NYC Marathon 2026: Start Times, Bronx Route Change, How to Watch and What to Know for Sunday's 50th Five-Borough Race

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is this Sunday, Nov. 1, and it carries extra meaning. The race marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, first run on Oct. 24, 1976, USA TODAY reported. More than 60,000 runners from 140 countries are expected, after a record 59,226 finishers in 2025.

The course starts at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, crosses the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and runs through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx before finishing in Central Park near Tavern on the Green.

NYC Marathon 2026 start times

All times are ET on Sunday, per USA TODAY and NBC New York:

*FOX 5 New York lists the professional women’s start at 8:40 a.m.; check the official race app for the final time.

Runners who finish before 10 p.m. are recorded as official finishers. Later finishers still get a medal but no official result, USA TODAY reported.

The first course change in 15 years

New York Road Runners changed the stretch between miles 20 and 21 in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. After the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners turn left on East 135th Street, right on Alexander Avenue, left on East 141st Street, left on Third Avenue and right on East 138th Street to the Madison Avenue Bridge, according to NBC New York and USA TODAY.

The old route turned onto East 138th Street sooner. NBC New York reported that the new layout cuts the number of turns in that mile from seven to five and makes it easier for residents of a nearby NYCHA building and local businesses to get around.

How to watch the NYC Marathon

• National TV: ESPN2 from 8 a.m. ET, streaming on ESPN Unlimited, with pre-race coverage from 7 a.m., USA TODAY reported.
• New York area: WABC-TV Channel 7 starts at 7 a.m. and streams on the ABC7 New York app.
• Highlights: ABC airs “Live from the TCS New York City Marathon” nationally from 3 to 5 p.m. ET.
• Tracking runners: The TCS New York City Marathon app has live tracking.

In person, most of the course is open to spectators from mile 3 to mile 26. NBC New York listed popular spots including Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, the Pulaski Bridge at the halfway mark, First Avenue in Manhattan (miles 16-18) and inside Central Park. NBC New York said up to about 2 million spectators are expected and police presence will be increased.

Road closures and getting around

Closures start Saturday night. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge’s upper level closes in both directions at 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and stays shut until 4 p.m. Sunday, FOX 5 New York reported. The Pulaski, Willis Avenue and Madison Avenue bridges and the lower level of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge close for much of Sunday, and First Avenue in Manhattan stays closed until 10:30 p.m.

Drivers should avoid crossing between boroughs by car during the race, and transit officials recommend the subway, according to FOX 5 New York.

Who to watch: defending champions and prize money

All four 2025 champions are back, according to USA TODAY. Benson Kipruto won the men’s race last year by just 0.16 seconds. Hellen Obiri set the women’s course record of 2:19:51. Marcel Hug won his seventh wheelchair title. Susannah Scaroni, who gave birth in August, is returning to go for a third straight title.

Open-division winners earn $100,000, and a course record is worth a $50,000 bonus. Five new categories for athletes with disabilities also debut this year. The forecast calls for a high near 61 degrees with little chance of rain, USA TODAY reported.

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