The TCS New York City Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, November 1, marking the race’s 50th edition. More than 50,000 runners cross all five boroughs of New York City, from the start on Staten Island across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the finish line in Central Park.
This complete guide covers the 2026 race date, course and route map, entry and lottery odds, start times and runner tracking, and where to store your bags on race day.
NYC Marathon 2026: Key Details
| Date | Sunday, November 1, 2026 (50th edition) |
| Start | Staten Island (Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge), waves from 8:00-11:30 AM ET |
| Finish | Central Park, Manhattan |
| Field size | 50,000+ runners |
| Men’s course record | 2:04:58 — Tamirat Tola (2023) |
| Women’s course record | 2:19:51 — Hellen Obiri (2025) |
The Course and Route Map: All Five Boroughs
The NYC Marathon is famous for touring all five New York City boroughs in a single race: starting on Staten Island, crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn, continuing through Queens, climbing the Queensboro Bridge onto Manhattan’s First Avenue, briefly entering the Bronx via the Willis Avenue Bridge, then finishing back in Manhattan through Central Park. The official route map, published on the NYRR website, marks every mile split, aid station and spectator zone. The route passes some of the loudest, most enthusiastic crowds of any major marathon, especially along First Avenue in Manhattan and Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn.
NYC Marathon 2026 Entry, Lottery and Guaranteed Spots
Entry to the TCS New York City Marathon works through several paths, all managed via NYRR:
- General lottery: extremely competitive — NYRR reported more than 240,000 applications for around 2,400 non-guaranteed spots, roughly a 1% acceptance rate.
- Time qualification (guaranteed entry): runners who meet age-graded qualifying standards get a guaranteed spot.
- NYRR 9+1 program: guaranteed entry for runners who complete 9 NYRR races plus one volunteer shift in a calendar year (note: NYRR is changing this program starting with the 2027 cycle, adding a free eligibility drawing).
- Charity partner programs: guaranteed entry in exchange for fundraising for an official charity.
Entry fees are around $270 for NYRR members and $333 for non-members. Spectating, on the other hand, is completely free along the entire course and doesn’t require a ticket — popular viewing spots like First Avenue and the Central Park finish get packed early on race morning.
Start Times and Tracking Runners
Professional women start around 8:35 AM ET and professional men around 9:05 AM ET, with the general field following in five waves between roughly 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM, split across three start colors (blue, orange, pink) and multiple corrals by projected finish time. Friends and family can follow a runner’s progress live via the official NYRR tracking app, which sends split alerts at multiple checkpoints — useful for planning exactly where and when to catch your runner along the course.
Getting to the Start and Finish
Runners are typically bussed or take the Staten Island Ferry to the start village early on race morning, with NYRR providing detailed transportation info to entrants. Spectators can reach viewing points along the course via the subway, with the 4/5/6 and N/Q/R lines running close to much of the Manhattan portion of the route.
Race Day Tips
- Plan your cheering spots early. First Avenue and the Central Park finish are the busiest and loudest.
- Use the NYRR tracking app. Time your spot along the route to catch your runner at the right checkpoint.
- Expect road closures. Large parts of the five boroughs close to traffic on race day.
- Book accommodation early. Hotels across Manhattan fill up well ahead of race weekend, especially for the 50th edition.
- Travel light if spectating. Security is present at the finish area, and bags slow down movement through crowds.
Luggage Storage for NYC Marathon 2026
Whether you’re flying in for race weekend or checking out of your hotel before heading to cheer on runners, dragging luggage through packed sidewalks and subway crowds isn’t practical. Radical Storage has verified partner locations across New York, so you can drop your bags and get to the course hands-free.
Find a nearby location near Central Park and head to the marathon without your bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
The TCS New York City Marathon 2026 takes place Sunday, November 1, marking the race’s 50th edition, starting on Staten Island and finishing in Central Park.
The men’s record is 2:04:58, set by Tamirat Tola in 2023, and the women’s record is 2:19:51, set by Hellen Obiri in 2025.
Very hard — NYRR reported over 240,000 lottery applications for around 2,400 non-guaranteed spots, roughly a 1% acceptance rate. Guaranteed entry is available via time qualification, the 9+1 program, or charity partners.
Professional women start around 8:35 AM ET and professional men around 9:05 AM ET, with the general field following in waves between about 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
The official NYRR tracking app sends live split alerts at multiple checkpoints along the course, so you can plan exactly when to expect your runner at each viewing spot.
Yes, spectating anywhere along the course, including the Central Park finish, is free and doesn’t require a ticket.
Radical Storage has partner locations across New York near Central Park, ideal for runners and spectators who want to travel light.
