Guide to the New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon (NYCM) is the largest marathon in the World in one of the most populated cities. It’s occurs on the first Sunday in November and is the last Abbott World Marathon Major of the calendar year. With so many logistics to plan and people to navigate, the race can be daunting for first-timers and out-of-towners. While not from New York City (aka, the Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps), I’ve finished the race five times! Here are some resources that I’ve found helpful over the years sprinkled with a little advice or opinion. I hope it will prove helpful for planning your race!
Registration
The race organizers offer multiple avenues for gaining entry. (Runners with disabilities apply under a separate system.) These are probably the most common ways of getting in:
- Winning the lottery drawing. This is how about 12% of runners get into the race. The lottery drawing occurs in early March. “Maybe the odds be ever in your favor!”
- Raising money for charity. Approximately 10,000 runners enter the race through over 400 charity partners. Fundraising amounts vary but together, charity runners raise over $40 million for their causes. Some charities provide support during training and race weekend for their runners.
- Paying an international tour operator. A popular option for international runners paying a company like Marathon Tours – one of the big players in this market – to provide them a bib and travel arrangements for a fee.
- Completing the New York Road Runners 9+1 Program. This option is limited to NYRR runners who run nine qualified races during the calendar year and volunteer at one.
- Meeting the time qualifying standard. There are qualifying times for both the full and half marathon based on a person’s age. The qualifying window is the previous calendar year. The times are more stringent than the Boston Marathon, but if a runner hits them at an NYRR event, the entry is guaranteed. Runners with guaranteed entry must claim the slot in mid-February.
For 2023, the fee for the race was $295.
Seeding
In early October, runners receive wave and corral information. There are four waves:
- Wave 1 starts at 9:50am,
- Wave 2 at 10:15am,
- Wave 3 at 10:40am, and
- Wave 4 at 11am.
Each wave has six corrals. (The professional women’s start is at 9:20am.)
Travel and Lodging
For runners who live on the East Coast of the United States, taking an Amtrak train to Penn Station may be the most convenient and economical option. Driving is also an option, however parking in Midtown Manhattan can be expensive. For others, the city is served by two airports – John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport.
For lodging, staying in a hotel near the finish in Central Park is the kindest choice for post-marathon legs. The headquarter hotels are the New York Hilton Midtown and Sheraton New York Times Square. For the past few years, I’ve stayed in the Theater District near Times Square because it’s on the same side of the Park as the marathon exit. Some runners stay near the start in Staten Island or in Lower Manhattan. However, given the late morning start times and longer post-race commute, there isn’t much of an advantage to staying in either of those locations.
Packet Pick-up and Expo
The Marathon Expo and Packet Pick Up starts on Thursday at 10am at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (11th Avenue at West 35th Street). There are several nearby subway stations and the race offers a shuttle service from the Midtown Manhattan district.
The expo closes at 8pm on Thursday and Friday but 5pm on Saturday, which is the last day of packet pick-up.
After picking up a bib and long-sleeve shirt, runners can enjoy the marathon expo. New Balance is the official apparel sponsor for the New York City Marathon, but there are dozens of vendors at the expo. For example, if a runner decides at the last minute that she wants her name on her shirt so spectators can cheer her on, there’s usually a vendor selling t-shirts with custom printing.
New Balance NYCM branded wears are available online, at the expo, and the marathon pavilion after the race. This year, one of the jacket is being marketed as the “finisher jacket” much like Adidas produces a “celebration jacket” for the Boston Marathon:
- 2023 New York City Marathon Women’s Windcheater Jacket
- 2023 New York City Marathon Men’s Windcheater Jacket
Race-related Events
There is so much to do in New York City! I won’t address sightseeing and dining because those activities are so dependent on personal preferences. However, here are some great race-related events and experiences.
Friday
- Opening Ceremony. On Friday, the race holds a Parade of Nations in Central Park south of the finish line. I have not attended this event but the pictures look like it’s a lot of fun. (Note: grandstand seating requires tickets.)
Saturday
- Dash to the Finish Line 5K. This event, held the day before the marathon, attracts a number of elite runners. Some marathoners use it as their “shake out” run before Sunday’s main event. Other, like me, watch and cheer from the sidelines during their “shake out” run in the Park.
- Central Park “Shake-Out” Run. Central Park is a great location for an few easy miles before the race. Some elite marathoners also do their “shake out” in the Park, so the location is great for idol-spotting. The roads are closed to traffic but there are a fair amount of off-leash dogs.
- Marathon Eve Dinner. This ticketed event for a pasta dinner takes place at the marathon pavilion (Central Park and West 67th Street). I haven’t stopped by this event, either, but it might be a good opportunity to meet other runners.
