On Sunday, November 1, more than 50,000 runners will set off from Staten Island and cross all five boroughs on their way to the finish line in Central Park. The 2026 NYC Marathon carries extra weight this year: it marks 50 years since the race first left the confines of Central Park and became a five-borough tour of the city in 1976.
It is also the first year in 15 years that the course itself has changed. Whether you're running, cheering, or simply in town for the energy, here's everything you need to know about race weekend, and why Midtown East is one of the smartest places to spend it.
When Is the NYC Marathon 2026?
The TCS New York City Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 1, 2026. As always, it falls on the first Sunday of November and is organized by New York Road Runners (NYRR).
The race starts early in the morning at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, with the professional wheelchair division, then the elite women and men, then the mass waves rolling out through late morning. NYRR confirms exact wave times closer to race day, so runners should check their own start time in the NYRR app.
The detail most guides miss: the clocks change
Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, which means the clocks fall back one hour the night before the race. That's an extra hour of sleep for runners, but it's also an easy way to miscalculate a start time or a meeting point. Our advice: set every alarm on a phone that updates automatically, and confirm spectator plans using the "new" time.
NYC Marathon 2026 Route: What's New This Year?
The 26.2-mile course follows its classic tour of the city. Runners start on Staten Island and cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn. They head north through Brooklyn, cross the Pulaski Bridge into Queens, then take the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, arriving on First Avenue at around mile 16.
From there, the course runs up First Avenue, over the Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx, and back into Manhattan over the Madison Avenue Bridge. Runners then come down Fifth Avenue, enter Central Park, and finish near Tavern on the Green.
The first course change in 15 years
For 2026, NYRR has adjusted a roughly one-mile stretch in the Bronx, between miles 20 and 21 in Mott Haven. After crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners will now stay on Alexander Avenue past East 138th Street, turn left on East 141st Street, left on Third Avenue, then right on East 138th Street toward the Madison Avenue Bridge.
The change cuts the number of turns in that section from seven to five and keeps a neighborhood supermarket accessible to residents on race day. For runners, it means a slightly more direct path through one of the toughest stretches of the race. If you studied an older course map, the Bronx is the part to review again on NYRR's course page.
Your NYC 2026 Marathon Weekend, Day by Day
Race weekend is much more than one Sunday morning. Here's how the week shapes up:
- Thursday, October 29 – Saturday, October 31: The TCS New York City Marathon Expo runs at the Javits Center (11th Avenue at West 35th Street). Runners must pick up their bibs here in person, and there's official gear and course talks too.
- Saturday, October 31 (morning): The Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K starts near the United Nations in Midtown East and finishes on the marathon finish line in Central Park.
- Saturday, October 31 (evening): It's Halloween, and the city celebrates with events including the Village Halloween Parade downtown in Greenwich Village.
- Saturday night into Sunday: Clocks fall back one hour at 2:00 a.m.
- Sunday, November 1: Race day, from Staten Island to Central Park.
- Monday, November 2: It's "Medal Monday," when finishers proudly wear their medals around town.
Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend
This year, Halloween falls on race Saturday. The 5K, the Expo's final day, and the city's Halloween festivities all overlap, so plan around them. Runners who haven't collected their bib should aim for Thursday or Friday. The Expo is in person only, and you'll need photo ID and your runner confirmation.
The 5K is worth a special mention for Concorde guests. It starts in Midtown East near the UN, a short walk from the hotel, and finishes on the actual marathon finish line. It's a great way for friends and family to get a taste of the big day.
Where Is the Best Place to Watch the Marathon from Midtown?
Midtown East puts you within walking distance of two of the most exciting stretches of the course, and you can see the same runner at both.
Mile 16: First Avenue at the Queensboro Bridge
Runners spend about a mile on the quiet Queensboro Bridge, where spectators aren't allowed. Then they drop onto First Avenue at East 59th Street into a roar of noise that runners call the "wall of sound." It's one of the most emotional moments of the race, and it's roughly a 10-minute walk east from the Concorde.
The corner right by the bridge gets packed. For more breathing room, walk a few blocks north into the 60s or 70s, where the crowds thin out but the energy stays high.
Mile 25: Central Park South
After cheering on First Avenue, head west to Central Park South near Fifth Avenue, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Runners exit the park here for the final push past Columbus Circle and back into Central Park to finish.
Most runners take well over an hour to get from mile 16 to mile 25, so you'll have plenty of time to grab a coffee and reposition.
Spectator tips for race day
- Track your runner. The official TCS New York City Marathon app shows live runner positions, so you know exactly when to look up.
- Make yourself easy to spot. A bright sign, balloon or flag helps your runner find you in a crowd several people deep.
- Expect limited crossings. You can't simply cross First Avenue or Fifth Avenue while the race is on. Plan your route so you don't have to cross the course.
- Pick a reunion point away from the finish. The finish area is restricted. Agree on a specific meeting spot, ideally on the East Side, where streets are calmer.
How to Eat, Rest and Celebrate in Midtown
Before the race: carb-load early and book ahead
Saturday night is one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year, and this year it's also Halloween. Book your pre-race pasta dinner well in advance and choose an early seating so you can be in bed early. Midtown East has plenty of Italian spots within a short walk, along with quieter options that are easier to get into than the Theater District. Our guide to the best midtown restaurants is a good place to start.
Race morning: plan the trip to Staten Island
Runners pick their official start transportation through their NYRR account, and most options leave from Manhattan very early. From Midtown East, the Lexington Avenue subway lines get you downtown quickly. Lay out your gear, bib and ID the night before.
After the race: rest, refuel and celebrate
The last thing tired legs want is a long trek home. Staying in Midtown means a short trip back to a hot shower and a quiet room. In the evening, celebrate with a big dinner nearby.
On Monday, wear your medal with pride. "Medal Monday" is a city-wide tradition, and finishers often get congratulated by strangers all day long. It's also a good day for gentle, low-key sightseeing: a stroll through Central Park or a visit to MoMA is easier on the legs than another big walking day.
Stay at the Concorde Hotel for Race Weekend
The Concorde Hotel sits at 127 East 55th Street in Midtown East, just off Park Avenue. That puts you about a 10-minute walk from both the First Avenue "wall of sound" at mile 16 and Central Park South at mile 25. The start of the Saturday 5K is close by, and the Lexington Avenue subway lines are around the corner for the trip to the Expo or the Staten Island start.
After 26.2 miles, the details matter. With no more than four rooms on each of the hotel's 37 floors, hallways stay quiet for pre-race sleep. Every room has a soaking tub and a rainfall shower, which is ideal for tired legs. Our multilingual team can help with dinner reservations, directions and race-morning logistics.
Hotels near the course fill up quickly for the 50th anniversary race. Book your stay at the Concorde Hotel and spend race weekend at the heart of it all.
NYC Marathon 2026 FAQs
Is watching the NYC Marathon free?
Yes. Spectating anywhere along the public course is free, and around two million people line the route each year. Only the start area on Staten Island and the finish area in Central Park are restricted.
Why is 2026 a special year for the NYC Marathon?
It's the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, first run in 1976. It's also the first year since 2011 that the route has changed.
Do I need to pick up my bib in person?
Yes. Runners must collect their bib at the Expo at the Javits Center between October 29 and 31, with photo ID and their runner confirmation.
Where does the NYC Marathon finish?
The race finishes inside Central Park, near West 67th Street and Tavern on the Green.