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Thousands of runners crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge at the start of the New York City Marathon
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World Major

🇺🇸New York City, USA

TCS New York City Marathon

Nov 1, 2026

Charity entry openLottery

Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Race facts

Next edition · 2026

Nov 1, 2026

Scheduled

Start

Staten Island, launching over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

Course

248 melevation gain

Distance · surface
42.2 km · Road
Layout
Point-to-point across all five boroughs, rolling
Profile
Big climb over the Verrazzano at the start, bridge rollers throughout, an uphill finish in Central Park

Entry

Drawing, time-qualified or '9+1' guaranteed entry for NYRR members, charity, or a tour operator

Status · last recorded
Charity entry open
Registration
Drawing application window early in the year

Dates and entry details change. Confirm with the organiser before you book.

Race intelligence verified · High confidencenyrr.org ↗

PB potential

2/5

Technical or hilly — come for the experience, not the time

Beginner friendly

5/5

Perfect first marathon — supportive, accessible, and well-structured

World MajorBeginner FriendlyAutumn MarathonMore Americas races

About this race

No marathon on earth has more spectators than New York City's — around two million people line the 42.2 km route across five boroughs, from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge start in Staten Island through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan, finishing at Tavern on the Green in Central Park. The course has significant elevation: five bridge crossings create short but sharp climbs, and First Avenue in the Bronx at km 34 is notoriously where the wheels can fall off. NYC isn't the course for a PB — but it may be the single most memorable marathon experience on the planet. The field of 50,000 runners is diverse, festive, and international. The charity and guaranteed entry routes are the most reliable paths to the start line if you miss the lottery.

Typical race-day weather

🌡

Temperature

8–16°C

💧

Humidity

55–70%

☁️

Conditions

Cool and breezy, perfect for spectators

🌬

Wind

15–25 km/h variable

Who this race suits

Runners chasing the atmosphere and a five-borough bucket-list race. The bridges and rolling profile make it a poor PB choice but an unforgettable one — and it's very well supported for first-timers.

Not a PB course: the Verrazzano bridge climb at the start, repeated bridge inclines, and a rising Central Park finish all cost time. Come for the experience and the crowds.

Overview

Field size
~50,000+ finishers — often the world's largest marathon
Cut-off time
Generous, staggered by start wave

Course intelligence

Highlights
The First Avenue wall of noise, the near-silent Queensboro Bridge, and the Central Park finish

Registration

Odds
The drawing is very competitive; the 9+1 volunteer-and-race program is a reliable route for locals

Race weekend

Expo
Marathon expo at the Javits Center — in-person pickup
Start logistics
A long morning: ferry or bus to Staten Island and hours in the start villages

Travel & logistics

Best airport
JFK, Newark (EWR), or LaGuardia (LGA)
Getting around
The subway is the fastest way around; the start requires official ferry-and-bus transport
Where to stay
Manhattan near Central Park (the finish) and a subway line

Runner tips

  • Don't blast the downhill off the Verrazzano — the race is long and the bridges keep coming.
  • Expect a very early, cold start with hours of waiting on Staten Island; bring warm throwaways and food.
  • The Central Park finish rises — budget energy for the last two miles rather than First Avenue.
High confidenceLast verified

Entry information

StatusCharity entry open
Entry typeLottery
Race dateNov 1, 2026
Official website ↗

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