How to run the New York City Marathon: entry, training timeline and race weekend

1. Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2026Time qualifier window Qualifiers from NYRR races are guaranteed. Spots for non-NYRR qualifiers are limited.Open now
2. During 2026NYRR 9+1 program Run nine NYRR races and volunteer once in 2026 for guaranteed 2027 entry.Open now
3. Not announced yetDrawing Includes a member-only second-chance drawing. Dates not announced yet.Not announced yet
4. Early 2027International tour operatorsNot announced yet
5. Spring 2027Charity partners announced Team for Kids and Team for Climate are NYRR’s own charity teams.Not announced yet
6. Nov 7, 2027Race dayComing up

NYRR publishes time-qualifier standards by age and gender for runners aged 18 and over on November 7, 2027. See the official time qualifiers page for the full table.

We only list prices NYRR publishes. Flight and hotel prices swing too much to quote here.

1. Thu Dec 31, 2026Dec 31, 2026Time-qualifier window ends Qualifiers from NYRR races are guaranteed. Spots for non-NYRR qualifiers are limited.In 54 days
2. Sun Jul 4, 202718 weeks outDay one of an 18-week plan Eighteen weeks is the length of the official Chicago Marathon training plan with Nike. Pick a plan that fits the running you already do.In 239 days
3. Sun Jul 25, 202715 weeks outBook travel and a place to stay Lock in flights and lodging before race-week prices and availability get tight. Use the race’s official travel or housing partner if it has one.In 260 days
4. Sun Aug 29, 202710 weeks outPick a tune-up race A half marathon in the middle of your plan is a good check on your goal pace. Races Near lists halves near you.In 295 days
5. Sun Sep 26, 20276 weeks outDress rehearsal long run Run a long run in race-day kit and practice with what the course hands out: water and Gatorade Endurance Formula.In 323 days
6. Sun Oct 17, 20273 weeks outTaper starts Follow your plan as it cuts back over the final weeks. Do not try to catch up on missed long runs now.In 344 days
7. Sun Oct 31, 20271 week outRace week Read the official participant guide, confirm your bib pickup slot and plan your route to the start.In 358 days
8. Sun Nov 7, 2027Race dayRace day Go get it.In 365 days

This is our suggested calendar, not a training plan. Use it to line up your plan of choice with the race's own dates. Running a different goal race? Try the pace calculator for your splits.

1. Start to mile 2

   Staten Island and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

   You start at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the biggest climb on the course. Run it by effort and do not chase time on the way down.

2. Miles 2 to 13

   Brooklyn

   The longest borough. The three start routes merge in Brooklyn, then Fourth Avenue, Lafayette Avenue and Bedford Avenue lead north. Big crowds; keep your pace in check.

3. Miles 13 to 16

   Queens and the Queensboro Bridge

   The Pulaski Bridge into Queens near halfway, a short stretch in Long Island City, then the long climb of the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan.

4. Miles 16 to 20

   First Avenue

   Big crowds as you come off the bridge onto First Avenue and head north. Ease back into rhythm instead of surging with the crowd.

5. Miles 20 to 24

   The Bronx and Fifth Avenue

   The Willis Avenue Bridge into the Bronx, then the Madison Avenue Bridge back to Manhattan, Harlem and a late rise on Fifth Avenue.

6. Mile 24 to finish

   Central Park

   Rolling park roads, out along Central Park South, then back into the park at Columbus Circle for the finish.

Course records: 2:04:58 (Tamirat Tola, 2023) and 2:19:51 (Hellen Obiri, 2025).

NYRR has not published 2027 times. These are from the 2025 Runner Guide, for planning.

• Expo and bib pickup

  • The TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance. 2027 dates: not announced yet.
  • Fix any errors on your bib at the Runner Support Center. Start time and corral changes are not allowed.

• Getting to the start

  • Official transportation is first come, first served, and your option is printed on your bib.
  • Options in 2025: Staten Island Ferry and shuttle bus (about 30 minutes), Midtown Manhattan bus from the New York Public Library (about 90), New Jersey bus from MetLife Stadium (about 60) and a Midtown ferry from Pier 79 (about 60). Times do not include security.
  • Everyone goes through bag inspection and metal detectors at Fort Wadsworth.

• Bags

  • There is no bag check at the start. Only the clear Start Village bag is allowed on official transport.
  • Optional Pre-Check: drop a bag on Central Park West at West 69th to 70th Street before race day (in 2025, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
  • No backpacks, opaque bags or hydration packs with a full bladder.

• Start Village

  • More than 1,700 toilets, coffee, tea, water, Gatorade and bagels.
  • Donate the warm layers you will not run in before you leave the corral.
  • Medical tents at the start, every mile from mile 3 and at the finish.

• Finish and meet-up

  • Everyone exits Central Park at West 77th Street, about 20 to 30 minutes after finishing.
  • Family Reunion exits on Central Park West between West 63rd and 66th Streets.
  • Phone networks can be saturated near the finish.

• Plan a meeting point outside the runners-only zone before race day. Cell service near the finish can drop out.
• Track your runner in the NYRR app. A timing mat as runners leave Central Park tells you they are out.
• Pedestrian crossing zones help you get across the course, for example at Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street in Brooklyn and at First Avenue and 72nd and 86th Streets in Manhattan.
• First Avenue and Fifth Avenue are easy to reach by subway and let you see runners at two points in Manhattan.