Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
More than 55,000 runners take to the streets for the NYC Marathon
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Nov 2, 2025
Modified Nov 2, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Helen Ho
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Nov 2, 2025
Modified Nov 2, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It’s Marathon Day in New York City.
The world-renowned 26.2-mile course that spans all five boroughs is back for its 54th race, bringing in both runners and spectators from around the globe.
According to New York Road Runners, more than 55,000 runners were expected to participate in Sunday’s TCS New York City Marathon. The weather on Sunday morning was ideal for runners with temperatures in the mid-to-high 50s, clear skies, low wind and sunny.
Kenya’s Benson Kipruto won the men’s race in a photo finish, while Hellen Obiri, also from Kenya, defended her title in the women’s division and set a new course record. Marcel Hug of Switzerland and American Susannah Scaroni were the top finishers in the wheelchair races.
A costumed pup offers "Free Blessings."
Helen Ho
Near the race’s halfway point between Williamsburg and Greenpoint, spectators cheered and clanked their cowbells for athletes making their way through the course. The professional men’s wheelchair division passed first, followed by the women’s professional wheelchair division, professional women’s runners and then the professional men’s. The general runner’s division followed.
Marathon runners pass BAM as spectators cheer from the sidelines.
Helen Ho
One of the spectators, 31-year-old Jeff Lee, flew in from Seattle to surprise his friend Daniel Kunkel who ran the race.
“For the culture of the running community, it’s huge,” Lee said. “A lot of people make the trip out here because it’s such a great event for community and people all over the world come to see it. And it’s just an amazing day for people just to support one another.”
Lee carried a sign with a photo of his friend with the caption, “Let me cook.”
Jeff Lee of Seattle came to New York to support a friend running the marathon.
Ramsey Khalifeh
Like Lee, many of Sunday morning’s spectators were out-of-towners. Monika Foster, 37, was visiting New York from Lugano, Switzerland. She said she loves trail running and called the New York race one of the best in the world.
“It makes me always very emotional to see them running by, because I feel like it’s such an important part of my life,” Foster said. “Just to recover, to keep myself healthy and just enjoy the nature, especially in the trails.”
Marathoner Matt James shares a slice of watermelon with spectators Mackenzie Roberts and Abby Ogburn
Helen Ho
The New York City Marathon hosted its first race in 1970, when the entrance fee was a single dollar and only 55 runners finished the course, according to New York Road Runners.
In 2014, the marathon saw its one millionth runner finish the race in its history. And just last year, the marathon beat the world record for the largest ever marathon by total finishers at 55,646 people, according to the event organizers.
Spectators line up in Brooklyn as runners push through.
Helen Ho
The 2026 race will mark 50 years since the event has covered all five boroughs.
This story has been updated with new information.
A marathoner clad in a Brooklyn Dodgers-style throwback uniform
Helen Ho
Tagged
marathon
new york city
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .