ING NYC Marathon

The New York City Marathon (branded ING New York City Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with over 45,000 finishers. Because of the popularity of the race, participation is chosen largely by a lottery system. Runners who are members of NYRR can gain entry by meeting the qualifications for guaranteed entry or via nomination from an official running club.

The first New York City Marathon, though, was a humble affair. In 1970, 127 runners paid the $1 entry fee to NYRR to participate in a 26.2-mile race that looped several times within Central Park. Fifty-five runners crossed the finish line.When Lebow redrew the course through all five New York boroughs six years later, 2,090 runners lined up at the start for the chance to run from Staten Island through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx to Manhattan. The expanded course attracted two-time Olympic marathon medalist Frank Shorter, along with reporters and television cameras. Thousands of spectators lined the streets and cheered the runners. The 2012 race was cancelled.

Prize Money Breakdown

Course Description

Mile signs and clocks will be posted at every mile. Before mile 8, clocks marked with color-coded signs correspond to your start color. After mile 8, all mile markers are orange. Course clocks will be set to correspond with Wave 1.

Yellow kilometer signs and clocks will be posted every 5 kilometers.

Timing mats will be located at the start, every 5K (3.1 miles) to 40K, the half-marathon (13.1 miles), every mile beginning at mile 8, and the finish.

There will be video checkpoints and volunteers checking race numbers along the course.

Link to Course Map