NYRR Five-Borough Series | NYRR NYRR Five-Borough Series Bib pickup for the NYRR Fred Lebow Manhattan Half is taking place at the NYRR RUNCENTER , located at 320 West 57th Street. nyrr 5 borough series NYRR Five-Borough Series Run New York. Five Boroughs. One City. The 2017 NYRR Five-Borough Series kicks off with the United Airlines NYC Half on March 19. Races in the 2017 series are: A fast, fun course through the borough with attitude, finishing at the world-famous Coney Island boardwalk. NYRR Queens 10K (June 17) A speedy course through beautiful Flushing Meadows Corona Park, perfect for kicking off your TCS New York City Marathon training. New Balance Bronx 10 Mile (September 24) A chance to enjoy the special character of the city’s northernmost borough, with a start and finish near Yankee Stadium. NYRR Staten Island Half (October 8) A perfect tune-up run for the TCS New York City Marathon, with beautiful views of New York Harbor and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

In addition to our Five Borough Series, we offer 5K races at a number of the NYRR Five-Borough Series events: New Balance Bronx 5K (September 24) Whether it's your first 5K or your 50th, this race gives you the chance to enjoy all that our new race title sponsor New Balance brings to the party. NYRR Staten Island 5K (October 8) This is a great race for beginners and experienced runners alike, with views of Manhattan and a finish in Richmond County Bank Ballpark. The 2017 NYRR Five-Borough Series showcases our commitment to the individuals and communities in each borough. More than just five races, the Five-Borough Series—the United Airlines NYC Half, the Airbnb Brooklyn Half, the NYRR Queens 10K, the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile, and the NYRR Staten Island Half—is a celebration of what makes each borough unique, inspiring, and an amazing place to get out and get moving! Come with us on a runner's journey through the five boroughs of NYC and experience what makes them special.

Eligibility for entry to the 2018 United Airlines NYC Half will be guaranteed for NYRR members who have an active membership by the last qualifying event of the 2017 NYRR Five-Borough Series (NYRR Staten Island Half on October 8), and who run four of the following six events in 2017: Fred Lebow Manhattan Half, United Airlines NYC Half, Airbnb Brooklyn Half, Queens 10K, New Balance Bronx 10 Mile, and NYRR Staten Island Half. If your schedule prevents you from running a race, please consider volunteering . Stay tuned for updates, and get inspired to Run for Life! Click on a race below to register or view results. Icon Key TCS New York City Marathon NYRR.org Copyright ©2017 by New York Road Runners. All rights reserved. NYRR is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. New York City Marathon is a registered trademark of New York Road Runners, Inc. NYRR is a registered trademark of New York Road Runners, Inc.

TCS is a registered trademark of TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES New York City Marathon - ESPN Topics - ESPN New York City Marathon Past Winners The TCS New York City Marathon is an annual road race covering 26.2 miles and held on the first Sunday of November each year in New York City. One of the largest marathons in the world, the event is organized by the New York Road Runners club and attracts many world-class marathoners among the thousands who compete each year. First held in 1971 when the course consisted of several loops around Central Park, the New York City Marathon now covers parts of all five boroughs of the city. The first New York City Marathon was held in 1970, when 127 participants entered the 26.2-mile race that looped several times within Central Park in Manhattan. Only 55 runners finished the race organized by the New York Road Runners (NYRR) club, with Gary Muhrcke winning in a time of 2:31:38. A women's division was added the following year, with Beth Bonner completing the race in under three hours to claim first place.

Event co-founder Fred Lebow of NYRR redrew the marathon course in 1976 so that each of New York City's five boroughs were included over the 26.2-mile distance. More than 2,000 runners took part in that 1976 marathon, when Bill Rodgers won his first of four straight marathons. With the sport of distance running gaining popularity in the late 1970s, participation in the New York Marathon began to see a boost in participation as the race attracted the world's top runners. More than 9,000 people took part in 1978, when Grete Waitz of Norway set a women's marathon world record, finishing in 2:32:30. Waitz then won eight of the next ten years in New York to become the race's dominant performer of the 1980s; her nine titles remain the most by any individual in the history of the New York City marathon.

Other highlights of the decade included Alberto Salazar's three straight wins from 1980 to 1982 and the Italian pair of Orlando Pizzolato and Gianni Poli combining to take three first-place finishes. When international sanctions against South African athletes were lifted in 1992, Willie Mtolo chose to run the New York City Marathon and finished atop the field. Two years later, Kenya's Tegla Loroupe won the women's race, proving that African women were on par with that continent's men in long-distance events. International stars have continued to feature at the New York City Marathon, which added an official wheelchair division in 2000. The race has grown to become one of the most competitive wheelchair marathons in the world, with hundreds of wheelchair and handcycle athletes taking part, in addition to a variety of ambulatory athletes with disabilities. Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia set the course record by winning the 2001 race in 2:07:43. The course record for the women is also held by an African -- Kenya's Margaret Okayo -- who won the 2003 race in 2:22:31.

That year, ING became the title sponsor of the race and joined with NYRR to begin funding grassroots running and fitness programs throughout New York City related to the event. The local community continues to play a part in the marathon, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the streets on race day to cheer on participants in what has become the world's largest marathon. Race organizers now receive more than 100,000 applicants annually, with over 35,000 entrants the norm over the past few years. The vast numbers of participants have led to some modifications to create space for runners. In 2002, NYRR created a separate start for the professional women, to highlight one of the more competitive women's fields in race history. In 2008, organizers staged three wave starts to reduce congestion at the start, along the course, and at the finish. In 2009, the 40th running of the event, Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the race since Salazar in 1982, crossing the finish line in 2:09:15.

Ethiopian Derartu Tulu took the women's crown in 2:28:52. The next year, in 2010, Gebre Gebremarium became the first debutant to win the race since 1983 when he crossed the finish line in 2:08:14. When New York and its surrounding communities were damaged by Hurricane Sandy shortly before the scheduled running of the 2012 marathon, organizers decided to cancel the race for the year. It returned in 2013 with a field of 50,740 runners and Kenyans Geoffrey Mutai and Priscah Jeptoo winning the men's and women's races, respectively. The New York City Marathon course covers parts of all five boroughs of the city, beginning on the Staten Island side of the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge before moving through the streets of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx and finishing in Manhattan (in Central Park). The race begins on Staten Island and the approach to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, which is closed to vehicular traffic for the marathon.

The thousands of runners are separated into three groups to ease congestion at the start, with portions using either side of the upper level of the bridge or the westbound side of the lower level. After crossing the bridge, runners head into Brooklyn for more than ten miles and passing through such neighborhoods as Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Williamsburg. The Pulaski Bridge marks the halfway point of the race as runners enter Long Island City, Queens. The course covers more than two miles in Queens before reaching another bridge -- the Queensboro Bridge -- that leads into Manhattan. Racers then proceed north on First Avenue and move into The Bronx after crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge. After about a mile in The Bronx, the course moves back into Manhattan via the Madison Avenue Bridge. The marathon route then heads south through Harlem down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park. Runners head across Central Park South before re-entering Central Park at Columbus Circle, and finishing the 26.2 mile race outside Tavern on the Green. NYC Marathon: Five Boroughs, Five Beers | Competitor.com NYC Marathon: Five Boroughs, Five Beers By Brian Metzler , Published Oct. 30, 2013, Updated Oct.

