NYC Marathon 2026 route: all the best places to watch this year’s race

Want to cheer on your loved one in the biggest race of the year, the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon? For starters, mark your calendars: The race will take place on Sunday, November 1, starting at 8am. As you'd expect for a marathon, the route is long—26.2 miles to be exact—so you'll need to do some planning around where you’ll watch them speed by.

While the day is about the race, runners aren't the only ones out there along the course—rain or shine. In fact, the entire city turns into a party. Restaurants and bars open their doors, streets are closed and countless puns are plastered onto signs for all to see. If you're new to the spectatorship, welcome aboard! If you're someone who's had the same viewing spot for years, just check to make sure it's not at one of the two turns that were eliminated in the Bronx for 2026. Below, find the full NYC Marathon route, its starting and stopping points and how to watch it live on TV.

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Where does the NYC Marathon route start?

The route begins on Staten Island and exits the borough via the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It takes runners through Brooklyn and then into Queens before entering Manhattan and The Bronx. 

Where does the NYC Marathon route end?

After a trip up into The Bronx, runners head back down into Manhattan and enter Central Park, where they finish. You can see the full route map here.

Where can I watch the race?

You can cheer on the runners across the five boroughs at the following spots:

• Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn (Miles 2–4): Catch runners as they exit the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and move along Fourth Avenue. Subway: R

• Fourth Avenue and Flatbush Avenue (Mile 8): Subway: B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5

• Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn (Miles 10–13): Claim sidewalk space along streets lined with shops and restaurants and encourage runners as they head toward the Pulaski Bridge to cross into Queens. Subway: G, L, M, J

• Pulaski Bridge (Mile 13.1): The Pulaski Bridge, which connects Brooklyn to Queens, is closed to spectators; many fans cheer on the Queens side, just past the race’s halfway mark. Subway: 7, G, E

• First Avenue, Manhattan (Miles 16–18): Spectators line the sidewalks and shout encouragement at this exciting part of the course. The avenue’s many bars and restaurants contribute to the festive atmosphere. Subway: N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, F

• East Harlem (Miles 18–20): Also known as Spanish Harlem, this neighborhood is home to a vibrant Latinx community. It's a perfect location to cheer and help keep the runners' motivation high. Subway: 6

• Charity Cheer Zone, First Avenue and 120th Street (Miles 19–20): Help celebrate thousands of runners who have chosen to raise funds for one of New York Road Runners' 500+ official charity partners. Subway: 6

• Fifth Avenue, East 90th Street-East 105th Street (Miles 23–24): This stretch of Fifth Avenue is a cultural hub as well as a crucial spot to catch runners before they enter Central Park. Subway: Q, 4, 5, 6

• Columbus Circle (Mile 26): Catch the runners as they round the final corner to the finish line. Subway: A, C, D, 1

The race finishes at 67th Street on West Drive. Spectators can access the final approach to the finish in two ways:

• Grandstand Seating: Tickets are required and must be purchased online. Enter at West 62nd Street and Broadway with Grandstand tickets. 

• Standing Spectator Area: Located inside Central Park from Columbus Circle to the south end of the grandstands, approximately 500 feet before the finish. NYPD, NYRR and the NYC Parks Department may limit access at times based on capacity. No chairs or seats are provided or allowed.

• Note: There is no spectator access north of the grandstands in Central Park. Spectators can enter at the following areas: Broadway at West 61st Street or West 62nd Street, or from the east side via the Central Park path by Heckscher Fields – Kickball Field #3. All entrances require screening.

Where can I catch the NYC Marathon on TV?

Watch the broadcast live on race day on WABC-TV, Channel 7 from 8–11:30am EST. Pre-race coverage begins at 7am and continued coverage of the race will be live until 1pm. Live streaming will be available on the ABC 7 New York App and ABC7NY.com from 7am–1pm. ABC7NY.com will also present a view of the finish line from 10:30am–6:00pm. You can also tune into ESPN2 and ESPN.com from 8-11:30am.