Our staff provide live coverage of the 2024 New York City Marathon, including moment-by-moment updates and insights of both the elite races and the experience of the world record course. Coverage begins Sunday, Nov. 3 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Follow along here.
The 2024 New York City Marathon, the final Abbott World Marathon Major of the year, is upon us, and the course is notorious for being one of the most challenging. Beginning in Staten Island and finishing in Central Park, the course is renowned for bringing runners through all five boroughs of the Big Apple.
What this scenic trip means for runners, however, is lots of bridges (aka hills) and lots of turns, which aren’t exactly what you’d look for in a fast or easy marathon course (but really, is any marathon course actually easy).
Let’s break down the course mile-by-mile to understand the challenges ahead for athletes.
The Starting Line: Staten Island (Miles 1-2)
The race begins on Staten Island, where runners cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The incline on this mile-long bridge can be deceptive, with a climb of approximately 150 feet, but runners quickly descend into Brooklyn. The bridge is usually windy, so if you’re running the race, especially for the first time, keep in mind you’ll need to conserve energy and stay controlled here.
Brooklyn (Miles 3-12)
Brooklyn is the longest section of the race (nearly half the course) and is mostly flat terrain. Runners will get a near-complete tour of Brooklyn: Bay Ridge, Greenpoint, Sunset Park, into the hipster capital of the world, Williamsburg. This section is mercifully straight, with long stretches for runners to cruise and get into a steady rhythm. Mile 8 near Fort Greene typically brings big crowds, and Williamsburg’s Mile 10 is known for its big energy. If you’re part of the race, make sure to pace yourself and stay calm through these jacked up sections with lots of crowds. As the next stage has some quiet stretches, especially with Pulaski Bridge coming up fast.
Watch our editors break down the 2024 New York City Marathon course on the most recent episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast:
Queens (Miles 13-15)
After crossing the Pulaski Bridge around the halfway mark, runners enter Queens. The bridge’s gradual incline provides a decent challenge before descending into Long Island City. By this stage in the race, runners should have settled in and found their pace for the second half, which is more challenging than the first. When runners exit the bridge on a slight downhill, they’ll encounter supportive crowds, but overall, it’s one of the quieter portions of the race. The Queensboro Bridge, coming up next, is known to be much tougher due to its incline and isolated feeling.
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Queensboro Bridge to Manhattan (Miles 16-18)
The Queensboro Bridge (Mile 15) is known to be one of the most challenging moments on the course. This mile-long stretch is one of the steepest climbs in the race and does not have any spectators, so mental toughness comes to the forefront here. After a steady climb, runners descend into Manhattan on First Avenue, where the noise and energy from the crowd are instantly invigorating. It’s one of the highlights of the New York City Marathon experience. However, the enthusiasm, combined with the downhill, can push runners to go too fast here, so controlling the pace is key.
Upper Manhattan and the Bronx (Miles 19-21)
Runners head north along First Avenue through Upper Manhattan, where the streets are wide and filled with cheering spectators. The crowds thin as they approach the Willis Avenue Bridge and enter the Bronx around Mile 20. This short section through the Bronx has another bridge incline but is known for its enthusiastic support. This is where many runners experience “hitting the wall,” so focusing on hydration and fueling (especially before this point) is critical.
Return to Manhattan and Fifth Avenue (Miles 22-23)
Crossing the Madison Avenue Bridge brings runners back into Manhattan. Here, runners head south on Fifth Avenue, where a gradual incline at Mile 23 can be challenging, especially for tired runners. This portion is lined with spectators, which is often some much-needed late-race motivation. The course then flattens out near Marcus Garvey Park, offering a brief respite before the final push.
Central Park Finish (Miles 24-26.2)
The course enters Central Park around Mile 24, where rolling hills add to already-fatigued legs. At Mile 25, runners encounter another hill near “Cat Hill”, one of the biggest end-of-race tests. As they approach Columbus Circle, they re-enter Central Park for the final stretch, greeted by the cheering crowd at the finish line. This last section requires perseverance as runners navigate slight inclines before crossing the finish near Tavern on the Green.
Want to learn more about the 2024 New York City Marathon? We’ve got everything from elite start lists, storylines to follow, prize money, how to watch, and more in our guide: Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 New York City Marathon.
