NYC Marathon Closes Brooklyn Streets for 50th Anniversary Race
60,000 runners will traverse 11 miles of Brooklyn on Sunday, Nov. 1, as the race marks half a century of the five-borough course.
By Elena Greco ·
The New York City Marathon returns to Brooklyn on Sunday, Nov. 1, with 60,000 runners set to complete the 26.2-mile course. The event marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough route, which expanded from its original Central Park-only format to include nearly half of the distance in Brooklyn. The race spans from Bay Ridge in the west to Greenpoint in the east, creating a major logistical event for local commuters and residents.
Local participants are running for personal and community reasons during the 50th anniversary celebration. Giovanni Kyle Sabio, a Bushwick resident born in the Philippines, is running with Team Inspire. He moved to New York City five years ago and described running as a source of confidence and community. Also in Team Inspire is Carroll Gardens resident Sherie Buell, who is running her first marathon with two friends. The group is raising funds for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where their children received treatment for a rare pediatric eye cancer.
Other notable Brooklyn runners include Miraj Mehta from Crown Heights, who is supporting the nonprofit Beginning with Children. Two local public figures are also on the course. Kyle Fraser, a lawyer and “Survivor” winner, is raising money for the Chelsea Piers Foundation. Carl Radke, a “Summer House” star and owner of Soft Bar in Greenpoint, is running in support of Release Recovery.
Spectators have multiple options to view the race, as the route includes 11 miles within the borough. Viewing spots range from Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, miles 2 to 4, to the stretch between Williamsburg and Greenpoint, miles 10 to 13. Several organizations are hosting watch parties along the route. Irish Haven and Sole Cafe NYC will host a joint event at 5721 4th Ave. starting at 8 a.m. The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership will operate a cheer zone at The Plaza, 300 Ashland Place, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. New York Road Runners members can gather at 30 Lafayette Ave. from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Traffic disruptions will affect a large portion of Brooklyn on Sunday. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge upper level will close to all traffic from 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, until 4 p.m. on Sunday. The lower level will close from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Dalgren Place will be closed from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Major arteries including Fourth Avenue, Flatbush Avenue, Lafayette Avenue, Bedford Avenue, Nassau Avenue, and Manhattan Avenue will also close to traffic from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Department of Transportation has designated two pedestrian crossing zones for those needing to cross the route. These zones are located at Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street, and at Bedford Avenue and Broadway. Bus routes in the affected areas may skip stops or take detours. Drivers should check the MTA website for real-time updates and look for “No Parking” signs posted on Saturday night to avoid towing.
The race will conclude as the runners enter Manhattan after passing through the Pulaski Bridge. The Pulaski Bridge will be closed to car traffic from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The event concludes the 50th anniversary season of the five-borough marathon, which has become a defining feature of the city's annual calendar.