30, 2013 at 10:34 AM UTC Members of the Seattle-based 5 Boroughs, 5 Beers crew poses for a photo at the Willis Avenue Bridge near Mile 20 of the New York City Marathon course. Photo: Jesse Williams Table of Contents Page 1 of 2 Running the New York City Marathon and drinking five beers is no easy task! Running aside, it’s a somewhat difficult but intriguing feat to drink a beer in each of the five different New York City boroughs in one day or night. But by way of taxi, ferry, subway and plenty of walking, it can be a fun way for locals and visitors alike to imbibe and enjoy a wide variety of Big Apple nightlife. But what about doing it along the New York City Marathon course, which just happens to pass through each of the boroughs on the first Sunday in November? It’s not only possible, but the very unofficial course record is pretty hard to beat if you consider what it takes to run 26.2 miles with at least 60 ounces of beer playing a big role in your hydration strategy.

A group of Seattle-based runners pulled off the feat five times between 2005 and 2010, growing to as many as 20 participants at its peak. They wore custom moisture-wicking race shirts to commemorate the event, accessorized with pink tutus or funny hats and often organized in advance to have friends or bar owners provide them with their cold beverage of choice. “It’s a lot of fun, but it’s definitely about running and not racing,” says Jesse Williams, who is the co–course record-holder for 5 Boroughs, 5 Beers at 3:26 — just more than an hour slower than his own marathon PR of 2:23. “We ran the entire course each time, but we were out there having fun. We’re out there taking group photos, dancing and really enjoying it.” Certainly the organizers of the New York City Marathon would frown upon drinking alcohol during the race. But Williams is quick to point out that he and his barstool running mates were officially entered in the race each time and made it a point never to get in the way of other runners on the course.

New York City Marathon : NYC Parks Subscribe to the Parks History email newsletter to receive notification of new thematic pages as they are published. The History of the New York City Marathon One of New York City's most famous events is the New York City Marathon, which runs each year in early November. Since its modest beginning in Central Park when 127 runners participated in front of a meager cheering section, the race has grown to include over 39,000 participants who traverse the five boroughs in front of, organizers say, two million spectators and a worldwide television audience of 315 million. The modern marathon dates to the first (modern) Olympics in Athens in 1896. The course length is derived from the apocryphal story of the army messenger Pheidippides, who, as the story goes, in 490 B.C. raced 26.2 miles back to Athens from Marathon to give word of the Greek military win over Persia.

In fact, the 26–mile, 385–yard distance was not agreed upon until 1921—the first races were about 40 kilometers (25 miles), which is roughly the distance between Athens and Marathon. Although the New York City Marathon is now the largest such race, it is not the oldest. The Boston Marathon, which began in 1897 after Athens, is the oldest continuous marathon in the world. The New York City Marathon also has several precursors in the area. The first marathon in the metropolitan New York area occurred in Yonkers across the city line in Westchester County in November 1907. The eventual 1908 Olympic gold medalist John J. "Johnny" Hayes won the 25–mile race. The Irish–born Johnny Hayes was an employee of Bloomingdale's, and trained for his Olympic run on the roof of the store at night on a cinder–path track installed by the company.

In the 1908 Olympics, Hayes set a World Record by beating the Italian Dorando Pietri (known simply as "Dorando") after Dorando collapsed upon entering the Olympic Stadium; Hayes was the last gold medalist in the marathon until 1972, when Frank Shorter won the event at Munich, Germany. Marathons Hit City Streets The exciting 1908 Olympic race set off a flurry of marathon mania around the United States, and there were many marathon races in 1908 and 1909 around New York. In 1908, the New York Evening Journal sponsored what appears to have been the first marathon run on New York City streets. The race was run on December 26, 1908, and began in Rye in Westchester County, following the Boston Post Road to Pelham Bay Park, crossing over the Hutchinson River and continuing down Fordham Road to Jerome Avenue, over the Harlem River via the Macomb's Dam Bridge and down Seventh Avenue (now Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard) to 110th Street, finally winding around Central Park via Central Park West down to 59th Street at Columbus Circle.

Marathons in 1908 and 1909 were also run in the second incarnation of Madison Square Garden off of Madison Square Park at 26th Street. The events were considered rematches of the Olympic races and included Dorando and the Onondaga Native American Olympic runner Tom Longboat. In April 1909 Dorando, Hayes, Longboat, and Evening Journal Marathon winner Matthew Maloney competed at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan in a "Marathon Derby." The crowd at the Polo Grounds was estimated at 25,000 and did not include large numbers of people assembled in Times Square to hear news about the race; bookmakers even took bets right in the Polo Grounds; the runner Henri St. Yves, a French waiter, won that battle. Events like "modified marathons" expanded the pool of runners in subsequent years. A large pool of athletes participated in a 12–mile modified marathon from Fordham in the Bronx to City Hall in May 1911. In May 1912, 1,300 runners competed in a repeat of the event, which was sponsored by the Evening Mail.

Other modified marathons included a 15–mile race in Coney Island, Brooklyn in February 1922 and a 16–mile race from Worth Street to 225th Street and Broadway in Manhattan (before Marble Hill was separated by the reconstruction of the Harlem River Ship Canal) in October 1922. And in 1926, Mayor James J. Walker greeted runners at City Hall at the end of the modified marathon. In 1928, a modified marathon sponsored by Il Progresso, the Italian–language daily newspaper, ran from Elm Street in Manhattan to Luna Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn; the event was marred by injuries when participants collided with automobiles in traffic (street closures were less common than now). The Port Chester Marathon, which began in Manhattan and ended in Westchester County, was a major stop on the running circuit from 1925 to 1941.

Held in October, the course ran from Columbus Circle over to 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, north on Fifth Avenue to 138th Street where participants crossed the Harlem River over the Madison Avenue Bridge, continued up the Grand Concourse to Fordham Road, and continued east on the Pelham Parkway to the Boston Post Road into Westchester County. In 1925, Albert Michelsen set a world record that held for ten years running from New York to Port Chester in just under two and–a–half hours. Subsequent races began at Morningside Avenue and 124th Street and ran through Woodlawn in The Bronx. In 1933, one of the runners was hit by an automobile (but still finished). Yet another marathon known as the Long Beach Marathon ran from the New York Athletic Club on Central Park South, over the Queensboro Bridge, through Queens to Jamaica, where runners followed Merrick Boulevard out to Long Beach in Nassau County.