Monday
- Finisher Medal Engraving. On Monday and for a fee, runners can get their medal engraved at the Marathon Pavilion (Central Park and West 67th Street). The lines are very long so plan on spending at least an hour waiting.
- Finish Line Area in Central Park. Many runners return to the finish line for pictures of themselves with their well-deserved medals.
- Coffee and the New York Times. Monday’s print edition has a special section dedicated to the race, including the names and times of runners who finish under a certain time (roughly 4 hours and 45 minutes).
- MarathonFoto may have some pictures available online the next day.
Transportation to Fort Wadsworth
In mid-July, runners must select their transportation (and baggage) options. For transportation, there are three options:
- The Staten Island Ferry,
- a Midtown Manhattan bus that departs from the New York Public Library Schwarzman Building, or
- a bus that leaves from New Jersey.
Daylight savings time ends at 2am on race day morning, which means runners will get an extra hour of sleep!
For the Staten Island Ferry option to Fort Wadsworth:
- From Midtown Manhattan, it’s about a 30 minute subway ride to South Ferry Station, however, runners should check for any construction delays. Although the race assigns boarding times, agents at the terminal don’t check and runners are herded onto the next ferry.
- The ferry ride is about 30 minutes and has stirring views of the New York City skyline and the Statute of Liberty in the distance. There are bathrooms on the ferries if nature calls.
- Upon exiting the ferry, runners board buses to Fort Wadsworth, which take another 30 minutes to an hour depending on how backed up the buses and security gets.
- Runners disembark on the north side of the Athlete’s Village closest to the Blue Wave starting area.
- From Midtown Manhattan, it’s about an hour ride from the Library. Again, although the race assigns boarding times, runners are led to buses waiting in front of the building.
- Sit on the left of the bus for views of the Brooklyn Bridge heading out of Manhattan. The right side of the bus will have sights of Lower Manhattan.
- The buses let runners off near the start line on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Baggage Check and Security
- NO backpacks or similar bags.
- NO tents.
- NO folding chair or camp chairs.
- NO sleeping bags, large blankets, or comforters.
- NO non-transparent trash bags.
- NO umbrellas.
- NO hydration packs. (Fuel belts and hand-held water bottles are allowed.)
Staging Village and Start Area
Located at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, the staging area for the race start is divided into three areas depending on the color of the start: Blue, Orange, and starting in 2023 – Pink. However, runners can roam around the village until it’s time to enter the corrals.
Don’t miss the Dunkin Donuts employees distributing fleece beanies to the runners.
There are light refreshments for runners while they wait – coffee, water, bagels, and sports bars. The few grassy areas, where runners can lay down an old post-race heat shield and sit on a soft surface, can be crowded. There are two tents – one in the Blue area and one in the Orange – if the weather is cold, windy, or rainy.
In July, runners also select their baggage option. The choices are: a post-race poncho or bag check. If a runner is checking a bag, she needs to hand it over to the United Parcel Service (UPS) truck that corresponds to her bib number before entering the corrals.
Corrals open about an hour before the wave start and close about 30 minutes later. Some marshals are strict and deny late runners entry into the corral, forcing them to start with the next wave. The corrals are even more uncomfortable with asphalt road and concrete curbs with no cover overhead. There are portable toilets in the corrals in case runners need them during the wait. New York Road Runner pacer team leaders are available for questions at this time.
Runners are walked to the starting line about 20 minutes before the wave start. The ropes separating the corrals come down as each corral is released, and if a runner walks quickly, she can sneak her way through the corrals towards the front of the wave if she expects a faster finishing time.
Runners in the Blue and Orange starts run on the top deck of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Blue runs to the right and gets excellent river views, while Orange goes to the left and enjoys stunning city views. Runners in the Pink Start go on the bottom deck under the Orange starters.
Smart runners keep their throw-away clothes on until the last five minutes or so before the start. (In recent years, the temperature was in the 50s at the start.)
The race starts with:
- announcements from the President of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) (and other race-related or local notables),
- someone singing the National Anthem,
- the firing of a canon,
- and then finally the sound of “New York, New York,” by Frank Sinatra
(Other New York City-themed songs on my playlist are: “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” by the Beastie Boys, “New York Groove” by Ace Frehley, “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys.)
The Course
The New York City Marathon course touches all five boroughs. It starts in Staten Island on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and goes north into Brooklyn. It continues into Queens after crossing the Pulaski Bridge. The very steep Queensboro Bridge takes runners into Manhattan where roaring crowds await. Then, the course heads north on First Avenue and enters the Bronx after covering the Willis Avenue Bridge. After a mile, the route goes south over the Madison Avenue Bridge back into Manhattan. A few miles later, runners enter Central Park for the finish.
