Marathon Milestone: 50th Anniversary Race Approaches

Sixty thousand runners will begin crossing the Verrazzano Bridge on November 1, marking the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon's five-borough route. The race starts at 8 a.m. and continues in waves until 11:30 a.m., with participants traversing Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan before finishing near the Tavern on the Green in Central Park.

The current course structure dates to 1976. Before that change, the event existed as a race contained entirely within Central Park, a format introduced in 1970. The shift to a path that touches all five boroughs transformed the event into a global competition. Since 1976, the route has connected diverse neighborhoods and international participants, solidifying its status as a premier sporting event.

Last year, 59,226 runners from 130 countries completed the race. Organizers expect the 2026 field to exceed that number. The average finish time for 2025 was four hours, 32 minutes, and 25 seconds. Hellen Obiri won the women's division with a time of two hours, 19 minutes, and 51 seconds. Benson Kipruto won the men's division in two hours, 8 minutes, and 9 seconds. Both winners are 35 years old and represent Kenya.

The 26.2-mile route begins on Staten Island and moves into Brooklyn via the Verrazzano Bridge. Runners proceed through Fort Hamilton, Bay Ridge, and Park Slope. The path continues through Clinton Hill, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint before crossing the Pulaski Bridge into Queens. The Queens segment is brief, leading to a short stop in Manhattan via the Ed Koch-Queensboro Bridge.

From there, runners travel north on First Avenue into the South Bronx. The course returns to Manhattan for a descent down Fifth Avenue. The final miles border Central Park before turning into the park at Columbus Circle. Spectators are generally allowed along the route from mile 3 to mile 26. Special fan zones are designated after mile 8, before mile 22, and after mile 19 for charity participants.

Traffic closures will affect every street on the course, including the Verrazzano and Queensboro Bridges. Portions of First and Fifth Avenue will also be closed. The MTA advises drivers to use detours or avoid the area. Subway service will be impacted, with the MTA website providing updated options on race day.

Live coverage will air on ESPN2 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. ET. A two-hour show on ABC will air from 3 to 5 p.m. ET, featuring celebrity and everyday runners crossing the finish line. The NYRR app and online platforms will provide live tracking for remote viewers. Official results will be posted online following the conclusion of the race.