New York has many great days. Opening day at Yankee Stadium. The Fourth of July fireworks. A perfect summer evening in Central Park. But the day that may best capture the city's character is Marathon Sunday. For one day, New York pours its energy into complete strangers.
Every year, more than 50,000 runners wind through all five boroughs. Some are chasing world records or personal bests. Others are raising money for a cause. Many simply want to reach the finish line. Every runner arrives with a different story, and for one Sunday the city becomes part of it.
Long before the starting gun, the day begins at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island.
Before dawn, tens of thousands of runners gather with coffee, bagels, old sweatshirts and nervous smiles. Somehow, an army of volunteers keeps everything moving. They answer questions, calm anxious runners, point people toward the right corrals and get a small city's worth of participants to the starting line on time. Before the first mile, they have already pulled off a minor miracle.
Twenty-five years ago, I was one of those runners. It was a cold, blustery November morning, and it was my first marathon.
One of my biggest surprises was how slowly the race began. Thousands of us streamed onto the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, but for the first mile or two there was not much running. We shuffled forward as the field gradually spread out.
Then comes Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. The race opens up, and so does the city.
The sidewalks are packed. Music pours into the street. Families, neighbors and complete strangers lean over the barricades, ringing cowbells and shouting encouragement. After the slow start, Fourth Avenue feels like a release. You find your pace, and Brooklyn makes sure you knew the city is with you.
It’s one of the best places to watch the marathon.
The next great moment comes much later. Shortly before the Queensboro Bridge, runners pass the halfway mark. Twenty-six point two miles can feel impossible at the start. At 13.1 miles, the finish begins to seem real.
Up next is the climb over the bridge. Other than the opening span over the Verrazzano, it is the biggest climb on the course. You settle in, reach the crest and start down toward Manhattan. You are past halfway, and the largest physical hurdle in front of you is now behind you.
Then you turn onto First Avenue. The crowds are packed shoulder to shoulder. The cheers bounce between the buildings and roll north for blocks. After the work of the bridge, the energy hits all at once. Your legs may be tiring, but First Avenue gives you something back. For a while, the crowd carries you as much as your own legs do.
For spectators, it is hard to beat.
My race changed around mile 20. I pulled into an aid station and told a volunteer, “Something's wrong. My legs are dead.” She sat me down, rubbed gel on my legs and immediately told me I had hypothermia. She wouldn’t let me leave until I put on some warm, donated clothing.
She had already helped plenty of runners that day. For me, she was the difference between stopping and finishing.
I walked the final six miles. By the time I reached Central Park, every step took effort, but the crowds supported me throughout. They seemed to cheer even harder those of us walking than they did for the runners still moving easily. Every shout made the next step a little easier.
When I crossed the finish line, I was not thinking about the clock. I was happy that I had made it, and proud that I had not given up on my first marathon.
Twenty-five years later, I remember the volunteers who got us to the start before sunrise, the woman at mile 20 who knew exactly what I needed, and the strangers in Central Park who kept urging me forward.
New York spends much of the year living up to its reputation as a fast, impatient city. Marathon Sunday shows another side. It has some of the same spirit as the recent Knicks championship run, when the city suddenly feels connected and strangers celebrate together. The marathon creates that feeling block after block, borough after borough.
You do not have to run 26.2 miles to be part of it. Grab a coffee and head to Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, First Avenue on the Upper East Side or Central Park near the finish. Read the runners’ names off their clothes and shout encouragement. It’s a wonderful way to experience the best of NYC’s spirit.
Thinking about running the New York Marathon? You'll find everything you need to know, including entry options, race weekend information, and training resources, on the official TCS New York City Marathon website.
Tips for Watching the New York Marathon
1. Pick one neighborhood and stay there
It can be tempting to chase runners around the city, but street closures and packed subways make that harder than it sounds. Instead, choose one great viewing location and enjoy the atmosphere.
2. Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn is one of the best places to watch
The runners have settled into their pace, the crowds are enthusiastic, and there's plenty of room compared to Manhattan. It's one of the liveliest parts of the course.
3. First Avenue delivers incredible energy
Once runners come off the Queensboro Bridge, they're greeted by wall-to-wall spectators and deafening cheers. It's one of the most exciting places on the course for both runners and spectators.
4. Cheer runners by name
Most runners have their first name printed on their bib or shirt. Hearing a complete stranger shout your name after 20 miles can be surprisingly emotional and gives runners a real boost.
5. Arrive early
The best viewing spots fill up quickly, especially along First Avenue and near the finish in Central Park. If you want a spot along the barricades, don't wait until the leaders arrive.
6. Dress for November weather
Marathon Sunday can be sunny and pleasant or cold and windy. Wear comfortable shoes and layers you'll be happy standing in for several hours.
7. Expect street closures and crowded subways
Many streets are closed for much of the day, and subway stations near the course can get busy. Give yourself extra time getting around.
8. Bring coffee and make a morning of it
One of the best parts of Marathon Sunday is simply soaking up the atmosphere. Grab a coffee and a bagel, find a good spot, and enjoy watching thousands of people chase an extraordinary goal.
9. The finish in Central Park is emotional, even if you don't know anyone running
Late in the afternoon you'll see exhausted runners digging deep for the final stretch. The crowd senses what they've been through, and the cheering only gets louder.
10. You don't have to run to feel part of the marathon
Marathon Sunday belongs to the whole city. Whether you're ringing a cowbell in Brooklyn or cheering in Central Park, you'll quickly find yourself rooting for complete strangers. That's part of what makes it one of New York's best days.