In 1927 the Hopi Native American runner Quanowahu won the race, beating out Albert Michelsen and a Long Island Rail Road train that crossed in front of Michelsen at Long Beach that cost Michelsen to be delayed 14 seconds (though Michelsen, it was noted in reports, cut corners during the race instead of running down the center of the roadway). Another marathon was held on September 12, 1948 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the consolidation of New York City. Organized by the Queens Committee for the Commemoration of the Golden Anniversary of the City of New York, in connection with the Jefferson Democratic Club, the course ran from Idlewild Airport in Queens (now John F. Kennedy International Airport) to the World's Fair grounds at Flushing Meadows. 1948 Boston Marathon winner Gerard Cote competed in the race. The New York City Marathon Is Born The precursor of the New York City Marathon that we know today was the Cherry Tree Marathon, which ran through Bronx streets in February from 1959 to 1970 on Washington's Birthday (thus the name).

The Cherry Tree Marathon was organized by the Road Runners Club–New York Association, now known as New York Road Runners (NYRR), which was established in June 1958. The original 40–member group has blossomed into 45,000 members and expanded to include other running–related activities and programs. The group's first meeting was held at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx where it elected 1952 Olympian Ted Corbitt as its first president. The Cherry Tree Marathons started and finished in Macombs Dam Park near Yankee Stadium, running north up Sedgwick Avenue along the Harlem River and looping back again three times. The February race days were sometimes problematic; in 1963, runners faced near–blizzard conditions. During the 1960s, the Road Runners Club also ran a 35–mile "supermarathon" in Alley Pond Park in Queens. There were about 250 members in 1970 when NYRR produced the inaugural New York City Marathon in Central Park. The first New York City Marathon was staged entirely in Central Park and had 127 participants, only one of them female.

The course was four loops around the park, and the first ten finishers received wristwatches. (Today, the male and female winners receive $130,000.) Race organizer Fred Lebow (1932–1994) used his own money to purchase the prizes. The winner of the first race, Gary Muhrcke, a New York City fireman, finished with a time of 2:31:38, well off the then–world record of 2:08:34 (although world records later fell in the New York Marathon; in 1981, running great Alberto Salazar set a new world record of 2:08:13). The New York City Marathon grew steadily in subsequent years, though not without its mishaps. In 1971, marathon organizers added a finish–line banner but printed the lettering on the wrong side, and in 1972, six women raced under protest against the Amateur Athletic Union rule that had women start ten minutes after the men. Still, the race's popularity increased, and in 1973 new sponsors Olympic Airways contributed an all–expenses paid trip to Athens for the race winner.

Today, the ING New York City Marathon has dozens of sponsors and partners (ING has been the title sponsor of the New York City Marathon since 2003). The Route In honor of the Bicentennial, in 1976 the Marathon was re–routed to travel through the streets of all five boroughs, highlighting New York's diverse population, and in 1977 the route expanded into more neighborhoods. Race organizers intended it to be a model for other marathon courses, and the route in fact highlights some of the city's most important landmarks, including many parks. From Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island to Central Park, the race route makes for an excellent tour of the city. In Brooklyn, runners pass by or through Leif Ericson Park in Bay Ridge, J.J. Byrne Park in Park Slope, Fowler Square in Fort Greene and McCarren Park in Greenpoint. In Queens, runners make a turn at Old Hickory Park just off the Pulaski Bridge in Long Island City and hang a right at Gordon Triangle before getting on the Queensboro Bridge.

The race swings by Graham Square in the Bronx before heading back into Manhattan where runners skirt around Marcus Garvey Park and eventually into Central Park, where it all began in 1970. Notable Runners For 2008, the elite competition included 21 Olympians and six Olympic medalists. Notable runners in the past include Alberto Salazar, who besides breaking the world record in 1981 ran the fastest debut marathon in history in 1980 and won the race. Bill Rogers won the marathon four consecutive times from 1976 to 1979. Norwegian Grete Waitz was a nine–time Marathon champ and was honored in 2008 on the 30th anniversary of her first New York City Marathon win with her image on the finisher medal. Waitz set a world record at the New York City Marathon on October 28, 1978 with a time of 2:32:30, just off the pace of the first (male) marathon winner just eight years earlier.

(NYRR's annual half–marathon is known as "Grete's Great Gallop.") In 1992, Waitz ran with NYRR President Fred Lebow when Lebow was suffering from brain cancer; he finished the race in just over five and–a–half hours. Each year a statue of Lebow created by Jesus Ygnacio Dominguez depicting Lebow checking his watch in his trademark running suit and hat is placed near the Marathon's finish line near the West Drive at 67th Street in Central Park to greet runners. Many celebrities and prominent figures have run the marathon, including Family Ties' Meredith Baxter (1982), rock star David Lee Roth (1987), author Haruki Murakami (1991), actor William (Billy) Baldwin (1992), former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann (1993), Austrian politician J?rg Haider (1999), Sean "P. Diddy" Combs (2003), 2008 Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (2006), Lance Armstrong (2006), and Katie Holmes (2007).

In 2008, Olympians Brandi Chastain (soccer) and Kerri Strug (gymnastics) ran, as well as model, actress, and Howard Stern spouse Beth Ostrosky (who ran to benefit the North Shore Animal League on Long Island), and Scarlett Johansson husband/actor Ryan Reynolds (who supported Team Fox, the fund–raising arm of the Michael J. Fox Foundation to find a cure for Parkinson's disease). Growing Popularity and Staff In 1981, ABC Sports began televising the race, the year Salazar set the world record, and in 1982 the marathon became the highest–rated sports show of the day for the network. A waiting list was instituted in 1982 as well, and today over 105,000 entrants compete in a lottery system for roughly 39,000 slots (a portion of the entrants guarantee their participation by running in support of affiliated charity). Racers come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, and it is a custom of sorts for some runners, though not the lead runners, to dress in elaborate costumes.

The statistics for the New York City Marathon are impressive in themselves. NYRR has over 100 staff working year–round on the marathon. More than 6,000 volunteers participate on race day. 2,500 media credentials are issued. And the Barilla Marathon Eve Dinner feeds 15,000 marathoners and their guests 6,840 pounds of pasta, 1,800 pounds of salad, 15,000 apples, and 18,000 cans of light beer (!). At the starting line, NYRR sets up 1,450 portable toilets, hands out 30,000 PowerBars and 90,000 bottles of water, and serves 40,000 cups of coffee. During the race, volunteers will hand out 62,370 gallons of water and 32,040 gallons of Gatorade in 2,250,000 paper cups while 80 photographers snap 450,000 photos of racers.

And the 41 medical aid stations along the way are outfitted with over five tons of ice, 13,475 adhesive bandages, and 390 tubs of Vaseline. Whether you're a participant or spectator, the New York City Marathon is a major event, and Parks is pleased to be a part of it. Related Links New York City Marathon | Runner's World Privacy Policy | About Us New York City Marathon The New York City Marathon is the world’s largest marathon, with more than 50,000 finishers each year. Here’s what you need to know to enter, train for, and run this marquee event. For more news and advice about the 2016 NYC Marathon, scroll down the page . Race Date The marathon is held on the first Sunday of November. (In 2016, it is November 6.) Race date coincides with the end of Daylight Saving Time, meaning that you’ll get an extra hour of sleep the night before the race as clocks are set back. Gaining Entry There are several ways to get a bib number for the New York City Marathon. In 2016, the entry fee was $216 for U.S.

residents who are members of the New York Road Runners, which organizes the race. It was $255 for U.S. residents who aren’t NYRR members and $347 for non-U.S. residents. NYRR holds a random drawing to allot several thousand spots. Applicants pay an $11 fee to be included in the drawing, which typically occurs in March for that year’s marathon. The number of people who gain entry through the drawing varies widely from year to year. In 2015, it was 14,326, while for the 2016 race it was 19,083. The odds of getting in through the drawing also change each year, depending on how many people pay to apply. In 2015, 18 percent of applicants got a number through the drawing, compared to 23.2 percent in 2016. The application fee is not refunded to those who don’t get a number through the drawing.

