting around all morning for your assigned wave can wear you out. Smell off pot everywhere which can be nauseating. But great experience and tour of … MORE
It’s a hard course. Waiting around all morning for your assigned wave can wear you out. Smell off pot everywhere which can be nauseating. But great experience and tour of the city
Even Better the Second Time
I ran this back in 2021 when they came back from the shutdowns. It was a great time but it was a watered down version of the race and I … MORE
I ran this back in 2021 when they came back from the shutdowns. It was a great time but it was a watered down version of the race and I really wanted to experience the true NYC Marathon.
The Support on the course is second to none. Lines of crowds lined up pretty much from the moment you get off the Verrazano Bridge at Mile two till you hit the 59th St Bridge in Long Island City. On the 59th St Bridge, things go quiet for about a mile and half as you cross the Bridge but as you get closer to running off the Bridge, you can hear the crowds from 1st ave getting ready to cheer you on. The moment you are off the Bridge it’s pretty much deep crowds cheering you from Manhattan to the Bronx and back to the Central Park finish.
After the race can be tough as you will have a long walk from the finish till you exit the park and there no official after party, but once your out and you have your medal and finisher poncho, you will get cheered as you walk through the door of many of the bars and restaurants.
This is a must do Marathon and I can’t wait till do it again.
New York puts on a show
For 22 of the miles, it’s like running through a football stadium that doesn’t end. People show out to cheer and support EVERY runner - not just the ones they … MORE
For 22 of the miles, it’s like running through a football stadium that doesn’t end. People show out to cheer and support EVERY runner – not just the ones they know. The people of New York always get a bad rep for not being “nice” but DAMN do they support their boroughs and the people running through them.
Definitely write your name on your shirt, because people will be chirping at you all race. If there was ever something to help you push through a fairly tough course (mainly the amount of foot traffic around you ~50k of your closest friends) the supporters will make every step of the race feel brand new. It’s an incredible turnout and find it hard to believe any other race can live up to the crowd.
New York did not disappoint!!
Bag check is Friday and Saturday no bag check on day of the race. Learned this the hard way. This is a great race to run easy and have some … MORE
Bag check is Friday and Saturday no bag check on day of the race. Learned this the hard way. This is a great race to run easy and have some fun! I’ll be back someday.