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New York City Marathon 2026: The Complete Runner's Guide To The Course, Training And Race Weekend

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 New York City Marathon experience!

The New York City Marathon is one of the most famous road races in the world and sits at the top of many runners' bucket lists. Every November, more than 50,000 runners from around the globe gather to take on the 26.2 mile journey through all five boroughs of New York City, creating an atmosphere unlike any other marathon. Whether you earn your place through the ballot, secure a charity entry or travel as part of an international tour package, simply reaching the start line is an achievement in itself. Unlike many major city marathons, the New York City Marathon is about far more than chasing a personal best. The challenging course, unforgettable crowds and constantly changing scenery combine to create an experience that stays with runners long after they have crossed the finish line in Central Park. If you are planning to run the New York City Marathon in 2026, this guide will help you make the most of every moment. New York City Few cities in the world can match New York for energy, culture and iconic landmarks. Home to more than eight million people, the city is divided into five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. One of the unique features of the New York City Marathon is that it takes runners through every one of them, giving you a tour of the city that simply is not possible any other way. For many visitors, Manhattan is where they will spend most of their time before and after the race. This is where you'll find world famous attractions including Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Broadway and Fifth Avenue. It is a city where you can spend the morning exploring museums, enjoy lunch overlooking the Hudson River and finish the day watching a Broadway show. If you have extra time, it is well worth venturing beyond Manhattan. Brooklyn has become famous for its waterfront, independent cafés and excellent restaurants, while Queens offers an incredible variety of international cuisine. The Staten Island Ferry provides one of the best free views of the Statue of Liberty, and the Bronx is home to the famous Yankee Stadium and New York Botanical Garden. New York is also one of the easiest cities in the world to explore without a car. The subway operates throughout the city, yellow taxis remain plentiful and walking between attractions is often quicker than you might expect. However, if you are visiting during marathon week, remember that every mile you spend sightseeing is another mile on your legs. Save plenty of energy for race day. Accommodation in New York has become considerably more expensive in recent years, particularly in Manhattan. Hotels close to the finish line and major tourist attractions often sell out months in advance, so booking early can save a significant amount of money. Staying slightly outside Midtown can also offer much better value while still providing excellent transport links. The History Of The New York City Marathon The New York City Marathon began in 1970 when just 127 runners completed laps of Central Park, watched by only a handful of spectators. Six years later the race was transformed forever when organiser Fred Lebow expanded the course to include all five boroughs, creating the marathon that millions now recognise around the world. Since then, the event has grown into the largest marathon on the planet. Elite athletes compete for substantial prize money, while club runners, first time marathoners and charity fundraisers all share the same streets. The race has become famous not only for its size but also for its incredible crowd support, with well over a million spectators lining the route each year. The New York City Marathon became one of the six founding races of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2006 and remains one of the most sought after marathon entries anywhere in the world. For many runners, completing New York represents the highlight of their marathon journey. Read more about the World Marathon Majors here. Race Information The New York City Marathon is organised by New York Road Runners (NYRR), a non profit organisation that has been promoting running and healthy lifestyles since 1958. The race is traditionally held on the first Sunday in November and attracts runners from more than 150 countries, making it one of the most international marathons in the world. The event is a marathon only, with no shorter race taking place on the same day. The combination of limited entry places and huge worldwide demand means gaining a place can be challenging, so many runners begin planning their trip well over a year in advance. The next section covers the marathon expo, one of the highlights of race week and the first place where the excitement of the New York City Marathon really begins. The Expo Every runner must collect their race number at the official TCS New York City Marathon Expo, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan during the three days leading up to race day. Along with your race pack, you'll find hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest running shoes, clothing, nutrition products and technology. Many of the world's biggest running brands use the Expo to launch new products, making it one of the highlights of marathon week. The Expo is also where the international nature of the event really comes to life. With runners travelling from well over 150 countries, you'll hear dozens of different languages within minutes of walking through the doors. Whether you're collecting your first marathon number or adding another World Marathon Major to your collection, the atmosphere builds excitement for the race ahead. Although it is tempting to spend hours browsing every stand, remember that your marathon has not yet started. Stay off your feet where possible, avoid carrying heavy shopping around Manhattan afterwards and resist the temptation to buy anything you intend to use on race day. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the occasion, but not the time to experiment with new shoes, socks or nutrition. Getting To The Start The New York City Marathon has one of the most challenging starts of any major marathon, and it catches many first time runners by surprise. While the race itself does not begin until later in the morning, your marathon day often starts before sunrise. Unlike most city marathons, the start and finish are many miles apart. The race begins on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, while the finish is in Central Park, meaning every runner must travel to the start before road closures come into effect. Whether you choose the official ferry and shuttle buses or an official coach from Manhattan or New Jersey, expect a very early alarm clock. Once you arrive at the start village, there is usually a lengthy wait before your wave is called. Depending on your transport choice and start time, it is not unusual to spend several hours waiting. Bring old warm clothing that you can discard before the race begins, along with something waterproof if poor weather is forecast. Many experienced runners also bring a disposable groundsheet or piece of cardboard to sit on while waiting. The excitement builds steadily as your wave is called forward. Eventually you will make your way onto the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, where