(The race drawing will be free for the next three years because of a recent lawsuit , but the race itself will cost more.) Adding to the complexity of the drawing is that there are separate drawings for three pools of applicants: people who live in New York City and within 60 miles of the city; U.S. residents who live outside the New York metro area; and people who live outside the United States. There are several other ways to help you obtain a number, which includes running other New York Road Runners races, volunteering, running for charity, and entering because of previous race performances. Head to NYRR.org to see all the other ways you can run in the Big Apple. The Race Course When it was first run in 1970, the New York City Marathon consisted of four laps of Central Park. In 1976 the race moved to its tour of the city’s five boroughs. There have been tweaks to the course over the years, but the basic design has remained the same for decades. The race begins on Staten Island. Almost all of the first two miles is spent crossing the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Miles 2 through 12 are run in Brooklyn.

The halfway point is on the Pulaski Bridge as runners enter Queens. During the 15th mile, runners head up a ramp to get on the Queensboro Bridge, which takes them to First Avenue in Manhattan. A run over the Willis Avenue Bridge takes runners briefly into the Bronx in the 20th mile. Runners then reenter Manhattan and head down Fifth Avenue to enter Central Park in the 23rd mile. Runners exit the park just after the 25-mile mark to run along Central Park South, reenter the park at Columbus Circle, and finish approximately 600 meters later by Tavern on the Green. Because of the bridges and late-race hills in Central Park, the New York City Marathon isn’t considered a fast course. See “How to Run the Course” below for expert advice on how to tackle it. Watch our video tour of the course here . How to Train for the Course On top of standard marathon training, you’ll want to prepare for two challenging aspects of running the New York City Marathon. First, the most difficult part of the course is the final section in Central Park. The last three and a half miles feature a series of rolling hills, some of them quite steep.

The uphills will drain you mentally and physically, while the pounding on the downhills will make your legs more tired. Frequently shifting from up to down makes it difficult to get in a just-get-me-to-the-finish rhythm. Simulate the finish on some of your long runs. Map out courses with lots of climbs and descents in the final miles. Pick up the pace for the few miles before the undulating end section so that you’re accustomed to tackling the terrain when already tired. Focus on a steady rhythm and good form on the uphills and staying relaxed and controlled (rather than slamming on the brakes with hard heel strikes) on the downhills. The other NYC-specific element to practice is logistical. On race day, it will be several hours between when you wake and when you start running. In contrast, your typical long run probably starts early in the morning, relatively soon after you get up. Do at least two long runs that mimic race day. After you wake, eat a small breakfast like what you’ll have on race morning. Then wait three or more hours to start your long run.

These simulations are opportunities to test pre-marathon foods that work best for you, and will prepare you physically and mentally for the marathon’s late morning start. You can find our marathon training plans here . Race-Day Logistics Runners can check a bag at the start to be transported to the finish, or opt not to check a bag. If you check a bag, you’ll walk three-quarters or one mile past the finish to retrieve it before exiting Central Park. Along with plenty of warm clothes, consider packing a loose, comfortable pair of shoes to change into after the race, because you’ll likely have more walking to do. If you don’t check a bag, you’ll receive an insulated poncho after finishing and exit Central Park half a mile from the finish. This is a good option if you know you can quickly get into warm clothes after the race, either by meeting someone or staying near the finish. Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll want to bring clothes to wear during your time at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island before the start. Also bring something to sit on. It’s a good idea to wear something in addition to your race outfit when you’re called to your start corral.

You might be held in place there for half an hour or more, and it’s always cool and windy on the bridge. Clothes discarded on Staten Island are collected to donate to charity. After the finish, it will be a while until you exit the park. Don’t count on getting outside food and drink soon. Grab what’s offered post-race, even if you’re not immediately hungry. Before leaving for the start, arrange to meet family and friends in a specific spot after the race. Pro tip: Pick a spot a few blocks removed from Central Park West, which will be extraordinarily crowded. When planning how to get to your race-weekend lodging, don’t count on being able to catch a taxi. The longer your trip back to your lodging, the more clothing you should pack, and the more food and drink your greeters should have ready for you. How to Run the Course Be careful the first two miles. Don’t worry about a slow opening mile while you run uphill amid thousands of others. Elites in the New York City Marathon often run the opening mile 30 or more seconds slower than they wind up averaging for the race. The second mile is downhill. Don’t try to make up for lost time by speeding through it.

Doing so will beat up your quads and come back to haunt you later in the race. Once you’re on the wide, flat streets of Brooklyn, settle in to a good rhythm for the next several miles. For most of the rest of the race, you’ll be running past what are perhaps the loudest crowds you’ll ever encounter. The experience can be overwhelming, especially if you do most of your training solo or with a few others in peaceful settings. Use the time in Brooklyn to get used to the noise so that you can concentrate on the task at hand. The next significant occurrence is crossing the Queensboro Bridge. After big crowds in Brooklyn, it will be odd to have quiet for about a mile and a half. The bridge’s metal grates will be covered with carpet on race day. Make sure to stay on the carpet while you take in the amazing views of Manhattan. As you enter First Avenue in Manhattan, you’ll be hit by a wall of noise from the huge crowds. Don’t let their enthusiasm spur you to pick up your pace. As the elites like to say, you don’t win the New York City Marathon on First Avenue, but you can lose it.

After all, in other marathons you don’t suddenly throw in a surge from miles 17 to 19. The short section in the Bronx will be much quieter. It’s a good time to do a form check and gather yourself mentally for the final 10K. Along Fifth Avenue you’ll be back to loud crowds. Now’s the time to draw on them to keep running strong. When you enter Central Park in the 24th mile, you’ll hit the most varying terrain of the race. Concentrate on remaining upright with short, quick steps on the uphills and running lightly on the downhills. Pick someone a little ahead of you to try to catch. After you do so, pick someone else ahead of you, and keep trying to pass other runners throughout your time in the park. Imagine that the crowds are cheering only for you. Use the flat stretch along Central Park South for one last form check as you gather yourself to reenter the park. Then give it everything you have in the final uphill 600 meters to the finish.

