The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon takes place on Sunday, 1 November, marking the 50th anniversary of the first five-borough race. It is the final Abbott World Marathon Major of the year, and almost 60,000 runners are expected to take on the 26.2-mile course.
Race schedule (Eastern Time)
- 8:00 a.m.: men’s elite wheelchair division
- 8:02 a.m.: women’s elite wheelchair division
- 8:22 a.m.: handcycles and select athletes with disabilities
- 8:35 a.m.: professional women
- 9:05 a.m.: professional men
Clocks go back an hour overnight, so all of these times are on standard time. Start times can shift slightly, so confirm them on race week through the official event channels.
The route
The race begins at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, crosses the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and then runs through all five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx. After re-entering Manhattan, runners head down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park, where the finish line sits near Tavern on the Green. Large crowds line most of the course, with some of the loudest support in Brooklyn and on First Avenue.
Star runners to watch
The professional field is led by three defending champions: Kenya’s Hellen Obiri in the women’s race, Kenya’s Benson Kipruto in the men’s race and Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, a seven-time men’s wheelchair champion. New York Road Runners says the field includes about 40 Olympians and Paralympians, 25 Olympic, Paralympic and World Championships medallists and 22 national record holders. Past champions have also been invited back for the anniversary. As always, check for late withdrawals before the race.
Course records
- Men: 2:04:58, set by Tamirat Tola in 2023
- Women: 2:19:51, set by Hellen Obiri in 2025, breaking a record that had stood for more than two decades
Obiri’s record gives the women’s race an obvious storyline this year: can she go fast again on the same course?
How to watch and follow live
- TV: ABC 7 New York’s coverage begins with a pre-race show at 7:00 a.m., and the race has also been broadcast on ESPN2.
- App: the free TCS New York City Marathon app tracks runners by name or bib number with splits at every 5K.
- Virtual option: a virtual version of the marathon runs from 24 October to 1 November and can be completed anywhere in the world.
Tips for spectators
- Use public transport, since many streets close for the race.
- Pick a spot along the course away from the finish line for an easier view.
- Bring layers, as it can be cold at the start and warmer later in the morning.
- Write your runner’s name on a sign to cheer them on.
Details are based on the information published before the race. Check the official New York Road Runners channels for live results.
