Short on time? Here’s the quick answer: the NYC Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, 1 November 2026. It starts on Staten Island and finishes in Central Park. Keep reading for the full start time schedule, the route map borough by borough, and which roads close so you can plan your day without any guesswork.
NYC Marathon 2026 Date — Quick Answer
Quick answer: The NYC Marathon date is Sunday, 1 November 2026. This is the first Sunday of November, which is when the race is always held. It’s also a special one — the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, which first ran back in 1976.
Clocks go back an hour overnight in the US for daylight saving time, so race morning starts on standard time. If you’re watching from your phone or setting an alarm, let it update itself rather than trusting a watch you set the night before.
What Time Does the NYC Marathon Start?
Quick answer: The wheelchair race starts first at 8:00 AM ET, followed by professional women at 8:35 AM and professional men at 9:05 AM. Everyday runners start in five waves between 9:10 AM and 11:30 AM, based on their expected pace.
The NYC Marathon start time isn’t just one moment — it’s spread across more than three hours because over 50,000 runners can’t all cross the same bridge at once. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Start Group | Start Time (ET) |
| Wheelchair race | 8:00 AM |
| Professional women | 8:35 AM |
| Professional men | 9:05 AM |
| Wave 1 (mass field) | 9:10 AM |
| Wave 2 (mass field) | 9:45 AM |
| Wave 3 (mass field) | 10:20 AM |
| Wave 4 (mass field) | 10:55 AM |
| Wave 5 (mass field) | 11:30 AM |
If you’re tracking a runner, their wave matters more than the overall race start. Ask them which wave they’re in, then add their goal time to that wave’s start to work out roughly when they’ll cross the finish line.
Where Does the NYC Marathon Start and Finish?
Quick answer: The race starts at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island and finishes in Central Park, close to Tavern on the Green.
Runners begin on Staten Island, cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn, and from there work their way through all five boroughs. The finish line sits inside Central Park, one of the most famous finish spots in all of running. There’s no public viewing area at the actual start, since Fort Wadsworth is a secure site reserved for runners and race staff.
NYC Marathon 2026 Route Map: All Five Boroughs
The NYC Marathon route map covers 26.2 miles across Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. For 2026, there’s one change worth knowing about: the Bronx section has been adjusted for the first time in 15 years, cutting the number of loops near a local housing estate from seven down to five. This makes life easier for residents and nearby shops without changing the overall shape of the course. Here’s how the route breaks down borough by borough:
| Borough | What Happens There | Approx. Mile Marker | Good To Know |
| Staten Island | Race starts at Fort Wadsworth, runners cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge | Mile 0–2 | No public viewing at the start |
| Brooklyn | Longest stretch of the route, through Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Williamsburg | Mile 2–13 | Loudest crowds, best atmosphere |
| Queens | Short section through Long Island City | Mile 13–16 | Halfway point is here |
| Manhattan | First Avenue, then a short Bronx loop before returning | Mile 16–20 | Big crowds on First Avenue |
| The Bronx | Shortest borough on the course, newly adjusted for 2026 | Mile 20–21 | Route changed for the first time in 15 years |
| Manhattan (finish) | Back into Manhattan, finish in Central Park | Mile 21–26.2 | Finish line near Tavern on the Green |
Brooklyn is where most people say the crowds are loudest, so if you’re cheering on a runner and can only pick one spot, that stretch is hard to beat. Central Park, right at the finish, is a close second.
NYC Marathon Road Closures: What To Know
Quick answer: Most road closures run from around 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM on race day, with a few streets near the finish line staying shut until the evening. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge closes to all traffic at 7:00 AM.
Because the course runs through all five boroughs, a huge part of the city changes for the day. If you’re driving anywhere in New York on marathon Sunday, here’s what tends to close, based on the city’s official closure pattern:
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge — closed to traffic from early morning into the afternoon
- Fourth Avenue, Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn — closed through most of the day
- Pulaski Bridge and nearby Queens streets — closed for several hours
- Queensboro Bridge lower level — closed through the morning and early afternoon
- First Avenue in Manhattan, from 59th Street up to the Willis Avenue Bridge — closed most of the day
- Willis Avenue and Madison Avenue bridges — closed through the afternoon
- Central Park West, Columbus Avenue, Broadway and Central Park South near the finish — closed well into the evening
The exact times can shift slightly each year and are decided by the NYPD, so always check the city’s official bulletin the week of the race if you need to drive. If you’re flying in or out that day, build in extra time — none of the three main airports sit on the route, but the roads leading to them often do.
Tips for NYC Marathon Runners
If you’re one of the NYC Marathon runners toeing the line this year, a few small things make race day smoother:
- Confirm your wave and start village ahead of time — showing up for the wrong one can cost you your spot
- Get to Staten Island early; security and ferry or bus queues take longer than you’d expect
- Dress for a cold start — early November mornings on Staten Island are chilly, even if it warms up later
- Tell your supporters your wave and pace so they know roughly when to expect you at each borough
- Download the official NYRR app before race day so friends and family can track you live
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the NYC Marathon start?
The first start is the wheelchair race at 8:00 AM ET. Professional women start at 8:35 AM and professional men at 9:05 AM. Everyday runners go off in five waves between 9:10 AM and 11:30 AM.
Where does the NYC Marathon start and finish?
The race starts at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island and finishes in Central Park, near Tavern on the Green.
How long are the roads closed for the NYC Marathon?
Most closures run from around 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM, though some streets near the finish stay closed until later in the evening. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge closes to all traffic at 7:00 AM.
Is 2026 the NYC Marathon’s 50th anniversary?
Yes. The five-borough course first ran in 1976, so the 2026 race marks 50 years of the route through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.
Can spectators cross the marathon route?
Not easily. The route splits the city in two for most of the day, so plan your route around it, not across it. The subway is usually the fastest way to move between viewing spots.