Here are a few general tips:
- There is a blue line in the road that follows the course but does not help with running the tangent.
- There are aid stations with water and Gatorade at every mile beginning at Mile 3. On the route, there are also first aid stations and porta-potties, again beginning at Mile 3.
- There are clocks at every mile with the race’s gun time.
At the aid stations, there are tables on both sides of the street so streaking from one side of the road to the other for a drink is unnecessary!
Here is the route:
This is the elevation profile:
The five bridges that serve as the hills for the course are:
- The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (Mile 1)
- The Pulaski Bridge (Mile 13)
- The Queensboro Bridge (Mile 15)
- The Willis Avenue Bridge (Mile 19)
- The Madison Avenue Bridge (Mile 21)
There is also a slight incline to the road during Mile 23 and two small rolling hills in Central Park.
And, here is a course video:
Strategy and Pacing
Several experts provide race-specific pacing and strategy.
For pacing, the following websites offer race-specific pace bands. (Note: I have not used these products.):
- MyMarathonPace.com, Greg Maclin. There are pacing spreadsheets accessible from the main menu. Runners can generate a pace ban by entering data on a number of variables including goal time and pacing strategy.
- FindMyMarathon. The page offers pace bands based on the course and a desired finish time.
For strategy, this article dissects the course and gives advice for each segment:
- New York City Marathon Race Strategy: How to Crush the Five Burroughs, RunnersConnect. The author, Jeff Gaudette, advised patience through most of the course, making up a little time on First Avenue, and then going to work after Mile 20.
I have a tendency to go out too hard at this race, so I won’t offer any pacing advice. However, this is how I break up the course and my description of what to expect:
Early Miles, Part I – Miles 0 to 8 (Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Brooklyn)
The race starts with a steep climb on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. After reaching the top, there’s an equally steep downhill glide into Brooklyn.
At the base of the bridge, runners take slightly different routes to Fourth Avenue depending on their start color. Runners in the Blue Start turn left at 92nd Street and meet up with Fourth Avenue after about a quarter mile. (Orange Start runners take the left slightly sooner and meet up with the Blue Start runners at 92nd Street.) Runners in the Pink Start continue straight off the Verrazano-Narrows for another mile on Interstate 278 before going up a ramp to 75th Street and merging with the Blue Start runners on Fourth Avenue after Mile 3.
From Mile 3, all three starts run up Fourth Avenue through Brooklyn. The terrain is flat except a very slight incline from around Mile 4 to Mile 5.
Watch or listen for:
- Views of the New York City skyline, Statute of Liberty, and fire-boats spouting red, white, and blue water from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
- The first water stop at Mile 3.
- Blue Start and Pink Start merging after Mile 3
- Dancing or cheering police officers during Mile 5 and Mile 6.
- The first photo-opportunity from MarathonFoto at around Mile 7 in Park Slope.
- Orange Start merging with Blue and Pink at Mile 8.
- The Jumbotron at Mile 8 showing the front runners.
Early Miles, Part II – Miles 8 to 14 (Brooklyn)
On Lafayette Avenue, the course turns left onto Bedford Avenue. The terrain is slightly uphill but not steep. Next, it turns left onto Manhattan Avenue around Mile 12.2. Right onto Greenpoint at Mile 12.5 and a left onto McGuinness. This section is flat except for the climb up the Pulaski Bridge.
Watch or listen for:
- Overflowing crowds in the Clinton Hill neighborhood. It’s easy to get carried away by their enthusiasm.
- The Hasidic Jewish community in Williamsburg at around Mile 11 that pretends the race isn’t happening.
- The half marathon marker, MarathonFoto photographers, and a view of the Empire State Building on the Pulaski Bridge.
Middle Miles, Part I – Miles 14 to 16 (Queens)
Yes, in my opinion, these two miles deserve their own attention. After passing Mile 14, the course turns right after two blocks, left after four, and left after another four onto the Queensboro Bridge at Mile 15. What follows is over a mile long climb to the crest of the bridge.
Watch or listen for:
- The water stop before entering the Queensboro Bridge. There won’t be another until the other side of the bridge.
- The relative silence on the bridge.
- The roar of the crowds along First Avenue. There used to be a rush of sound coming off the Queensboro, comparable to the Wellesley “Scream Tunnel” at the Boston Marathon, but in recent years, people have migrated further up the course.