New York Marathon 2014: Route, Course Map, Times, Event Details | Bleacher Report New York Marathon 2014: Route, Course Map, Times, Event Details By Scott Polacek , Featured Columnist Nov 1, 2014 Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse more stories Maddie Meyer/Getty Images 0 Comments For one day, the constant hustle and bustle and nonstop traffic on the streets of New York City will be replaced by the sounds of running shoes pounding the pavement throughout the five boroughs. It is only fitting that one of the world’s most famous races takes place in one of the world’s most famous cities, and that is set to once again be the case on Sunday during the 44th edition of the New York City Marathon. At some point during the race, the millionth finisher in the event’s history will cross the Central Park finish line. Here is a look at the start times for the race. The event will be televised on ESPN 2 from 9 a.m. ET, with live streaming available on Watch ESPN. 2014 NYC Marathon Start Times Time (ET) Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge 8:55 a.m.

Achilles Handcycle Category and Select Athletes with Disabilities 9:10 a.m. Wave 1 (including Professional Men) 10:05 a.m. Wave 4 tcsnycmarathon.org The Marathon starts on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and finishes in famed Central Park. It will cover all five boroughs and give participants a glance at the geographical diversity that defines New York City. Here is a look at the actual route map. Courtesy of NYRR Perhaps the most important part of the entire route for runners is the elevation profile. With that in mind, here is a glance at the various hills and flat terrains the athletes will be forced to deal with on Sunday. Courtesy of NYRR As the event’s official website notes, "The 2014 TCS New York City Marathon prize purse totals a guaranteed $705,000, with potential time bonuses. The men’s and women’s champions will each receive $100,000." Mark Lennihan/Associated Press Marathons are never just about the running, though.

It is those additional goodies or festivities that help define the marathon experience, and that will certainly be the case on Sunday. Runners will be given a free breakfast, water and refreshments along the route at every mile beginning at mile three, as well as a recovery bag at the finish line, among other things. The bag will contain water, Gatorade, snacks and more. There will also be more than 130 bands performing along the route, which is more musical entertainment than any race in the world. Runners and spectators should also look for entertainment zones throughout the course. The New York City Marathon is also defined by the thousands of spectators who line the 26.2-mile route. Though they are not permitted at the start or on the initial bridge, there will be cheering zones along the course that feature sign-making supplies, giveaways and DJs. Andrew Burton/Getty Images Spectators who hope to see as much of the course as possible are encouraged to use the subway system, since there are a number of streets closed to traffic because of the runners. There will also be a designated family reunion section on Central Park West between 60th Street and 66th Street to help with the congestion at the finish line.

The area will be organized by the first letter of the runners’ last names. In addition to the tens of thousands of runners, there will be a unique New York twist in this year’s event. The Foot Locker Challenge will feature one runner from each borough who will run together for the first 13.1 miles and then race to the finish line from there. Whoever wins among the five receives a trophy as the Foot Locker Five-Borough Challenge champion. Andrew Burton/Getty Images Each of the five runners has drawn inspiration from running that has helped them deal with challenges. Their detailed stories can be found here on the event’s official website. As for the actual competition for the New York City Marathon crown, the women’s side is absolutely loaded. There are four competitors who have run under two hours and 20 minutes and three who list past championships at this event on their resume.

Brianne Mirecki of ESPN.com explained why Edna Kiplagat of Kenya is considered the favorite in a field that includes Buzunesh Deba, Firehiwot Dado, Jemima Sumgong and Jelena Prokopcuka: Kiplagat has the best combination of experience and recent results of anyone in the field, with a win in London in April and the second-fastest non-Boston marathon time this year. (Boston's net downhill course can produce inflated times that are not recognized by some record-keeping bodies.) Kiplagat knows how to win in New York, taking the victory there in 2010, but she's also had her share of misses, placing a distant ninth last year. This year she's already won a World Marathon Major race with her victory in London, and she ran an impressive 1:07:57 in the half-marathon in Glasgow on October 5. As an established competitor on the world stage, Kiplagat should be fit and savvy enough to cross the finish line first in Central Park this year.

The runner to watch on the men’s side is Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya because any time the two-time defending champion is in the field he will have eyes upon him. The 33-year-old champion won the 2011 New York City Marathon, 2012 Berlin Marathon and 2013 New York City Marathon (the 2012 New York City Marathon was cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy). Alex Goodlett/Getty Images Mutai is a perfect two-for-two in New York and actually set the course record in 2011. Who wins? 40.5% Total votes: 42 He won in 2013 by absolutely dominating the rest of the field in the final four miles with an incredible stretch run. He discussed that finish with LetsRun.com : I think that was a good area because there was not so much wind. So when I was deciding to go, I was feeling okay, the wind was not there. For me, I was not looking to say I’ve tried to leave anyone, but I was focusing at the end. A third straight title would certainly make Mutai the toast of the City That Never Sleeps.

*The 2014 TCS New York City Marathon Runner Handbook can be found here with more information on the course, various activities, timing of the event and details for race day. *Race information and details courtesy of the New York City Marathon’s official website . History of the New York City Marathon | TCS New York City Marathon >history of the new york city marathon History of the New York City Marathon The first New York City Marathon, organized in 1970 by Fred Lebow and Vince Chiappetta, was held entirely in Central Park. Of 127 entrants, only 55 men finished; the sole female entrant dropped out due to illness. Winners were given inexpensive wristwatches and recycled baseball and bowling trophies. The entry fee was $1 and the total event budget was $1,000. In 1976, Lebow and 2,090 entrants took the New York City Marathon to the streets of the five boroughs in a moving celebration of sport and diversity. The course included five bridges, and winners Bill Rodgers and Miki Gorman shattered the event records.

Two years later, at the 1978 New York City Marathon, Grete Waitz of Norway, a track Olympian who’d never run farther than 12 miles, won the race in a world-record 2:32:30. Rodgers overcame 75-degree temperatures to become the race’s first three-time winner, and he added a fourth the next year, when Waitz broke her own world record. In 1980, NCAA track champion Alberto Salazar boldly predicted that he would run sub-2:10 in his first marathon. He made good on his promise by winning in 2:09:41, the fastest-ever debut by an American, while Waitz captured her third straight victory and set another world record. Salazar won again in both 1981 and 1982. The 1992 race produced perhaps the most poignant moment in New York City Marathon history when Lebow, in remission from brain cancer, crossed the line in 5:32:34 with Waitz by his side.

Shortly before the race’s 25th anniversary in 1994, Fred Lebow succumbed to cancer and Allan Steinfeld became race director. Gérman Silva of Mexico famously took a wrong turn into Central Park in the 26th mile and came back to win. Women’s champ Tegla Loroupe, a Kenyan, became the first female African winner of a major marathon. The marathon has always been an exercise in community spirit, and that was especially true in November 2001, less than two months after the September 11 terrorist attacks. The race became a symbol of hope and renewal for participants, spectators, and all New Yorkers. Patriotism ran high as Deena Drossin (later Kastor) ran 2:26:58, the fastest debut by an American woman, to win the national title. ING, a global financial services company, became the marathon’s first title sponsor in 2003 and joined with NYRR to initiate grassroots running and fitness programs among the city’s youth. Margaret Okayo of Kenya broke her own course record, running 2:22:31.

