The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the most famous road races on the planet. It covers 26.2 miles, passes through all five boroughs, crosses five bridges and finishes in Central Park. Organized by New York Road Runners (NYRR), it is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and is held on the first Sunday in November. The 2026 race is scheduled for Sunday, November 1.
Martin Sumichrast, a Charlotte entrepreneur and endurance athlete, has completed the TCS New York City Marathon. This guide covers what the race involves, from getting a bib to crossing the finish line.
TCS New York City Marathon History
The race began small. The first New York City Marathon was held in 1970 entirely inside Central Park. In 1976 it moved to a course that ran through all five boroughs, and that route became the race's identity. The 2026 edition marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course.
Tata Consultancy Services became title sponsor in a deal announced in 2013, and the race has carried the TCS name since 2014.
The field has grown into one of the largest of any marathon. A record 59,135 runners finished in 2025, passing the previous mark of 53,627 set in 2019. Nearly two million spectators line the streets each year.
TCS New York City Marathon Course
The course is point to point. Runners start on Staten Island and finish in Manhattan, with long stretches through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx along the way.
Staten Island and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
The race starts at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The first mile climbs the bridge, which is the steepest climb on the course. Many runners treat it as a warm-up and resist the urge to push early.
Brooklyn
Coming off the bridge, the course enters Brooklyn and stays there for a long stretch. Brooklyn makes up a large share of the race and is known for dense crowds and neighborhood energy.
Queens and the Pulaski Bridge
Runners cross the Pulaski Bridge into Queens at the halfway point, 13.1 miles. The time in Queens is short before the course turns toward the Queensboro Bridge.
The Queensboro Bridge and Manhattan
The Queensboro Bridge carries runners from Queens into Manhattan, where the course heads north up the East Side.
The Bronx and the Return to Manhattan
Runners cross the Willis Avenue Bridge for a brief section in the Bronx, then return to Manhattan over the Madison Avenue Bridge. From there the course runs through Harlem and down Fifth Avenue.
Central Park Finish
The final miles enter Central Park, where rolling hills come late in the race. The finish line sits beside Tavern on the Green. Overall the course has a net drop in elevation, but the bridges and the late park hills make it a harder run than the profile suggests.
How to Get Into the TCS New York City Marathon
Demand far exceeds the number of spots. More than 200,000 people applied for the 2025 race, and only about 2 to 3 percent of lottery entrants were selected. NYRR reported a record of more than 240,000 applicants for 2026.
There are several routes to a bib:
- The drawing. NYRR runs a lottery with separate pools for the New York City metro area, the rest of the country and international runners.
- The 9+1 program. NYRR members who run nine qualifying NYRR races and volunteer at one event earn guaranteed entry for a future year.
- Time qualifiers. Runners who meet NYRR's published time standards can earn guaranteed entry.
- Charity teams. Official charity partners offer entries in exchange for a fundraising commitment.
- Other guaranteed paths. These include certain NYRR membership levels and having completed 15 or more previous New York City Marathons.
Because entry rules change, check NYRR's official site for current standards and deadlines before planning a season around the race.
Training for the TCS New York City Marathon
New York rewards runners who prepare for its specific demands. A few points shape most training plans for this course:
- Practice hills. Five bridges and the Central Park hills add up. Long runs that include climbs, especially late in the run, prepare the legs for the final 10K.
- Plan for a long morning. Runners travel to Staten Island well before their wave starts and spend time waiting in the start village. Practice eating and drinking on a similar schedule during long runs.
- Train through the fall. A November race means the heaviest training falls in late summer and early fall. Heat and humidity during that block can make paces feel harder than they are.
- Control the first mile. The climb up the Verrazzano and the crowds in Brooklyn both pull runners to go out too fast. An even effort usually pays off on Fifth Avenue.
TCS New York City Marathon Race Day
Race morning starts early. Runners choose a transportation option in advance. One common route is the free Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan to St. George, followed by an NYRR bus to Fort Wadsworth. NYRR also runs buses directly to the start. Getting from your boarding point to the start village can take 90 minutes or more, so arriving early matters.
Security at the start is tight. Only the official clear bag handed out at the expo is allowed into Fort Wadsworth. Before race day, runners pick either a bag-check option or a no-bag option. No-bag runners receive a poncho after the finish.
After crossing the line, finishers receive their medal and recovery items and walk out of the park. NYRR's guide notes that exits are on the west side of Central Park and that reaching an exit can take about 45 minutes after finishing. Picking an exact meeting spot with family before the race, a block or so outside the restricted area, saves a lot of searching.
Martin Sumichrast and Marathon Running
For Martin Sumichrast, running is a big part of life outside work. He has completed the TCS New York City Marathon and regularly runs races around the country. Read more about his marathons, travel and live events on the travel page.