New York City is hosting the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, bringing tens of thousands of runners to the streets across all five boroughs. Spectators can follow the action through live runner tracking, television broadcasts and official race updates.
This year’s event marks the 55th running of the marathon and the 50th anniversary of its iconic five-borough course. More than 50,000 participants are expected to cover the 26.2-mile route, which starts on Staten Island and finishes in Manhattan’s Central Park.
The event will also bring significant traffic disruptions, with major bridges, highways and city streets closing at different times throughout race day.
NYC Marathon 2026 Route Map: All Five Boroughs
The 2026 marathon starts at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, with runners crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge before entering Brooklyn.
The course then moves through Queens, crosses into Manhattan over the Queensboro Bridge, enters the Bronx and returns to Manhattan for the finish in Central Park.
The route covers 26.2 miles and passes through some of New York’s most recognizable neighborhoods and landmarks.
One important change has been introduced in the Bronx. After crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners will turn onto East 135th Street, continue along Alexander Avenue and take East 141st Street before reaching Third Avenue and East 138th Street.
The revised section reduces the number of turns in the Bronx. It is the first change to the marathon course in 15 years.
Runners and spectators can access the official course map and interactive route through the New York Road Runners website.
NYC Marathon 2026 Start Times and Race Schedule
The marathon begins with the wheelchair divisions at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday. The remaining participants will start in five separate waves throughout the morning.
According to the official New York Road Runners schedule, the wave start times are:
| Division | Start Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Wheelchair Division | 8:00 a.m. |
| Wave 1 | 9:10 a.m. |
| Wave 2 | 9:45 a.m. |
| Wave 3 | 10:20 a.m. |
| Wave 4 | 10:55 a.m. |
| Wave 5 | 11:30 a.m. |
Start times may change, and runners must follow the wave and corral assignments printed on their official race bibs.
The staggered schedule helps manage the large number of participants across the starting area and the opening miles of the course.
How to Track NYC Marathon Runners Live
People who want to follow friends, family members or professional athletes can use the free official New York Road Runners app.
The application provides runner tracking, race updates, leaderboards, official results and live marathon coverage.
Spectators can use the app to follow individual participants as they progress through the five boroughs. It also provides race-day maps and information to help supporters plan where to watch.
The app is available through Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Supporters can also visit the official NYRR website for marathon information.
NYC Marathon 2026 Road Closures: Bridges and Highways Affected
The marathon will cause widespread road closures across New York City on November 1. Drivers should expect delays and consider alternative routes, particularly near the bridges and major roads used by runners.
Some of the most significant scheduled closures include:
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge: Upper level closed from 11 p.m. ET on October 31; lower level closes at 7 a.m. on November 1. Both levels are expected to reopen around 4 p.m.
- Brooklyn-Queens Expressway: Section between the Verrazzano Bridge and 79th Street closed from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Pulaski Bridge: Southbound traffic closed from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Queensboro Bridge: Lower level closed to all vehicles in both directions from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The upper level will also have truck restrictions.
- Willis Avenue Bridge: Closed from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Madison Avenue Bridge: Closed from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Staten Island Expressway’s Bay Street exit will also close from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
These schedules are subject to changes at the discretion of the New York Police Department. Drivers should check official NYC transportation updates before traveling.
How to Watch the NYC Marathon 2026 Live
Viewers who cannot attend the event in person have several options to watch the marathon from home.
In the New York area, WABC-TV, Channel 7, will provide race-day coverage beginning early Sunday morning. The station’s digital platform, ABC7NY.com, will also offer a live view of the finish line.
For viewers outside the New York area, ESPN2 will carry live race coverage from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET.
The official New York Road Runners app also offers live marathon coverage, professional race feeds, leaderboards and results.
Radio listeners in New York can follow the event through 710 WOR AM and 104.3 HD2, with additional access through the iHeartRadio app.
NYC Marathon 2026 Celebrates 50 Years of the Five-Borough Course
The New York City Marathon first took place in 1970, when 127 runners started a race held entirely inside Central Park. Only 55 participants completed that inaugural event.
The marathon expanded beyond Central Park in 1976, introducing a route through all five boroughs to celebrate the United States Bicentennial.
That change helped establish the modern identity of the event, connecting neighborhoods across Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.
The 2026 edition celebrates 50 years of that expanded course, with the latest Bronx adjustment marking another chapter in the race’s history.
