TCS New York City Marathon

Overview

Field size

~50,000+ finishers — often the world's largest marathon

Course type

Point-to-point across all five boroughs, rolling

Cut-off time

Generous, staggered by start wave

Start

Staten Island, launching over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

Course intelligence

Profile

Big climb over the Verrazzano at the start, bridge rollers throughout, an uphill finish in Central Park

Highlights

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

Registration

How to enter

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

Odds

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

Registration opens

Drawing application window early in the year

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.