Heading to the NYC Marathon? SpotHero has got you covered!
The 2024 TCS New York City Marathon is slated for Sunday, November 3. Over 50,000 participants are set to run the course this year.
Whether you’re running, volunteering, joining the millions of spectators, or watching at home, Marathon Sunday is sure to be an exciting day. Here’s what you need to know about the 2024 NYC Marathon:
NYC Marathon Course Map
The 26.2-mile course takes runners through all five boroughs: the course begins in Staten Island, moves through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, before finishing back in Manhattan in Central Park.
Click here to download a PDF of the 2024 course map
NYC Marathon Parking & Transportation
The City of New York recommends taking public transportation to the start of the race in Staten Island. If you choose to take your car, note there is no parking near the start line. The start line is located at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, near the intersection of Lily Pond Avenue and McClean Avenue.
If you’re participating in the marathon, here’s a guide to transportation to the start. You can also use the MTA’s Trip Planner.
NYC Marathon Parking
Due to street closures and traffic, public transit is the best way to get around on race day. But if you want to drive, reserve your parking spot in advance. One of the best places to find parking is near the finish line and the family reunion area.
Runners will finish by exiting Central Park at West 72nd Street. You can reserve parking near the exit below.
You can also reserve NYC Marathon parking by exploring the parking map below or visiting SpotHero’s NYC Marathon parking page.
NYC Marathon Street Closures
Street and bridge closures for the NYC Marathon will be conducted in phases. Select streets and bridges will begin closing to outside traffic at 11 p.m. on Saturday, November 2 and continue until 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 3. Streets are anticipated to begin reopening at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, November 3 and be fully reopened by 6:45 p.m. You can find a full list of road and bridge closures here.
Best Places To Watch
Here’s a list of the top places to see the runners, so you can plan your viewing areas in advance. These recommendations are all included in the race organizer’s official spectator guide.
The Start
Unfortunately, spectator viewing isn’t allowed at the starting line or on the Verrazano Bridge. If you’re in the NYC-metro area, you can watch on WABC-TV, Channel 7.
The Course
Here are the six best spots to see the runners throughout the course:
Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn (Miles 2-4): Though you can’t see runners at the start of the race, you can catch them exiting the Verrazano Bridge and making their way along Fourth Avenue.
Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn (Miles 10-13): Keep an eye out for your favorite runner along this popular stretch in Brooklyn before the race’s halfway mark.
Pulaski Bridge (Mile 13.1): The Pulaski Bridge connects Brooklyn to Long Island City. The bridge is closed to spectators, but many fans wait on the Queens side, just past the halfway point. Your cheers and encouragement will be especially welcome here as runners head into the second half of the 26.2 mile race.
First Avenue between 59th St. and 96th St., Manhattan (Miles 16-18): First Avenue is always packed with spectators who line the sidewalks. If you’re trying to see a runner, just make sure they know which side of the street you’ll be on. The crowds are really dense, and runners may not hear you calling their name.
East Harlem, 96th St. to 138th St. (Miles 18-20): This neighborhood is known for providing energetic music, which is always appreciated by runners late in the race. Runners can also hit the dreaded “wall” here, so it’s a great place to cheer them on!
Museum Mile, Fifth Avenue between 103rd St. and 86th St., (Miles 23-24): Along the east side of Central Park, this stretch of Fifth Avenue includes the Guggenheim, the Jewish Museum, the National Academy Museum, El Museo del Barrio, and the Museum of the City of New York. You can also catch the runners before they enter the final stretch in Central Park.
The Finish
The final miles take runners through Central Park and to the finish at 67th Street on West Drive. To see the final stretch of the race, you’ll need to buy a Grandstand Seating ticket in advance (tickets are limited).
Post-Finish/Family Reunion
Central Park West, south of West 66th Street: The post-finish area in and near Central Park (north of the finish line) is a runners-only zone. You can reunite with runners in the Family Reunion area, open from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It’s a huge area, so select a letter in advance to make the reunion easier (we suggest the first letter of the runner’s last name). Enter the Family Reunion from Broadway at the cross-street that correlates with the letter you’ve chosen. If you’d rather avoid the crowds in the park, you can choose a local restaurant, bar, or hotel to be your meeting spot.
Mobile App and Runner Tracking
The NYC Marathon app is your phone’s best friend. Use it to track runners, plan for race day, and get info about race day events. The 2024 Tracking App has not been released yet, but check back for updates.
3 NYC Marathon Race Day Tips
- Reserve parking in advance for a seamless race day experience.
- If you’re trying to find a specific runner, make a sign with their name on it. It makes it much easier for them to spot you as they are running by.
- Double check your clocks. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Set your clock back one hour. That means an extra hour of sleep for you on race day!
Schedule
Below is a complete list of 2024 NYC Marathon start times.
8:00 a.m. Professional Wheelchair Division
8:22 a.m. Handcycle Category and Select Athletes with Disabilities
8:40 a.m. Professional Women’s Open Division
9:05 a.m. Professional Men’s Open Division
9:10 a.m. Wave 1
9:55 a.m. Wave 2
10:40 a.m. Wave 3
11:20 a.m. Wave 4
12:00 p.m. Wave 5
These times are subject to change, so visit tcsnycmarathon.org for the latest info.
Good luck runners!