Nov 04, 2021 · Runners begin to hear Bay Ridge for a quarter-mile or so before they are on the land. Take it easy. All that noise and plenty more will be there soon enough, during the couple of turns through the...
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Information below, including maps, timelines, and charts, will be updated for 2021. The TCS New York City Marathon course runs 26.2 miles through the five boroughs of NYC.
The TCS New York City Marathon course is completely closed to vehicular traffic during the race; see the schedule of bridge and road closures. Sweep buses follow the marathon route at a 6 1/2-hour marathon pace (about 15 minutes/mile) after the final wave start.
All course clocks are set to correspond to wave 1. Timing is located at the start, every 5K (3.1 miles) to 40K, the half-marathon (13.1 miles), every mile beginning at mile 8, and the finish. There are video checkpoints and volunteers checking race numbers along the course.
They can also call the Runner Information Hotline at 800.496.6193. If you have not completed the course, do not go through the finish line, or you will be disqualified and barred from future TCS New York City Marathons. Instead, enter Central Park at West 72nd Street 6:00-7:00 p.m. to claim your checked bag.
My first piece of advice: book your hotel as soon as you know for sure that you will be running the New York Marathon. I’ve seen people struggle to find a place to stay because they waited too long to book their hotel – and hotels do fill up for marathon weekend, especially around Midtown Manhattan, which is the perfect place to base yourself.
Monitor the weather the weeks leading up to the race to get an idea of the weather in New York City if you’re traveling from another state or another country, and keep in mind that the race takes place in November. On the East Coast, November means COLD.
Obviously, there are hundreds of great food options in New York City, and I recommend consulting GoogleMaps for recommendations in the area you’re staying, but here are some great places to carb load the day before the race:
If you plan it right, you can have your family and friends cheer you on at several points throughout the race. I recommend printing out this TCS NYC Marathon course map which has the closest subway stations marked near every mile.
If you’re planning to buy the marathon photo package, don’t forget to smile for the cameras as you’re crossing the finish line, and stop for one of the official photographers who are waiting just behind the finish line to take everyone’s photo with their newly achieved medals.
If you’re thinking about eating a proper meal right after running the New York Marathon, be aware that all the restaurants near Central Park West where the race ends will be PACKED – not just with marathon runners, but also with the regular Sunday brunch crowds. Unless you make a reservation, you won’t be very lucky finding food nearby.
I’ve found it super helpful to join a couple of NYC marathon groups on Facebook. That way, you can easily connect with other people running the New York Marathon, even meet up for a communal dinner the night before the race or celebratory drinks after the race, and most importantly: ask about anything.
Runners can enter the New York City Marathon via a few different avenues. There is a non-guaranteed entry drawing (the New York Marathon lottery), divided into “NYC-metro area” applicants, other “National” applicants and “International” applicants.
If I had my time again, I might have gone to New York sooner, as the Marathon vibe and shenanigans commence that week (follow @nymarathon on Instagram). Honestly, the whole city is into the marathon vibe. It’s the best.
There are many international partners for the New York Marathon and they offer event packages. Simply search NYC Marathon packages by country. We opted for a 3-night package that included accommodation at The New Yorker and race day entry. Our package included accommodation up to and including race day night.
So, you’ve booked your accommodation, entry and flights. But the only guarantee you’ll get to that finish line is through dedication to your training. As soon as you start clocking some serious kilometres, you’ll realise chafe is very real, blisters are the devil and nutrition is key.
When it comes to New York marathon gear the rule is: New everything. New shoes, new socks, new running belt, new water bottles, new anti-chafe stick, new lollies, new running gloves and neck warmer (you’ll be training in winter and running in the New York cold), many new pairs of tights, new visor, new sunscreen, new fave running shirts.
Again, only wear clothes you have been training in (nothing new on race day).
Sooner than you know, you’ll hit “peak week” (your maximum kilometres week), and then you’ll be on smooth sailing to event week. Next thing you know, you’ll be boarding a plane bound for New York City. When you get to New York, you’ll be super excited and super exhausted, so hopefully you can get a good night’s sleep.