By The Stacey Froelich Team | October 28, 2026

Few days bring New York together like marathon Sunday. On November 1, tens of thousands of runners will cover all five boroughs while crowds line the course from Bay Ridge to Central Park. This year carries extra meaning: the race marks five decades since it first left Central Park and became a citywide event. Here is where to watch, how to get there, and what to know before you go.

Quick Answer: The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon takes place Sunday, November 1, with the first starts at 8 a.m. Popular viewing spots include Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, First Avenue on the Upper East Side (miles 16 to 18), Fifth Avenue from East 90th to East 105th Street (miles 23 to 24), and Columbus Circle near mile 26. The finish is on West Drive at 67th Street in Central Park, where grandstand seats require a ticket.

The 2026 Race at a Glance

The City of New York expects roughly 60,000 runners and more than 2 million spectators along the 26.2-mile route, which begins at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and finishes in Central Park. Start times are staggered across the morning, so runners pass any given point over a span of several hours. Spectators who are watching for one specific runner should choose a single location, arrive early, and stay put.

Television coverage begins on WABC-TV Channel 7 at 7 a.m. with pre-race programming, followed by live race coverage from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to ABC7 New York. ESPN2 carries the race nationally from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

A 50th Anniversary for the Five-Borough Course

The marathon was first run in 1970 entirely inside Central Park. On October 24, 1976, organizers expanded it through all five boroughs as part of the U.S. Bicentennial, and that same year introduced official finisher medals, as Time Out New York reported. New York Road Runners designed the 2026 medal around that milestone, featuring a sunburst skyline and the five bridges runners cross along the way.

The anniversary year also brings the first course change in the Bronx in 15 years. According to NY1, runners coming off the Willis Avenue Bridge will now follow a revised loop using East 135th Street, Alexander Avenue, East 141st Street, Third Avenue, and East 138th Street before crossing the Madison Avenue Bridge back into Manhattan. New York Road Runners described the changes as minor adjustments intended to reduce the race’s impact on the borough.

Best Places to Watch, Mile by Mile

There is no spectator viewing at the start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, so the first chance to see runners comes in Brooklyn. These are the most popular stretches, along with the subway lines that serve them:

Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn (miles 2 to 4): Runners come off the bridge and settle into their pace here. Take the R train.

Fourth Avenue and Flatbush Avenue (mile 8): One of the best-connected spots on the course, served by the B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains.

Williamsburg and Greenpoint (miles 10 to 13): Restaurant-lined streets with lively crowds as runners approach the Pulaski Bridge. Take the G, L, M, or J. The Pulaski Bridge itself is closed to spectators, so fans gather on the Queens side just past the halfway point (7, G, or E trains).

First Avenue, Upper East Side (miles 16 to 18): After the quiet climb over the Queensboro Bridge, runners are met by one of the loudest crowds on the course. Take the N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, or F.

East Harlem (miles 18 to 20): A vibrant neighborhood stretch with strong community support, reachable by the 6 train. The Charity Cheer Zone at First Avenue and 120th Street celebrates runners raising money for official charity partners.

Fifth Avenue, East 90th to East 105th Street (miles 23 to 24): Runners pass Museum Mile before entering Central Park at Engineers’ Gate. Take the Q, 4, 5, or 6.

Columbus Circle (mile 26): The final turn before the finish. Take the A, C, D, or 1.

Watching at the Finish Line

The race ends on West Drive at 67th Street in Central Park. Grandstand seating along the final 200 meters requires a ticket, and grandstand ticket holders enter at West 62nd Street and Broadway. Tickets typically start at $55, according to the Mayor’s Office, which also ran a drawing for 350 free grandstand seats that closed October 26.

A free standing area runs inside Central Park from Columbus Circle to the south end of the grandstands, about 500 feet before the finish. Chairs are not allowed, all entrances have security screening, and access may be limited when the area reaches capacity. After the race, runners meet family and friends in a reunion area on Central Park West between West 69th and West 71st Streets, organized alphabetically, per NYC Tourism + Conventions.

How to Track a Runner

Runners move quickly, so planning helps. The official race app offers real-time tracking, and spectators will get the most accurate arrival estimates with the runner’s bib number, starting wave, and expected pace, according to NYC Tourism + Conventions. It also helps to tell your runner exactly where you will be standing and which side of the street to look for.

Why This Matters for NYC Real Estate

Marathon Sunday is one of our favorite days of the year in the city, and for our Upper East Side neighbors it is front-row seating. The course runs straight up First Avenue and back down Fifth Avenue along Museum Mile and Carnegie Hill, which means many UES residents can step outside, or simply look out the window, and catch some of the most exciting miles of the race. It is a great reminder of why so many buyers are drawn to this neighborhood: world-class events, Central Park access, and a true community feel, all within a few blocks of home.

If you live along the route, plan ahead. Expect street closures and heavy foot traffic on First and Fifth Avenues for much of the day, and check the MTA before traveling. If you are hosting an open house or have a showing scheduled that Sunday, factor in crossing restrictions on the avenues. And if you have been thinking about a home on or near the course, we are always happy to talk about which buildings have the best marathon views.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 NYC Marathon?
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The first starts begin at 8 a.m., with runner waves spaced through the morning.

Where can I watch the NYC Marathon on the Upper East Side?
Runners travel up First Avenue between miles 16 and 18, then return south on Fifth Avenue between East 105th and East 90th Streets at miles 23 to 24 before entering Central Park.

Can spectators watch at the start or on the bridges?
No. There is no spectator viewing at the start or on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and the Pulaski Bridge between Brooklyn and Queens is also closed to spectators.

Do I need a ticket to watch the finish?
Grandstand seats near the finish on West Drive at 67th Street require a ticket, typically starting at $55. A free standing area inside Central Park sits about 500 feet before the finish, with no chairs allowed.

How do I track a runner during the race?
Use the official race app for live tracking. Having the runner’s bib number, starting wave, and expected pace will give you the most accurate estimate of when they will pass your spot.

---

Source: This post is based on reporting by ABC7 New York (WABC-TV), “2026 TCS New York City Marathon: How to watch live,” published October 22, 2026, with additional information from the NYC Mayor’s Office, NY1, Time Out New York, and NYC Tourism + Conventions.