The New York Marathon: Info and Course

The New York Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the world. It attracts nearly 50,000 participants from around the globe each year.

What You Need to Know About the New York Marathon

The New York City Marathon first took place in 1970. Back then, only 127 runners participated and the entry fee was just $1. Traditionally, the marathon is held on the first Sunday in November.
The marathon route crosses all five boroughs of New York. The race always starts on Staten Island. From there, runners take the Verrazano Bridge into Brooklyn, then head to Queens. They cross the Queensboro Bridge to reach Manhattan, running down Fifth Avenue alongside Central Park. The finish line is always in Central Park, near Sheep Meadow, with views of Midtown’s skyscrapers.
In 2024, more than 55,500 runners crossed the finish line: 30,600 men and 24,700 women. The New York Marathon attracts competitors from around the world. In 2024, runners came from 137 different countries.
The next New York Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Kenyan runner Benson Kipruto won the men’s race in 2h08m09s. He finished ahead of fellow Kenyan Alexander Mutiso.
Kenyan Hellen Obiri claimed victory in the women’s race with a time of 2h19m51s. She finished second the previous year. More impressively, she set a new course record, breaking the previous mark of 2h22m31s held since 2003 by fellow Kenyan Margaret Okayo.

If you want to run the New York Marathon, register well in advance. The event is so popular that participation is limited: out of 100,000 applications, only 35,000 bibs are awarded through the lottery. The remaining bibs go to invited runners, including professional athletes.
The first-place finisher receives $130,000, with an additional $70,000 if they have won the race before. This prize money is the same for both men and women.
To register, visit the official organizers’ website.

The men’s course record has been held since 2023 by Ethiopian Tamirat Tola in 2h04m58s.
The women’s course record was set in 2025 by Kenyan Hellen Obiri in 2h19m51s. Those are the times to beat!
For average runners, the median time in 2023 was 4h26m35s for men and 4h56m12s for women. In 2022, it was 4h39m30s for men and 5h04m06s for women. Beyond the times, the New York Marathon is above all a celebration for running enthusiasts. The route and atmosphere are what make it legendary.

The New York Marathon route has remained consistent year after year. It’s a well-established course that takes runners through all five boroughs, offering participants an incredible tour of New York.

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