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The New York City Marathon
- Sapphire Running Team
- Jul 20, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 19
One of the world's most talked about marathons, the New York City Marathon is one that you have to do at some point in your running career
Getting in through the lottery can be a challenge, but there are also tour operator and charity entries. Once you're in you need to have a read on our tips for a great day!
New York City
New York is one of those destinations that is truly unmissable. New York City, with a population of nine million locals, comprises five boroughs and you'll run through every one of them during this marathon. At its heart is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centres. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater, a must while you're here is in Times Square, another magnet for the city's three million annual international visitors.
The Boroughs of New York City are the five major governmental districts that compose New York City. They are the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The race starts on Staten Island and weaves through them all before finishing in the world's most famous park, Central Park in Manhattan. One of the biggest challenges for runners is not to walk too much in race walk. It's an easy city to walk around and its attractions are relatively close to each other. Thankfully taxis don't break the bank.
New York is now a very expensive City so once you get your spot sorted you need to book hotels as soon as you can and you might be able to lock in a cheaper price. Post Covid it has gone from an averagely priced destination to one of the most expensive in the world. Runners will now be forced out of the central areas into the suburbs due to costs, but this is where you need to take into account the differences between this event and others. It starts extremely early! Not the race itself, but the process of getting to the start, which is a long way from the finish. It's all about getting to this Bridge.
The history of the New York Marathon
The very first event was held in September 1970, with 127 runners competing and 100 people watching. Initially held in Central Park, in 1976 it went through all five boroughs for the first time and from then on that became its route. In 1986 it was moved to November and the date hasn't moved since. It was one of the founding members of the World Marathon Majors in 2006.
It's now the biggest marathon in the world with over 53,000 finishers in 2019 and more than two million lining the streets each year.
Race Organiser
New York Road Runners. New York Road Runners (NYRR) is a non-profit running organisation based in New York City whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. It was founded in 1958 by Ted Corbitt with 47 members and has since grown to a membership of more than 60,000.
When?
The race is held annually on the first Sunday of November.
Distances
Marathon only
Is there an Expo?
The Expo, which is open for three days before the event is on a par with the other Majors. It's where you need to go pre-race to collect your number and other race essentials. This race has a much higher percentage of overseas runners than any other equivalent, especially when compared to the likes of London, so you'll bump into fellow competitors from Italy, Denmark and Italy, amongst others, within a few minutes of getting to the Javits Convention Center. The overseas runners bring the event into focus during race week. They are everywhere in Manhattan; walking the streets, taking open-top bus tours and crowding into restaurants. As a visitor to NYC you definitely know it's race week. Don't be tempted to try and see everything NYC has to offer in the days before the race. Don't walk too far, even though everywhere seems so close on paper.
How many runners?
50,000
The course
The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on Staten Island is where the race starts and it shuts 3 hours before the race starts so you know what that means. It means two things that most runners aren't prepared for; an extremely early start and an incredibly long wait before you run. So, be prepared. The New York Road Runners, who organise the race, put on buses to the start, and they start very early, but you have to book your bus, so make sure you're there on time for yours and make sure you have an early night! You stay in brooklyn or south Manhattan and get the ferry to Staten Island. It will still be busy. but the view is better, of the Statue of Liberty! Once you're there be ready for what could be in excess of 4 hours of waiting around. Take a book and take some cardboard to sit on. Make sure you have plenty of warm clothing as it could be cold and damp. Don't be tempted to eat any of the snacks you'll see. Doughnuts can be available and when did you last have one of them before a long run? By the time you start running it feels like you've been up all day, so be prepared. Once you do get on the Bridge, ready to start, be warned that if you're on the lower deck of the two you could get covered in something as runners on the upper deck have their final toilet stop. Yes, it does happen! Go to the side if possible.
The course itself is unique in many ways. It runs through all five suburbs and they are all very different. Most city centre marathons run through areas that are all pretty similar, but not this one. Be prepared for an attack on the senses, in a good way. From Staten Island runners head north through Brooklyn and Queens. It's then west across the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, up north into the Bronx and back to Manhattan to finish in Central Park. These are all very different experiences and it's a cultural tour of the City like no other. Soak up the varying architecture and crowd support as you head from one suburb to another.
This marathon also differs from its peers when it comes to gradients. It is most definitely not flat. You only have to look at the times of elite athletes at top marathons over the past 20 years and this race does not feature. The main reason is because of the bridges. You need to treat each bridge as a challenge in its own right. Some are a lot stepper than they first appear. Make sure you include hill training in your preparation and you'll be fine. There are five of them, so be ready!
You'll also see very few running in costumes, unlike events like London. This is from the organisers 'Costumes that cover the face and any bulky outfits that extend beyond the perimeter of the body (Form-fitting outfits are allowed.)' are not allowed through security.
And then there is the finish at Central Park.
The finish is very different than it used to be. Access is severely restricted and tickets are required for certain areas. So if you have friends and family who are planning to watch you finish make sure they review the exact details for the year you are planning to run. Once you finish you'll need to demonstrate the same patience you showed at the start. Runners leave Central Park at West 77th Street. Once on Central Park West, you may exit the runners-only area at West 76th Street, West 74th Street, or West 69th Street, or continue south to Family Reunion. If you have pre-checked a bag, you'll find this on Central Park West between West 69th Street and West 72nd Street. This is an extremely, extremely busy place and you won't be able to skip any lines to speed up the process. You'll get your medal first and then lots of sponsor goodies, but there are thousands of people and it all takes time. Even once you're out of the Park, it doesn't get quieter. It's best to suggest meeting your friends and family back in the centre of Manhattan if you can. They could be waiting around Central Park West for a very long time and there isn't much to do there.
What's unique?
There is no event that brings together all five boroughs like this one. Moving from one to another as the course progresses and experiencing the unique sights and sounds of each borough is very different from any other race.
Do charities benefit?
There is a very extensive charity programme, with charities applying to the organisers for the right to buy spots which they then allocate to runners who agree to raise a minimum of $3500 and in some cases much more than that. There are more charities applying for spots than there are spots available and generally most of these spots will sell out.
Our verdict
This event is an amazing experience but you need to be prepared and to prepare those supporting you. It's logistically challenging and it is a very long day for you and your supporters. You will have one of the best days of your life. You need to make sure they do as well.
How to register
Getting a spot here is very difficult. The general ballot opens in February and two weeks after, with notifications taking place in March. NYRR members who, in 2022, ran nine qualifying NYRR races and volunteered at one qualifying event, are eligible to claim guaranteed non-complimentary entry in that initial two weeks window. There are charity spots (which sell out), good for age and many more categories. Overseas tour operators also have spots.
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