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The NYC Marathon is this Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know.
By
Precious Fondren
Published Oct 31, 2023
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By
Precious Fondren
Published Oct 31, 2023
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It’s almost that time of year when approximately 50,000 people race across the five boroughs for the New York City Marathon. This year’s event takes place Sunday, Nov. 5, which is also when daylight saving time ends.
Participants will run through parts of every single borough, beginning on Staten Island and finishing in Central Park.
“It's beautiful to see so many people from everywhere come and run the race, said Ted Metellus, the director of the race, which is officially known as the TCS New York City Marathon.
Below is a guide to what New Yorkers need to know about Sunday's race.
When does the marathon start?
The race officially starts at 8 a.m. but there are different start times for different divisions, and runners are divided into waves.
The men’s professional wheelchair division will kick things off at exactly 8 a.m., followed by the women’s professional wheelchair division at 8:02 a.m., according to Metellus.
Here are other start times for the other divisions:
8:22 a.m.: Handcycle Category and Select Athletes with Disabilities
8:40 a.m.: Professional Women’s Open Division
9:05 a.m.: Professional Men’s Open Division
9:10 a.m.: Wave 1
9:45 a.m.: Wave 2
10:20 a.m.: Wave 3
10:55 a.m.: Wave 4
11:30 a.m.: Wave 5
How long do people take to run the course?
In 2022, 47,839 people finished the 26.2-mile course. Finishers took an average time of about 4 hours, 50 minutes, and 26 seconds, according to the New York Road Runners' website.
Last year’s winners included long-distance runner Evans Chebet, who won the men’s division with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 41 seconds.
Sharon Lokedi won the 2022 women’s division, finishing the race in 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 23 seconds, in her marathon debut.
You can see this year’s course here.
What roads will be closed?
Many, many roads across the city will be inaccessible to cars due to the marathon, so be prepared to adjust your travel plans on Sunday. Some roads will remain closed until the evening.
Before heading out Sunday, check the NYPD’s list of road closures and the MTA’s Planned Service Changes.
NYRR also has a list of streets that will be closed here.
Where can I cheer?
The sidelines will be “open to spectators from mile 3 to mile 26," according to NYRR's website.
For $60, you can watch the race at the finish line. You can learn more here.
Metellus, the race organizer, recommended people cheer along Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn.
He added that in Queens, the approach to the Queensboro Bridge is “amazing.”
As for Manhattan, Metellus said First Avenue is “incredible.”
And finally, he said, “the boogie-down Bronx always shows love, which is [at] mile 20, off Alexander Avenue, 138th Street.”
Metellus also recommended people download the TCS New York City Marathon App if they’re trying to track a loved one who’s racing.
How can I watch the marathon from home?
You can watch the marathon live on the TCS New York City Marathon App.
If you prefer a bigger screen, you can see the marathon on WABC-TV, Channel 7, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Viewers can also stream the race via the ABC 7 New York App and ABC7NY.com from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tagged
running
new york city
events
marathon
Precious Fondren
Precious is a former WNYC & Gothamist culture reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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