The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, taking place every November in New York City, USA. First held in 1970, it has grown into one of the most celebrated and diverse marathons in the world.

The race begins on Staten Island and winds through all five boroughs, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan, before finishing in Central Park. It is known for its unique urban landscape and lively crowd support, making it a favorite among both elite and amateur runners.

The 2026 race takes place on Sunday, November 1, drawing a record-breaking field, with many runners using the event to raise funds for charity. This marathon embodies the spirit of the city, celebrating resilience, community, and the joy of running.

We’re beyond excited to bring you the ultimate Runna race lead-up first-hand on the streets of New York! We have some exciting activations planned over race weekend and we would love to see you all there.

Register your interest here and we’ll keep you posted on what we have in store, where to find us, and how to join in.

Packing for race day is crucial. Not only is it important to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything vital, but also to get that pre-race buzz going. Here are some things to consider:

Wear your race-day outfit before you head to the start village on Staten Island. New York in early November usually brings cool autumn weather, which can be great for running, but you want to be warmed up before you get going.

Morning temperatures at the start often sit between 7°C and 11°C (45°F to 55°F), with afternoon highs typically reaching 12°C to 17°C (54°F to 63°F).

While November can bring around 9 to 10 days of rain, it’s often light, though the breeze over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge at the start can make it feel colder. Keep this in mind when choosing your race-day layers and packing options!

Top Tip: pin your race number onto your kit the night before, to save any last-minute stress in the morning.

Pack any gels, chews or snacks you've used in training. It's always good to bring your own so you know you're prepared. You’ll also find our official NYC partner, Maurten, providing on-course nutrition at the Gel Depots at miles 12 and 18. Supplies on the course are limited, so carry your own fuel and treat the depots as a top-up.

It’s a good idea to bring an old jumper or sweatshirt, and even a waterproof, to the start village on Staten Island. November mornings in NYC can be chilly, damp, and unpredictable, even if the rest of the day warms up.

Layer up with clothes you don’t mind discarding before the race. These items are collected at the start and donated to local charities.

Pack a warm top, spare socks, blister plasters, and a recovery snack for after the race. See the bag check section below for how this works in 2026.

Charge your phone, watch, and headphones the night before. Download any necessary playlists which will get you through those tougher moments.

The TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, on 11th Avenue between West 35th and West 36th Streets, Manhattan, on October 29–31, 2026.

Here’s what to know before you go:

This vibrant three-day event also features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest in running gear, nutrition, and technology, along with exclusive marathon merchandise.

The NYRR Running Lab runs free mile-by-mile course strategy sessions and hands out free pace bands, so it’s well worth building in time to explore.

For more information, please click here.

You will have already selected your official transportation option through your NYRR dashboard, and you are required to use the option you chose.

New for 2026: you pick your mode (ferry or bus) and NYRR assigns your departure time based on your pace. If your expected finish time is four hours or more, NYRR recommends the Staten Island Ferry so you arrive closer to your wave start.

Be sure to arrive early to allow time for security checks and to settle in before the race begins.

Staten Island Ferry

Midtown Manhattan Bus

New Jersey Bus

Please find further information and confirm the latest on your selected transportation here.

Only registered runners and guides are allowed into Fort Wadsworth, so have your race number visible. The color of your number tells you your start village. The only bag allowed in is the clear official start village bag you collected at the Expo, and all bags are subject to inspection, so check the official prohibited items list before you travel.

While you wait, you’ll find 1,600+ toilets, medical staff in each village, and amenities (while supplies last) including Gatorade Endurance Formula, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and bagels. Wear extra layers to stay warm and drop them in the labelled bins, which are donated.

There are also dedicated lactation spaces, a sensory space for a calmer pre-race moment, ASL interpreters, and Culligan water refill stations.

The marathon starts in five waves, each with its own start time. Your wave, color, and corral are printed on your bib, and these can’t be changed. You can move to a later wave or corral, but never an earlier or faster one.