In 2004, world record-holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain won the women’s race by three seconds over Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei in the closest women’s finish in race history. Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland set a women’s wheelchair course record by six minutes. The 2005 race saw yet another close finish as world record-holder Paul Tergat of Kenya edged defending champion Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa by a mere three-tenths of a second. Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa set a course record of 1:31:11 in winning the men’s wheelchair race, but it was smashed the next year by Kurt Fearnley of Australia, who set the current record of 1:29:22. Martin Lel of Kenya won a second laurel wreath in 2007, the day after Ryan Hall ran 2:09:02 to win the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, hosted by NYRR in Central Park. In a front-running tour de force, Radcliffe led from the start and finally dropped Ethiopia’s Gete Wami with 400 meters remaining.

In the women’s wheelchair race, Hunkeler smashed her own 2004 course record. In 2008, Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil won his second title (he’d been a surprise winner in 2006), and defending champion Radcliffe again took the lead from the gun and held on to win her third title; only Grete Waitz has more. Kara Goucher, in third, set an American marathon debut record of 2:25:53. In 2009, the marathon’s 40th running, Meb Keflezighi became the first American winner since Alberto Salazar’s third win in 1982. Still more records were set in 2011. Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya blasted away from the fastest field in race history and sliced two minutes and 31 seconds from Tesfaye Jifar’s 2001 record.

Amanda McGrory cut two minutes and 14 seconds from Edith Wolf Hunkeler’s women’s wheelchair course mark with her 1:50:24, and Masazumi Soejima became the event’s first-ever Japanese champion when he took the men’s wheelchair race in 1:31:41. The total of 47,340 finishers was a new record, too. The 2012 New York City Marathon was cancelled due to the effects of Superstorm Sandy. On Sunday, November 4, thousands of runners joined together to run in Central Park, and many others traveled to Staten Island and elsewhere in and around NYC to support recovery efforts. Marathoners were able to choose either a refund of their 2012 entry fee or a guaranteed entry to the 2013, 2014, or 2015 marathon or the 2013 NYC Half. The 2013 New York City Marathon returned the event to its place as New York City’s best day. A record 50,000+ runners finished the race, the most in any marathon ever.

The 2014 TCS New York City Marathon again had a record number of finishers: 50,530. The event also saw a reimagining of the major urban marathon as a result of the new year-round premier partnership between NYRR and title sponsor Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The 2015 TCS New York City Marathon had 49,595 finishers, again making it the largest marathon in the world that year. The 2016 TCS New York City Marathon on November 6, 2016, had a record number of finishers, 51,388, setting a new mark as the the largest marathon on the world. Ghirmay Ghebreslassie of Eritrea became the youngest male winner in race history; Mary Keitany of Kenya won the women's race for the third consecutive time. Wheelchair champions were Marcel Hug of Switzerland and Tatyana McFadden of the United States (winning the marathon grand slam for the fourth time). The 2017 TCS New York City Marathon will take place Sunday, November 5, 2017.

countdown to the TCS New York City Marathon - Race Details TCS New York City Marathon New York City, NY USA November 6, 2016 ING New York City Marathon New York Road Runners I have run this marathon, and I want to add my comments about it. Number of comments: 598 [displaying comments 1 to 11] Amazing experience. Must for marathoners. (about: 2016) Course: 5 Organization: 5 Fans: 5 Luis Rosell from Iowa (12/3/16) 11-50 previous marathons | 1 New York City Marathon Logistics are amazing. To get 51,000 people to one place and keep everyone safe is great. I had the 10:50 start and I took the 5:25 bus so I had a long wait. I knew it going in so not bothersome. Village had coffee, hot chocolate, bagels, power bars and Dunkin Donuts gave everyone warm hats to wear while waiting. I highly recommend going early and bring a magazine and a blanket or find someone to talk to and time will fly by.

Met some great people and talked running. The course is great. A parade the whole way except on bridges. Ponchos at the finish are amazing and definitely a keeper. When done, you have to walk about 1/2 mile and then a few blocks to get out but my Uber took only FIVE minutes to get me and I was in my hotel within 10 minutes. If you want a lot of food and drinks at the end then this is not your race. Expo was the biggest I have ever seen. Makes Boston look small. No lines. As the play Hamilton says, 'in the greatest city in the world.' Thanks NYC.... Marathoner's dream (about: 2016) Sergio Leonardi from Houston (11/21/16) 50+ previous marathons | 1 New York City Marathon I was lucky to finally be selected to run after about half a dozen attempts with the lottery. Everything was EXCELLENT  organization, spectators, security, course, experience.

It is difficult to add something that has not been said in other comments, but I will try: - Massive race with 50,000 participants, and everyone either went through a metal detector or was manually scanned. Really thorough process that required incredible planning. - Note that late start. Most other races start at 7:00, so a few hours delay will alter your race day nutrition and bathroom strategies. - Elevation change was more significant than expected, especially the long bridges. - Getting to the start line in Staten Island could take a lot of time. Some people will tell you 90' is adequate from the ferry, it took me a lot more (30' ferry, more than 60' in line to board a bus, and about another 60' on the bus in a traffic jam). As a result I missed my wave and was delayed by 25 minutes. If your ferry time looks incredibly early, go ahead and take it anyway! - No hot food at the finish line, hot cocoa was only available inside the medical tents. Maybe I am spoiled for expecting a better meal as in other races. - The finisher's poncho is great, well worth it to skip the gear check option.

- Runners were getting a free subway ride at the station near the finish line. - Spectators lined almost the full 26.2 miles. Great support that makes you feel guilty if you stop :) Running the NYC marathon is truly an incredible experience, even for someone who has participated in other important marathons. Glad I did it once (about: 2016) Course: 5 Organization: 2 Fans: 4 P. H. from Chicago, Illinois, United States (11/17/16) 11-50 previous marathons | 1 New York City Marathon I loved the course. It was beautiful, the crowds were great and the music along the course was really good. Getting there 4 hours before the race was OK, I can understand the logistical nightmare this race must be. Opening the corrals 15-20 minutes before the race started was horrible. I stretching and all of a sudden there are hundreds of runners from slower corrals pushing past me. I have no idea why they had the ropes between the corrals at all.

The Big City Knows How to Organize Big Events (about: 2015) Course: 5 Organization: 5 Fans: 5 W. W. from Los Angeles (2/11/16) 11-50 previous marathons | 1 New York City Marathon I was very lucky to be able to squeeze into the time qualify guarantee entry. In one of the race a year before, my full length marathon was 2 minutes behind NYC qualify time. However, my first half, as recorded by the event was two minutes ahead of the NYC qualified time. With a quote of the address recording my score, I was able to 'squeeze' in. The different color, different wave, and different corral made a huge difference to minimize the starting line crowd problems, which happens to almost all Marathon event, including Boston Marathon starting line. The runners with different color bib going through different routes in the first few miles is a brilliant idea and the best practice to allow 50k runners to safely going through the starting line and not getting too crowded in the first few miles. Kudos to the organizers for they carefully studied the route capacity and for they engineered the runner flow.

