Katie Sagal
New York City Marathon 2019 Guide
The TCS New York City Marathon is an annual race held each November in NYC. It is arguably the second-most famous marathon in the United States, after the one and only Boston Marathon. It attracts tens of thousands of runners each year, making it the largest marathon in the world by the number of runners. It’s also one of the six World Marathon Majors, so it’s among the most prestigious races in the entire world. It’s been held every year since 1970, except for 2012 when it was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy. If you’re planning to come to NYC to run the New York City Marathon, coming to cheer for a friend, or just hoping to see a bit of the race during your visit, check out this complete guide to the NYC Marathon. 
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When is the New York City Marathon?
The New York City Marathon for this year will take place on November 3, 2019. It’s scheduled for a Sunday to minimize disruptions to commuting patterns as several streets will be closed for several hours. However, be aware that they will block off many streets, re-route buses, and temporarily close some subway stations.What is the New York City Marathon Course?
One of the coolest and most unique things about the New York City Marathon is that its 26.2 miles purposefully encompass land in all five boroughs. It’s ideal for runners who want to sightsee while running, too! The course begins on Staten Island and finishes in Central Park. For a full course map and additional details, see the race website.Things to Know about the New York City Marathon
For Runners...
- Runners will start in multiple waves throughout the morning, beginning with men’s professional wheelchair at 8:30 am and ending with Wave 4 at 11:00 am.
- While hand-held water and fuel belts are permitted, Camelbaks and other such gear are prohibited from the course.
- You’ll find water and refueling stations every mile from Mile 3 to Mile 25.
- There are mile-markers and clocks at every mile; the first 8 miles will be color-coded to correspond to your start corral color.
- Race day is race week! Check out the many events leading up to Sunday’s big event on the race website to make the most of your experience.
- The course will start to close after about 6.5 hours, with a sweep bus coming along each mile progressively. Runners are welcome to continue the race after this point but should be aware that the course will no longer be completely closed to traffic.
For Spectators...
- There is no place for spectators at the start line or along the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge due to space constraints, so you’ll need to station yourselves along the course.
- The halfway point, Pulaski Bridge, is closed to spectators. Most fans wait on the Queens side for the runners to proceed past halfway.
- You will need Grandstand tickets to see the final few yards of the race around Central Park.
- For full info on the best spots to cheer on runners, see below.
- They do not allow spectators at the finish line. Meet your runner after the race at the Family Reunion zone on Central Park West between West 62nd and West 65th streets.
- There’s a party for spectators! At the New Balance Mile 16 Block Party, you can enjoy a DJ, live music, and much more.
- Because of the marathon’s expansive scope, portions of the city will be closed for several hours, some for the entire day. Check out the closures for more details.
- There are several prohibited items that spectators can’t bring to the course. Consult the website for full details.
Best Spots to Watch Your Runner on the Course
- Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn (Miles 2-4)
- Fourth Avenue and Atlantic Avenue (Mile 8)
- Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn (Miles 10-13)
- Pulaski Bridge (Mile 13.1)
- New Balance Mile 16 Block Party (First Avenue at 62nd Street)
- First Avenue, Manhattan (Miles 16-18)
- East Harlem (Miles 18-20)
- Fifth Avenue, East 90th Street-East 105th Street (Miles 23-24)
- 67th Street on West Drive (Finish)