Start times are subject to change. Your finish time is your net time from when you cross the start line, not the gun time.

This marathon is renowned for its unique and diverse course, offering runners an unforgettable experience. The race begins on Staten Island and finishes in Central Park, guiding participants through all five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.

2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, first run in 1976. To celebrate the milestone and reduce the race’s impact on the Bronx, the course has a small adjustment this year, its first change in 15 years.

After crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners take a slightly revised route through the Bronx before heading back over the Madison Avenue Bridge into Manhattan. It’s a subtle change, but a nice piece of history to be part of.

The atmosphere is electric, with more than a million spectators lining the streets to cheer runners on and celebrate the city’s vibrant culture. Along the course you’ll find water and Gatorade Endurance Formula at official stations most miles from mile 3, Culligan refill stations in each borough, Maurten gels at miles 12 and 18, bananas around mile 21, and medical aid and toilets roughly every mile from mile 3.

Since the marathon features a diverse course, you’ll have the opportunity to fully utilize the race day workout provided by Runna. Expect pacing alerts and audio cues similar to those during your training runs, helping you stay on track.

Start off at a comfortable pace and aim to negative split by the halfway mark. The support along the route is incredible, and you'll truly enjoy the experience!

If you’d like extra support, the NYRR Pace Team runs free pace groups across a wide range of finish times, so look for their blue-and-white-striped singlets in the corrals. You can also pick up free pace bands at the NYRR Running Lab at the Expo.

Be aware that the tall buildings and skyscrapers in the city can cause some GPS issues on race day, so it's a good idea to rely on the mile markers and your own instincts regarding your marathon pace.

Here are a few more tips on marathon pacing for you too!

The course is designed around a 16-minute-per-mile pace, timed from the final wave’s start. If you fall behind this pace, some fluid stations and course amenities may no longer be available, and you may be asked to move to the sidewalks or board a sweep bus, which takes runners who wish to stop to the post-finish area.

Official finishers are recorded through 10:00 p.m. ET, regardless of your start time. Finish by then and you’ll receive your medal, an official result, 9+1 credit toward guaranteed entry next year, and your star in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star program. Cross after 10:00 p.m. and you’ll still get a finisher medal, just not an official result.

Most of the course is open to spectators from mile 3 to mile 26, and there are plenty of free places to cheer. There is no spectator viewing at the start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, so supporters are best heading out onto the course.

Popular spots include Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Greenpoint, First Avenue in Manhattan (miles 16–18), and Fifth Avenue before the Central Park finish. The subway is the best way to move between them, so check mta.info for any planned service changes.

The finish is on West Drive in Central Park. Grandstand seating tickets are available for 2026 (enter at West 62nd Street and Broadway), with more information to come, and there is a standing spectator area inside the park on a first-come basis.

Prefer to watch from afar?

The race is broadcast live on TV and streaming on race morning, so check your local listings. Friends and family can also follow your progress live in the NYRR App.

Once you've finished your marathon, it’s time to soak up that post-race high, reunite with loved ones, and celebrate your accomplishment! It’s a good idea to have a post-finish plan with friends and family ahead of time, since phone service may be unreliable in and around the post-finish area due to congestion.

After exiting Central Park at West 77th Street, you will leave the runners-only zone and may exit via West 75th Street, West 74th Street, or West 69th Street on Central Park West, or continue south to Family Reunion. As you cross the finish line, MarathonFoto will capture your picture and video, so keep your race number visible, look up, and smile!

If you checked a bag, collect it by entering Central Park West at 62nd Street and speaking to an NYRR staff member. After 7:00 p.m., any unclaimed bags move to the NYRR RUNCENTER for pickup on Marathon Monday, November 2.

Read more information about the finish line here.

You did it! Now it's time to celebrate! Grab a drink, loosen your shoelaces, and take some time to stretch and enjoy the moment.

Best of luck with the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, and most importantly, have fun!

Take in the sights and have the best time - we will be with you every step of the way.

Check out the video below for more of our coaches' top tips for race day!