r/RunNYC • • 3d ago

2026 NYC Marathon - Pre-Race Thread

134 Upvotes

2026 TCS New York City Marathon

A lot of info is contained in the Official Runners Guide

Pre-Race

  • Expo at Javits Convention Center
    • Thursday, October 29 - 10:00am-8:00pm (bib pickup closes 7:30pm)
    • Friday, October 30 - 10:00am-8:00pm (bib pickup closes 7:30pm)
    • Saturday, October 31 - 9:00am-5:00pm (bib pickup closes 4:30pm)
  • You must go to the expo and pick up your bib yourself, you will need to bring a photo ID and your confirmation form.
  • Bag check (Pre-Check)
    • Only for those who selected it before September 8, all items must go in the pre-check bag
    • Dropoff
    • Pick up post race in the same location
    • There is NO bag transport from the start to the finish.
      • Anything you bring to Staten Island must fit in the clear NYRR start village bag, and whatever you aren’t running with must be tossed before you exit the corrals
  • Transportation

Athlete’s Village & Corrals

  • Start Area Info
  • Wave 1 - 9:10am (Corrals Close: 8:45am)
  • Wave 2 - 9:45am (Corrals Close: 9:25am)
  • Wave 3 - 10:20am (Corrals Close: 10:00am)
  • Wave 4 - 10:55am (Corrals Close: 10:40am)
  • Wave 5 - 11:30am (Corrals Close: 11:15am)

Race

  • Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
  • Course
    • Course Info
    • Full Course Map
      • Course change! For the first time in 15 years there’s an update to the course. It’s very small: when you enter the Bronx, instead of turning left onto 138th and doing the “notch” up to Western Beef like in past years, runners will continue up Alexander Ave, turn at 141st, head down 3rd Ave and then turn right onto 138th. (Map of the change / NYT article)
    • Start Area
    • Finish Area
  • Tracking

Finish

  • Walkoff - be prepared to walk a lot after the finish line... it takes you at least a mile from the finish line before you’re able to exit the park.
    • Runners exit the park at W 77th St onto CPW, then you can leave the runners-only area at W 76th, 75th or 74th St, or continue south to Family Reunion
    • If you did bag check, the pickup is on CPW between 74th & 75th
  • Meetup - NYRR’s Family Reunion is on W 69th-71st Streets (11:00am-6:00pm), with letter signs by last name:
    • W 71st St: A-F
    • W 70th St: G-N
    • W 69th St: O-Z
    • Everyone entering Family Reunion goes through bag screening on Columbus Ave, so NYRR suggests family skip large bags and strollers and arrive 20-30 minutes after your expected finish
    • In my opinion, it is often better to set a meeting point away from UWS (e.g. your hotel/apartment or a restaurant/bar to celebrate at) unless you specifically want to stay in the area. UWS is very busy post race and cell service is often saturated, so agree on a spot ahead of time.
  • Transportation - after exiting to UWS
    • 1/2/3 train W72nd
    • A/C/B/D/1
    • M79 SBS - across to UES (has run in past years, but the stops by the Natural History Museum weren’t available last year, so this may not be an option)

Popular Spectator Spots

  • Mile Markers 8-9 - Lafayette Avenue in Clinton Hill
    • Subway: B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Mile Markers 11-12 - Bedford Ave in Williamsburg
    • Subway: L, G
  • Mile Markers 16-17 - 1st Ave in UES
    • Subway: N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, F
  • Mile Markers 23-25 - Fifth Ave & Central Park
    • Subway: Q, 4, 5, 6
  • Helpful spectator guide with even more details and advice

r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

2026 Dash to the Finish 5K - Pre-Race Thread

11 Upvotes

NYRR Dash to the Finish 5K


r/RunNYC • • 11h ago

I’m overwhelmed lol what pop ups do you guys recommend checking out pre/post marathon? There’s are way too many options. Need to know what’s really worth seeing

25 Upvotes

r/RunNYC • • 17h ago

Central Park Representing

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39 Upvotes

I might not be running this year but it certainly feels exciting knowing the amount of people that will be passing by this area on Sunday!


