The NYC Marathon: Race Guide & Coverage

The main route is through the NYRR lottery drawing, which typically opens each January. In 2026, just 1% of applicants were accepted. You can also qualify via a time standard, earn guaranteed entry through NYRR’s 9+1 program (run 9 qualifying races + volunteer at 1), run for a charity partner, or use an international tour operator. Read our complete entry guide for all the details.

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is expected to take place on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The race starts on Staten Island with wave starts beginning around 9:00 AM ET. The professional women’s race starts first, followed by the professional men and then the mass field in waves.

The classic course starts with a dramatic crossing of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island, then winds through all five boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan before finishing in Central Park. The bridges create challenging climbs, especially the Queensboro Bridge at mile 16. The course is rolling with no major flat stretches. Read our mile-by-mile breakdown.

Time qualification standards vary by age and gender. For men aged 18–34, the standard is 2:53:00; for women 18–34, it’s 3:13:00. These times must be achieved at an officially measured marathon within the qualifying window. The 9+1 guaranteed entry program is an alternative that doesn’t require a specific time.

The best spectator spots include Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn (miles 2–7), the Queensboro Bridge exit onto First Avenue (mile 16 — the loudest spot on the course), Fifth Avenue in Harlem near mile 23, and the finish area in Central Park. First Avenue is considered the emotional highlight for runners, where the wall of sound after the silent Queensboro Bridge can bring runners to tears.