On Sunday, November 1, the Big Apple will be taken over by running enthusiasts.
The TCS New York City Marathon is back for the 50th anniversary of its expanded course. Here’s everything you need to know, from the history of the race to road closures, as well as how to tune in and cheer from the comfort of your couch.
A brief history of the NYC Marathon
One hundred and twenty-seven runners began the first New York City Marathon on September 13, 1970. Fifty-five finished the race located in Manhattan’s Central Park, which was put on by the New York Road Runners (NYRR). It cost just a dollar to enter and $1,000 to execute.
Beginning in 1976, the course expanded to include all five New York City boroughs. This change was made to celebrate America’s 200th birthday and was so popular that it stuck.
The race continued even in times of adversity, showing the strength and resilience of the city. For instance, runners gave their all just two months after the September 11 attacks in 2001. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the marathon went virtual.
In 2024, it became the largest marathon in history with 55,646 finishers, according to NYRR. The New York City Marathon broke its own record the following year with more than 59,000 finishers.
This year, there are nearly 60,000 hopefuls ready to take their mark.
The 411 on the map and course
The race begins at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island. Runners head immediately to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
From there, they head to Brooklyn. Miles 13 to 15 are spent in Queens, crossing the Pulaski Bridge.
Next up, the first of two legs are in Manhattan. A quick detour to the Bronx follows before returning to Manhattan and making a big finish in Central Park.
You can check out the marathon’s full map and course on NYRR’s website.
There’s also an interactive version here.
What about road closures?
Because of this expansive course, there will be many road closures, parking restrictions, and bus diversions.
For a full list of these disruptions click here and get the latest details from the city’s events coordination office.
One of the most significant closures is that of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. This begins with the upper level at 11 p.m. ET Saturday evening. The lower level will follow suit the following morning at 7 a.m. ET.
Additionally, the Bay Street and Lily Pond Avenue exits on Staten Island will be closed at 3 a.m. ET Sunday but reopen by 4 p.m. ET.
Also, do not rely on the Central Park transverse roads at 65th, 79th, and 96th streets, because they too will be closed.
How can I track a runner’s progress?
The official app from New York Road Runners lets you follow your favorite runners. You can also check leaderboards, learn about race results, and watch live coverage. Find it here.
Which celebrities are running the race?
Many celebrities from film, television, and Broadway will be pounding the pavement.
Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly will be among the runners hoping to go all the way. Connelly is an old pro, having run the race in 2024 and finishing with a 3:45:47 timestamp. She is running to support Fred’s Team, a charity that supports the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Media personality and journalist T.J. Holmes is also no stranger to the marathon. This will be his fourth race.
Queer Eye alum Antoni Porowski will give it his all to support City Harvest, while Reading Rainbow’s new host, Mychal Threets, is running to support the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation.
Broadway star Jordan Litz ran the 2025 marathon and then did two shows as Fiyero in Wicked. This year, he is flying in from London’s West End to do the run. Thankfully, no post-race performances are necessary. Another alum of the Great White Way, Patina Miller, is also back for more.
How can I watch or stream the race live?
If you don’t want to lace up your shoes and get in on the action, you can cheer on others from the comfort of your couch.
If you are located in the New York area, WABC-TV, Channel 7 will cover the race beginning bright and early at 7 a.m. ET. You can also utilize ABC7NY.com for a live view of the finish line from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
For those outside of the area, you can turn to ESPN2 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET for live coverage.
In New York, you can also listen to a race-day broadcast on iHeartRadio’s 710 WOR AM and 104.3HD2, beginning at 7:00 a.m. ET.
Or check it out on the iHeartRadio app starting at 8:00 a.m. ET.