r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

After running 200 miles, I won the $1 Ultra. ama

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832 Upvotes

The $1 ultra is a backyard style race here in NYC where participants put a dollar in the jar before every lap, winner takes all. Instead of the standard 4.16 mile hourly loops, this edition of the $1 ultra had you roll a die & run the miles on the die. The race started with 131 participants and after 46 hours I was the last person standing. The jar ended up with around $1500

Race logistics:
The race was centered near Domino park and numbers corresponded to a different checkpoint in NYC (1-4 were various points along the Williamsburg Bridge, 5 was on the Pulaski Bridge, and 6 was on the Manhattan bridge).

Dice logistics:
The dice were not fair, the first 24 rolls were adjusted such that everyone hit 100 miles in their 24th lap. Around mile 130, the rules were continuously adjusted to make the race more difficult: lower numbers disappeared, runners rolled a shared die, runners only saw their roll as the lap started, and finally: the race ended up with continuous 6 mile laps with the added condition that runners most cross both the Williamsburg and Manhattan bridge (as opposed to a Manhattan bridge out & back along the navy yard)

Please ask me anything! I would love to share more about the race or discuss anything NYC/running related

photo credit to: @bradokeefe
much love to the race organizers: @onedollarultra
and the race sponsor ULTRA for providing a venue and making the race registration a whopping $0


r/RunNYC • • 13h ago

Elected Officials Join the Push to Add Sports Lightning to the East River Park Track

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13 Upvotes

r/RunNYC • • 9h ago

Attempting to run over the Brooklyn Bridge

5 Upvotes

Yesterday and today I attempted to run over the brooklyn bridge. Once a bit after 6 pm, once just after 7am. The evening attempt there were multiple times I had to stop my watch and walk, the crowds were so thick. The morning attempt I only had to do that once, but had a few close calls as tourists stepped erratically while trying to frame a photograph. I've run over this bridge occasionally for years. Evenings are often a bit crowded, but both the past two days have felt different to me. Any other commuter runners notice this? Is this just a seasonal variation through the holidays or just marathon week or a more durable increase in popularity?


r/RunNYC • • 15h ago

Possible Sub-4???

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9 Upvotes

Goal has been to run Sub-4 on Sunday. Garmin says I can, Strava says i’m close. Last 2 long runs went well and felt good but unsure if i’m being too optimistic about my chances. Thoughts?


r/RunNYC • • 8h ago

Any issues with cell service?

0 Upvotes

Running the marathon this weekend and I have some friends spectating. I tried to give them a guide on which miles to see me, but I know the streets can be difficult to navigate and they might end up at a different spot than I planned. In those cases I would want them to text me so I know where they are.

Has anyone ever had issues with receiving text messages during the race? Or is it generally fine?


r/RunNYC • • 11h ago

Tracking >50 runners in NYRR app for NYCM

1 Upvotes

Has anyone figured out a workaround for tracking more than 50 runners in the NYRR app? Thinking about making a list based on tentative finish time, then remove runners from the app and swap in new ones as they pass. Curious if anyone has a smarter system. I take my cheer duties seriously 😅


r/RunNYC • • 4h ago

NYC marathon

0 Upvotes

Where’s everyone staying for the 2026 NYC Marathon? Anyone staying in Harlem? Would love to hear what areas or hotels everyone has booked! 🏃‍♀️🗽


r/RunNYC • • 20h ago

NYC 2027

3 Upvotes

Is there a reasonable way to get into 2027? I only have a 2 1/2 min time qualifier buffer so that’s out. I guess charity might be my only option?


r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

what to wear when going on subway to run in cold weather?

24 Upvotes

hi! it’s a non-marathon post… hope that’s allowed!

i’m not running the marathon this year, but i’m still trying to run long distances! i’ve normally routed my long runs to/from my apartment, but it’s been getting a little boring lately. i’ve been wanting to take the subway to run in new places, but i get worried because i run very very cold post-run. usually, i have to hop in a hot shower immediately after i get home. as the weather gets colder, do people have any solutions for this? pack a change of clothes in a running vest?

thanks for all your help!


r/RunNYC • • 15h ago

Marathon Spectator Ticket

0 Upvotes

NYCM spectator tickets are where to be purchased? I can’t find any one the website nor a link. Have they not been released yet?


r/RunNYC • • 16h ago

Crack downs on amplified sound and handing out snacks/booze?