thousands of runners gather across the upper and lower levels ready for one of the most spectacular marathon starts anywhere in the world. Looking across New York Harbour towards the Manhattan skyline is a moment many runners remember for the rest of their lives. One piece of advice regularly shared by experienced runners is not to get carried away during the opening miles. The excitement, downhill sections and enormous crowds can easily tempt you into running much faster than planned. Stick to your race pace from the very beginning and you'll be grateful later in the race. You won't be on your own in this race! The Course Rather than remaining within one city centre, the course constantly changes character, with every borough offering its own atmosphere, architecture and crowd support. The race begins with the climb across the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge before descending into Brooklyn, where you'll experience some of the loudest crowds of the entire marathon. Local bands, DJs and thousands of spectators create an incredible atmosphere as you pass through neighbourhood after neighbourhood, each with its own distinct personality. After Brooklyn, the course continues through Queens before crossing the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan. This bridge provides one of the most memorable moments of the race. After miles of constant crowd noise, the bridge suddenly becomes surprisingly quiet, allowing many runners to gather their thoughts before emerging onto First Avenue. As you turn onto First Avenue, the silence disappears instantly. Tens of thousands of spectators create an unforgettable wall of noise that stretches for miles and provides a huge psychological lift during the second half of the marathon. Many runners describe this as one of the greatest moments in marathon running. The route then heads briefly into the Bronx before returning to Manhattan for the closing miles. By this stage fatigue is beginning to set in, but the crowds never seem to disappear. The final miles through Central Park include a series of gentle climbs and descents that feel far more challenging than they look on paper, particularly after more than 20 miles of running. This is not a course designed purely for fast times. The five bridges, constant changes in elevation and the sheer excitement of the occasion mean most runners finish slightly slower than they might on flatter marathon courses. However, very few finish wishing they had chosen a different race. The Finish Crossing the finish line in Central Park is a moment that few runners ever forget. After travelling through all five boroughs and covering 26.2 challenging miles, the finish feels every bit as special as the race itself. Volunteers quickly guide runners through the finish area where you'll receive your medal, refreshments and recovery supplies before beginning the walk through the post race exit system. Unlike some marathons, leaving the finish area is not particularly quick. Tens of thousands of runners finish over several hours, so patience is required while making your way through the recovery area. If you have checked a bag before the race, allow plenty of time to collect it before arranging to meet friends or family. It is worth agreeing a meeting point well away from Central Park before race day. Mobile phone networks can become busy, the crowds are enormous and the streets immediately around the finish remain congested for much of the afternoon. Choosing a landmark in Midtown Manhattan is often a far easier option than trying to find each other close to the finish. The finish line is imminent Spectators The New York City Marathon is widely regarded as one of the best spectator marathons in the world. More than a million people line the streets every year, creating an atmosphere that carries runners through every borough. Bands, DJs, community groups and local residents all contribute to a day that feels like a city wide celebration. Because the course passes through several boroughs, spectators have the opportunity to see runners more than once if they plan carefully and make good use of the subway. Many supporters choose Brooklyn and First Avenue as viewing locations before making their way towards Central Park for the finish. If your friends or family are travelling to New York with you, encourage them to download the official race tracking app before race day. It allows supporters to follow your progress around the course and estimate when you are likely to reach different locations, making it much easier to plan where to watch. Running For Charity The New York City Marathon has one of the largest charity programmes in the world. Hundreds of charities offer guaranteed entries to runners who commit to raising a minimum sponsorship target, with many organisations using the event to generate millions of dollars for good causes each year. Demand for charity places is extremely high and many charities fill their teams months before race day. If you know you would like to run for a particular cause, contact them as early as possible. In return for your fundraising, most charities provide training support, fundraising advice, branded running vests and race day encouragement to help you throughout your marathon journey. Running for charity also offers an alternative route into one of the world's most difficult marathons to enter. For many international runners, it is the most realistic way of securing a guaranteed place while making a genuine difference to an important cause. Our Verdict The New York City Marathon deserves its reputation as one of the greatest marathons in the world. It is not the easiest course, it is not the simplest event logistically and it is unlikely to produce your fastest marathon time. What it does offer is an unforgettable experience that combines world class organisation, incredible crowd support and a route that showcases one of the most exciting cities on the planet. From the early morning journey to Staten Island and the unforgettable start on the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge to the emotional finish in Central Park, every part of the day feels special. Whether this is your first World Marathon Major or the final medal needed to complete the series, it is an event that lives up to its reputation. How To Get A Place Securing a place in the New York City Marathon can be challenging because demand far exceeds the number of available entries. The majority of runners enter through the official lottery, which normally opens early in the year, although success rates are relatively low due to the huge global interest. Guaranteed places are also available through a number of other routes. Many runners secure an entry by running for an official charity partner, while international tour operators offer travel packages that include guaranteed race places. New York Road Runners members may also qualify through specific participation programmes or time qualifying standards. Whatever route you choose, it pays to plan well in advance. Accommodation, flights and tour packages often sell out many months before race weekend, so securing your place early gives you the best choice and usually the best prices. Once your entry is confirmed, you can focus on preparing for one of the most memorable marathon experiences anywhere in the world. Race website https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon

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