Middle Miles, Part II – Miles 16 to 20 (Manhattan – First Avenue)
Coming off the Queensboro Bridge, the course cuts left for a block on East 59th Street and then left onto First Avenue. The next four miles are straight ahead and flat. Runners leave Manhattan by way of the Willis Avenue Bridge about a quarter mile before Mile 20.
Watch or listen for:
- The cheers from the crowds are almost over-whelming!
- The Jumbotron on First Avenue showing the race leaders.
- Sponges soaked with water at Mile 17.
- PowerBar PowerGels at Mile 18.
- MarathonFoto photographers on the Willis Avenue Bridge taking pictures of runners just as they’re hitting “The Wall”.
Later Miles, Part I – Miles 20 to 24 (The Bronx and Manhattan – Fifth Avenue)
Mile 20 comes after the Willis Avenue Bridge in The Bronx. Then, the course takes seven turns over the next mile before crossing the Madison Avenue Bridge into Manhattan. In Harlem, the course is straight on Fifth Avenue except for a detour around Marcus Garvey Park. The next mile and a half are slightly uphill before the course turns into Central Park.
Watch or listen for:
- The Jumbotron after Mile 20 showing the elites.
- New York Taiko Aiko Kai drum group before the Madison Avenue Bridge.
- Live bands and DJs in Harlem.
- Runners stopping abruptly. Mile 23 is harder than most runners anticipate and a number of them will take a walk break.
- People who seem to know exactly what a runner needs to hear during Mile 23.
Later Miles, Part II – Miles 24 to 26.2 (Central Park)
Just before Mile 24, the course enters Central Park and follows East Drive to Central Park South. At Columbus Circle, the course goes back into the park and finishes at West 67th Street.
Watch or listen for:
- Descending “Cat Hill” after Mile 24 and letting the legs stretch out.
- MarathonFoto at multiple points in the Park.
- Banners featuring past champions and foreign flags lining the final quarter mile before the finish line.
Finish Line
The race finishes in Central Park on West Drive just short of West 67th Street.
Immediately after crossing the finish line, runners receive a medal, heat shield, and a recovery bag containing water, Gatorade, pretzels, and of course, an apple. There are also MarathonFoto photographers taking post-race pictures of runners with their medal. (In 2023, the medal included braille on the back providing the details of the race.)
All runners walk about a half mile before they’re separated into those who requested a poncho and those who checked their bags. Along the way, medics are on the look-out for individuals in distress. Sitting down is not an option.
Runners who selected a poncho rather than checking a bag walk another quarter mile before exiting the Park at West 77th Street and getting their wrap on Central Park West. (The ponchos are typically blue, but in 2023 they were orange.)
Runners who checked a bag continue up West Drive and exit at West 81st or West 85th. UPS trucks containing the bags for higher numbered bibs are first while lower numbers are further up the road.
The family reunion area is another half mile walk towards Columbus Circle.
Do not count on a free post-race subway ride. Over the years, I might have been waved through the turnstile once or twice.
History
The race dates back to 1970. The course was entirely within Central Park until 1976 when it traveled through all five boroughs.
Fred Lebow is considered the founder of the race and its most prolific champions are Grete Waitz, who won nine titles, and Bill Rodgers who won four consecutively.
More information on the race is available on the New York Road Runner’s History of the New York City Marathon page
My History
My history with the race began in 2012 when, having trained diligently months, the race was cancelled because of Superstorm Sandy. Inspired by Run Anyway, I ran 26.2 in Washington, D.C. with a pull-over that read “Run Anyway” and “I [heart] NY”. The next year, I ran my first New York City Marathon in 3:22:56 (7:45 pace) – my current personal record. I fell in love with the race and have returned every year since. Here are links to my race reports on this site:
2013 New York City Marathon
2014 New York City Marathon
2015 New York City Marathon
2016 New York City Marathon
2017 New York City Marathon
2018 New York City Marathon
2019 New York City Marathon
2023 New York City Marathon
Media
There are several avenues for learning more about the race and receiving communications from the organizers, the New York Road Runners (NYRR).
- New York City Marathon – Website. Official information about the race is available on this website.
- New York City Marathon – Facebook. The race organizers upload inspirational pictures and videos throughout the year. During race weekend, they also post updates about the race.
- New York City Marathon – Twitter. Similar to the race’s Facebook page, the Twitter account is a source for motivation all year long. Race organizers also retweet and share other race-related posts.
- New York City Marathon – 2022 Media Guide. In addition to information about the current year’s race, this packet that is compiled for members of the media, also contains statistics on the race.
- Ali on the Run Show Episode 275: Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon. This is a long episode but it delivers on the title – she covers just about everything you need to know about the race.
This page was initially published on October 20, 2018 and will be edited or updated as needed.