0 Upvotes

Has there ever been a crack down on people setting up music and handing out snacks/alcohol to runners along the NYC Marathon? We've done this in the past and had fun, but I'm just now learning that we could get in a lot of trouble for it? But I'm wondering if that ever really even happens or if they just have to say "don't do it" for liability purposes etc


r/RunNYC • • 10h ago

NYC Marathon Changing Shoes

0 Upvotes

Curious if anyone has experience changing shoes mid-marathon. I've struggled to find a pair that stays comfortable beyond 18 miles or so, as something always seems to start bothering me.

I'm already planning to wear an old pair to the start and was considering switching into a fresh pair around halfway through. Has anyone tried this? Did it actually help, or was it more trouble than it was worth?

Also wondering whether it's worth having another pair of comfortable shoes or sandals waiting at the finish, or if that's just overkill.

Coming back from an injury, so this will be a slow one. Just happy to be making it to the start line at this point! Thanks!


r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

How to not get sick before the marathon

58 Upvotes

Literally everyone around me currently has some variation of the cold, flu, or covid. Chat we got 6 days to not get sick what is your absolute fool proof way to stay healthy.

I am already taking emergency immunity, daily vitamins with zinc, hand washing religiously, wiping down my phone every chance I get.

At this point I’m open to anything I just want to make it to race day healthy!


r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

Anyone else feel like they’ve lost fitness during this taper?!??

29 Upvotes

My last two short runs have had my heart rate unusually elevated by 10. How much does stress and anxiety about injury get factored in?


r/RunNYC • • 19h ago

Marathon Weekend Events

1 Upvotes

I've seen some good websites that people created which aggregated all the events for this weekend. Now I can't find them. Can people share some of the websites they've used to find events for this weekend?


r/RunNYC • • 14h ago

new york marathon can i cross 4th avenue in brooklyn

0 Upvotes

I’m in wave 5 blue, and i want to see loved ones on 4th avenue about bergen or wyckoff cross st.
blue says i’ll be on the right side, but they will be on the left, can i cross 4th avenue to see them?
nyrr says you can’t until mile 8 ? is this true?


r/RunNYC • • 20h ago

Is the pedestrian access open to walk across the Pulaski Bridge during the marathon?

1 Upvotes

Hi all! I’m going to be cheering on a family member during the marathon this year. I’m planning to cheer for her in Greenpoint and then meet up with some other family members for more cheering in LIC. The runner will be run/walking at a fairly slow pace so I’m confident that I could book it up the side streets and make it to LIC before her. My only hiccup is the Pulaski bridge. I’m not sure if it’s open to foot traffic or not. Anyone know? If it’s not, I can hop the subway and get there that way.


r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

Court Square - LIC Checking in

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37 Upvotes

Signs are up! The course goes around my office building


r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

Pink Local Competitive

10 Upvotes

Hi. I'm looking for not fast people that ran in corral LC in the past.

I stupidly thought this was a great idea back in I don't know when and asked my team to put me in Local Competitive.

I've earned it both through Boston Marathon and through weirdly fast Brooklyn Half this year.

But - I'm just FAST FOR MY GENDER & AGE (F50-54) and not fast for real. I can do a 3:35 marathon but not a 2:35.

HOW SCREWED AM I? Am I going to get run over? I plan to run on the sides and selfies are not my thing. Hell, I don't even carry a phone.

Am I getting boarded and elbowed at water stations? I plan to sprint thru them as a defensive move, but I'm not a big person.

Should I just suck it and go hang with my people in Wave 3?

I'm just terrified.


r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

Any intel on what the NYCM 2026 participant shirt looks like this year?

12 Upvotes

r/RunNYC • • 1d ago

Service change this weekend if you're going from UWS to South Ferry

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25 Upvotes