It is fun to run through all five boroughs of New York, Before that, I have never set my foot on all five boroughs. What an experience it was. The aid stations were well organized. The security was excellent. Seeing the green flag to tell everyone that you are safe to run through our city. I realized that the city mayor's starting the event shout was absolutely true: 'Runners, today, the streets of New York are yours.' The optional bag check is a good idea. It minimized the crowd at the finish line. The only thing I hope it can be better is the connections between the end of NYC marathon and the NYC subway system. I don't complain the $3.00 I have to pay. It is nothing in comparing with the $255 registration fee; my LA<>NY air tickets; and my hotel stay in Manhattan.

I feel I need to speak out for those cannot find their way to a subway station because of no sign leading to the stations; for those cannot buy ticket because of fatigue after the 26.2 miles and the nearest station is a no-man service ticket system only; for those don't know how to buy tickets because of the different language they speak/read; for those stared at the ticket machine don;t know what to do because of they have not prepared money, or not prepared the exact change for the tickets. I enjoyed the event. Thanks to all the cheers along the way; thanks to all volunteers' help along the way; thanks to all security guards' efforts along the way; thanks to all fun sign and slogans along the way; thanks to all music and entertaining along the way. And thanks to the well organized event from the start to the almost end, and the details to the every step of the way along the way. At the very end, you guys still missing some cares  help the runners back to their hotels, specially for those non New York runners. Bucket list race (about: 2015) Course: 4 Organization: 5 Fans: 5 R. S.

from Brazil (11/13/15) 1 previous marathon | 1 New York City Marathon An amazing race, where the crowds are the main attraction. Picked up Bib Thursday afternoon. Absolutely no lines. Disagree completely on advice to take the ferry. Had a midtown bus reservation at 7:15. Got to the Public Library at 7:00, was on the bus at 7:05 and at Verrazano Bridge at 7:40. Took a further 10 minutes to get off the bus. But it was a totally stress free experience that took a total of 45 minutes. The wait at the starting line is annoying. Had a 10:40 start, so waited almost three hours. Organization should a least build some tents, so runners are not exposed to the elements. It wasn't cold this time, but in 2014 I hear people suffered. A bit difficult to maintain rhythm and pace at the race sometimes, as there are runners everywhere, both faster and slower. The hills can take their toll on the legs, even if they are not too steep. But they are long.

My lungs were ok, but for the first time in my life I experienced cramps, in the last 10 ks of the race. Train some long gradual hills if you're racing NY. Huge inconvenience, amazing crowd, epic race. (about: 2015) Course: 5 Organization: 4 Fans: 5 A. M. from Brooklyn, NY (11/11/15) 2 previous marathons | 1 New York City Marathon It's a gauntlet, and expensive, to get to the start. You're then launched into a cattle-density run through a mostly un-scenic course with the best crowd in the world. Price: $254 entry fee, more expensive than any other non-destination race. Also, runners have to qualify (see the website), or run with a charity with a pretty hefty fundraising goal. Expo: Thurs-Sat before the race, easy to get the bib. The fluff sections with vendors and sponsors were crowded. No proxy pickup. Grab your bib & shirt and leave, get the course info online, and buy your gear elsewhere. There are no deals or silver bullets here.

The Start: A trek any way you do it. Understandable, given the scale, and included in the price, but it took almost as long to get to the start as it did for the race. I had a reservation for the 7:30am ferry to get to my 10:10am wave start time, arrived at the station at 7:10am, and missed the start because it took so long [had to take the next wave]. Theres no verification, so people just get on the first ferry available, which fills to capacity. People then run for the next one, which can also fill to capacity before they get on. Post-ferry, theres a 30-minute line to get on the charter buses, which take about 30 mins to get to the start village. Tips: Buy cheap sweats at Goodwill and wear an old pair of socks over your run socks, then discard them into provided charity bins at the start. Sleep on the ferry and bus, then stretch during the 20mins in the start corral. Take the shorter line at the ferry terminal, even though the longer line is for the next ferry.

The first ferry will fill to capacity before youd get to it, and you'll be in position to get on the next one. Course: This is not a sight-seeing course. The only NYC landmarks included are the Verizano Bridge, Columbus Circle, and Central Park. The rest of the course is nondescript urban areas broken up by bridges between boroughs. However, the crowds are amazingly huge, loud, and everywhere. You're running through their neighborhood, not the tourist section. Over 80% of the course is lined with crowds with great energy and a block-party atmosphere  marching bands, DJs, church choirs, etc. Its a great motivator and distraction. The course is mostly flat, except the rise and fall of the bridges. Water and Gatorade at every mile after the second (save Mile 18, which is just water). One gel station at Mile 19, bananas from 18-25. The streets are wide and generally even asphalt, but there are so many other runners that you'll rarely be without someone in your personal space. Be wary of pile-ups at the fluid stations.

The End: Grandstands and big screens over the last 0.2mi. All runners get a medal, mylar sheet, and recovery bag [fluid, protein, pretzels, fruit] immediately upon finishing. Then its about a mile of walking to exit the secure area. Walking is a good idea to help recover, but runners are again in cattle-lot-density crowds held in by chainlink fence, so it's unpleasant. Extras: Great tech shirt. Iconic medal. Smartphone app for everyone to track your pace and location in real time. Fleece-lined poncho if you don't check a bag. Most everybody is a volunteer and is helpful and friendly. Normally reserved NYCers will compliment you on the way home. Wow, the spectators are amazing (about: 2015) Course: 4 Organization: 4 Fans: 5 M. E. from Copenhagen, Denmark (11/9/15) 4-5 previous marathons | 1 New York City Marathon Love and hated the race. Loved it, because of the course and the spectators, they are fantastic. Every time I ran near the crowds, I got cheered on.

Really helped during the race. I hate it, because of the wait in the start, and the looong walk after the finish. What An Amazing Event!!! (about: 2015) Course: 5 Organization: 5 Fans: 5 seb 5thman from Wish I was in Paris, France but stuck in Denver (11/7/15) 1 previous marathon | 1 New York City Marathon Wow, where to start? The Expo was spectacular. Bib pick-up was a snap, very short lines, and superb organization. The run itself was far more than I expected it to be. Starting on the tip of Staten Island at Fort Wadsworth, then across the bridge to Brooklyn and the other burroughs where the crowds lined both sides of the street. Bands and music on nearly every corner, super funny hand-held signs, and thousands of high-fives and words of encouragement. All throughout the run. The energy of the crowd needs to be experienced because I don't have the words to describe it. The water & Gatorade stations were right where they were supposed to be at every mile.

The GU station was easily located at mile-18, and there were bananas, cold wet sponges, and Halloween candy to keep you going. The only changes I would make: 1) the bus tour of the marathon route thru the NYRR was a big waste of time. It was supposed to last 3-4 hours, but at the 5 1/2 hour mark we were still miles from the finish line. Many on board the bus got off before the trip was finished. The 'historian' guide was short on information, and during the second half of the tour he must have fallen asleep because there was little commentary. 2nd) Runners spend a lot of time in the start villages before the run starts. When called to the start corrals we spent at least an hour standing while moving from one corral to the next. I knew about this before but it does add to the fatigue factor. Special shout-out to the New York Police Department for the exceptional job they did with security and traffic. Dido to the volunteers, especially at the water & aid stations. Overall, an absolutely amazing race. Come prepared and w/ the right expectations...

