The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Point-to-point, five boroughs, five bridges |
| Start | Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island (Verrazano Bridge start) |
| Finish | Central Park, New York City (77th Street) |
| Registration | General lottery or guaranteed entry routes |
| World Major | Abbott World Marathon Major |
| Total Finishers | ~55,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 8-14°C (variable) |
| Cutoff Time | 8 hours 30 min |
| Bus to Start | From Midtown Manhattan assembly points |
The TCS New York City Marathon is the world's largest marathon by finisher count. The course crosses all five of New York's boroughs: starting on the Staten Island approach to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, through Brooklyn (the longest single-borough section), into Queens via the Pulaski Bridge, across the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, briefly into the Bronx over the Madison Avenue Bridge, then south through Manhattan to the Central Park finish at 77th Street.
The five bridges create the course's signature elevation profile: the Verrazano rises 50 metres in the first 2 miles, the Queensboro at mile 15 requires a genuine climb, and the late-race Bronx bridges add effort when the legs are depleted. The crowd support from Brooklyn through Harlem is the best in world marathon running - 2 million spectators line the course.
Entry and Ballot
The NYC Marathon uses a general lottery that opens in January/February for the November race. Entry is available to runners worldwide through the NYRR website (nyrr.org). Lottery acceptance is not announced until April; the acceptance rate for international runners is typically around 15-20%.
Guaranteed entry routes:
- Charity bib: Fundraising minimum approximately $2,500-3,500 for US charity partners; higher for international charity operators
- Consecutive rejection policy: US NYRR members who are rejected three consecutive years receive guaranteed entry in the fourth year
- 9+1 programme: Run 9 NYRR-organised races and volunteer at one NYRR event in a calendar year for guaranteed entry the following year
- Tour operator packages: Several official international tour operators have guaranteed entry allocations bundled with travel packages
Race Weekend
Wednesday-Thursday: Expo at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on 11th Avenue. Go on Wednesday or Thursday to avoid the Friday and Saturday crowds. The expo is enormous - 3-4 hours minimum. Number collection is mandatory here.
Friday-Saturday: Rest and explore. Central Park is flat and directly on the course; walk the finish section on Saturday for course familiarity.
Sunday (Race Day): Official buses from Midtown assembly points to Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island from approximately 5:00 AM. The start is on the upper level of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Post-race: the exit walks north through Central Park to the bag claim and the family meeting area on the Upper West Side.
Where to Stay
The Upper West Side is the optimal zone - the finish is at Central Park West and 77th Street, and the UWS has the best concentration of hotels within walking distance. Midtown is the practical alternative with more options across price points.
Nine-storey Victorian atrium, glass pyramid ceiling. Beautiful building; take the subway up to Central Park.
Art Nouveau boutique hotel on Broadway at 77th. Walking distance to the finish. Books out early for marathon weekend.
Independent hotel on West 81st Street, across from the Museum of Natural History. Marathon distance from the finish line.
Large hotel on 44th Street near Times Square. Good value for Midtown. Subway access to the finish and the expo at Javits.
Compact pod-style hotel with private rooms. The best budget option in Midtown for a marathon weekend.
See & Do
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street (suggested donation $30) has the most significant single-building art collection in the Western Hemisphere. The Egyptian Temple of Dendur alone (a full Roman-period Egyptian temple, assembled inside a purpose-built wing) is worth the admission. For post-marathon recovery, the flat galleries and the roof garden (open May-November) are suitable at any pace.
The High Line - the elevated linear park on the former West Side freight railway on Manhattan's west side - runs 1.45 miles from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street. Entirely flat and above street level, it is the best post-marathon walk in Manhattan: no intersections, no traffic lights, Hudson River views to the west, the Midtown skyline to the east.
Read Before you Run
Let the Great World Spin
Colum McCann
Eight New Yorkers, one day in 1974, orbiting Philippe Petit's illegal walk between the Twin Towers. McCann moves between the Bronx, Park Avenue, and the courtrooms of lower Manhattan with the ease of someone who understands that New York is never one city but several running simultaneously.
Buy on Amazon →After the Race
New York's Penn Station has NJ Transit to Princeton and the New Jersey Shore, and Amtrak to Philadelphia, Washington, and Boston. JFK and Newark airports serve long-haul destinations.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the New York City Marathon?
Stay near the finish in Manhattan. The Upper West Side (near Central Park West at 77th Street) is ideal; Midtown is a practical alternative.
How do I enter the New York City Marathon ballot?
The lottery opens January/February for the November race at nyrr.org. Guaranteed entry via charity bib, 3 consecutive rejection policy (US residents), or 9+1 programme.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the New York City Marathon?
The Upper West Side (steps from the finish) or Midtown Manhattan. Both well-connected by subway.
How far in advance should I book a hotel for the New York City Marathon?
Book as soon as your ballot acceptance is confirmed (March/April). The first Sunday in November is one of the busiest hotel weekends in New York.
When does the New York City Marathon expo open?
The expo is at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Wednesday to Saturday before race Sunday. Wednesday/Thursday are less crowded.
What is the weather like at the New York City Marathon?
Early November: 8-14°C typically. Significant wind exposure on the five bridges. Check the forecast week-of and prepare for bridge conditions.
How do I get to the New York City Marathon start?
Official buses from Midtown to Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, from approximately 5:00 AM. Bus passes included in registration.
Is there a bag drop at the New York City Marathon?
Yes. Official UPS bag at Fort Wadsworth; bags transported to Central Park finish. Use the official bag only.
How do I get back after the New York City Marathon?
The finish is at Central Park West and 77th Street. Walk to a nearby hotel or take the B/C subway at 81st Street (very crowded for 2-3 hours post-race).
Is the NYC Marathon a good course for a personal best?
No. The five bridge climbs, the Queens Expressway, and November wind make it slower than flat courses. The world record has never been set in New York.