(about: 2015) Course: 5 Organization: 5 Fans: 5 M. G. from Arizona (11/5/15) 50+ previous marathons | 4-5 New York City Marathons If you prepare, you'll enjoy this race a lot more. Know these things from the get-go so there are no surprises: The city is big and so is this race; it's the largest out there. If you don't like crowds and don't want to tackle huge logistics, choose another race. Expect everything on a large scale. The expo is big, but well-managed. Morning transports to the start line via the bus/ferry have long lines, but they move and are well organized. The staging area is very big with tons of amenities. It takes time to get 50K runners over there so expect a wait. Bring warm clothes/drop cloth/food and some patience. The starting corrals are very organized. The race starts on time and in four waves. There are five bridges to conquer. The first is the steepest and is over in the first mile or two.

On the other side, you're greeted by the first of a MILLION+ fans from there to the finish. Water and Gatorade stops are long and consistent. The ARMY of volunteers are incredible. After 5 bridges and those million+ revelers, you'll finally arrive in Central Park. This is where you'll need your patience the most. Expect a long and uphill walk to retrieve your medal, post-race food bag, first aid, and poncho. This will take time and energy. Expect a 25-45 min walk through there. A reunion area is a further walk still. Once outside the secure zone, you'll need incredible patience and a game plan to find a taxi, pedicab, subway, etc. The warm ponchos are high quality and helps shield you from the day's chill. Expect tons of local media coverage and many updated Facebook posts. There are clocks at every mile. Results are posted quickly. There are 4 clocks at the finish line for all four waves. The medal is highly detailed. The volunteers at all events (pasta feed, expo, bus staging, pre-race village, start line, water stops, finish line, post-finish, and medical tents) are OUTSTANDING.

On the day after, make it back to the park to get your medal engraved and buy finisher stuff if you're game. I'll say it again - be prepared for everything on a BIG scale. You're running with 50,000 others (many foreigners, too) and over a million will cheer you on (their signs will crack you up). Leave the headphones at home - the crowds and music will keep you going. There are many walkers and the field is crowded start-to-finish. With several bridges and some uphills throughout, don't expect a PR - this is an event to take in no matter your pace. Best, most EPIC Race - Ever! (about: 2015) Course: 5 Organization: 5 Fans: 5 J. M. from Jacksonville, Florida (11/5/15) 4-5 previous marathons No other race compares to the NYC Marathon (and I have run to many races to count). Lottery participant in 2015 (1st time applying). Could find no fault with any portion of the event.

Expo, transportation, staff, course markings, timing, medal - everything was professional and executed perfectly. YES, there is a long wait at the start - but, skip the buses and take the SIF (Staten Is Ferry). I took the 645am ferry, then shuttle to village, and arrived at 750am. My corral opened 30min later at 830am, and I was off at 950am. Yes, for those in Wave 4, there is a long wait (esp if you take the buses) - take the SIF and your wait will be reduced. Prepare for the hills of Central Park (and the Queensboro Bridge)..train for those challenges, and you will enjoy your race. Crowds are incredible. The entry fee is more than fair, when you consider everything that is required to shut down 26.2 miles of NYC for an entire day.

How to Enter The New York City Marathon | The Active Times How to Enter The New York City Marathon There are several different ways to reserve a spot in the race Mar 17, 2014 | 12:51 pm By Katie Rosenbrock New York Road Runners So, you want to run the New York City Marathon? If you’re unfamiliar with the race’s somewhat complicated and ultra-exclusive application process then you’ll want to take few moments to learn about the different ways you can earn your bib. That’s right. Runners must earn their entry into this highly sought after race. After all, it’s considered one of the most iconic marathons in the entire world. If New York Road Runners accepted every athlete vying for a shot to run 26.2 miles through the five boroughs of New York City each year, well let’s just say there definitely wouldn’t be enough space or resources to accommodate all of them. That’s why the organization has established an application process that provides runners with a few different options for earning entry. Here are the different ways you can go about claiming a highly-coveted spot in this epic and exhilarating road race.

Through Guaranteed Entry As of 2014, there are several different ways to earn guaranteed entry into the NYC Marathon. Complete the 9+1 or 9+$1K program . This applies to New York Road Runner members who complete nine scored, qualifying races and volunteered at one NYRR event or donated $1,000 to NYRR’s Youth and Community Services programs in the year leading up to the following NYC Marathon event. Meet a qualifying time standard in a NYRR race between January 1 and December 31 in the year leading up to the following NYC Marathon event. (For more details about this method and a list of qualifying times click here .) Complete 15 previous NYC Marathons. (Note: This form of guaranteed entry will only continue to be available to runners who finish their fifteenth NYC Marathon before 2016.) Runners who were denied entry through the lottery drawings (see non-guaranteed entry methods below) three times in a row for 2011, 2012, and 2013 will receive guaranteed entry; however 2014 is the final year that NYC Marathon entry will be offered through this arrangement.

Earning guaranteed entry through one of these methods does not automatically secure your spot in the race. When the race application opens (usually in January) runners who’ve completed one of the above provisions must officially reserve their spot by filling out the race entry form online and paying the race entry fee before a given deadline (usually in mid-March). Through Non-Guaranteed Entry Runners who have not achieved guaranteed entry but wish to run the race can apply online for spot through a lottery drawing. The lottery drawing includes three different categories and entrants are selected through random drawings from each applicant pool. The three categories include: NYC-metro area applicants (residents in and within 60 miles of New York City) National applications (U.S. residents outside of the tri-state area) International applicants (non-U.S. residents including Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories) Because the total number of available spots isn’t known until after the guaranteed entry deadline the lottery drawing is typically held several days after the deadline date. Applying for a non-guaranteed spot requires an $11 non-refundable application fee and applicants will automatically be charged for the race entry fee if their entry is selected.

Through Charity Runners can earn a guaranteed spot in the NYC Marathon by raising money for one of the race’s 25 official charity partners. NYRR offers four different levels of charity partners (gold, bronze, silver and community), each of which provide runners with a variety of race bonuses like training plans, coaches, and nutrition clinics. Fundraising commitments and deadlines differ for each charity team. Click here to browse the charity list and read more about how to apply through this method. Apply as an Athlete with a Disability or a Guide Athletes with disabilities are eligible to apply for entry into the NYC Marathon through the non-guaranteed entry drawing mentioned above. Disabled athletes who require a guide are required to register their guide through Achilles International . Guides are permitted to accompany the disabled athlete but cannot push a wheelchair or handcycle through the course. Special requirements apply for handcycle athletes who wish to apply for entry into the marathon.

Question: Through how many of the 5 boroughs of New York City does the New York marathon run?
Answer: 5