Nyc Marathon 2023 route

Nyc Marathon 2023 route
NYC Marathon Finish Line in Central Park Photo: Melanie O’Brien

On Sunday, November 6th, the city will stand still as 50,000 runners take to the streets and make their way through the five boroughs for the TCS New York City Marathon. It will return to full capacity this year and is the largest marathon in the world! So (if you’re not pounding the pavement) it’s now time to warm up the vocal cords, gather your cheer squad, and plan your marathon experience.

Although the main event takes place on Sunday, November 6th, there will be a range of events in the week leading up to the marathon. Including a Parade of the Nations showcasing runners from all over the world, taking place at 5pm on Friday, November 4th. Watch from Central Park West, around 67th St, near the Grandstand Seating area.

Let’s Hear It for the Runners

If you’re running this year – GOOD LUCK! We hope you’re injury free, about to embrace “Taper Time,” and dreaming about tackling the magnificent course. At this stage of the lead-up, preparations should be underway for start line transportation to Staten Island, pre-race bag check, and bib pick-up time slots. Fun fact; there will be 1,400 toilets in the start villages and corrals (maybe pack your own paper just to be on the safe side 😉).

Nyc Marathon 2023 route
A popular viewing location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Photo: Melanie O’Brien

Let’s Cheer From the Sidelines

The course: Most of the course is open and free for spectators from roughly the 3rd mile (5km) mark right up to the home stretch in Central Park. As the course passes through the five boroughs, across bridges, and down major thoroughfares, significant road closures will be in place. If you’re venturing beyond your local neighborhood, then the best way to get around and cross the city is via the subway.

Cheering locations: The first glimpse of runners will be in Brooklyn, on Fourth Ave, as they exit the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. You can also shout loudly (while runners’ legs are relatively fresh) on Flatbush Avenue and approaching the halfway point in Williamsburg and Greenpoint.

It’s worth noting the halfway point is closed to spectators on the Pulaski Bridge, connecting Brooklyn to Queens.

Around the 25km point (16 miles), First Avenue, Manhattan, will be a hive of activity and an accessible cheering location. East Harlem is also open to spectators right before entering the “Charity Cheer Zone.” This area is designated to celebrate the thousands of runners running for a cause. There are over 500 official charity partners for the 2022 event so expect this section to burst with energy! Before the course officially enters the park, runners go down Fifth Avenue from 105th and 90th Streets.

TCS NYC Marathon Course Map

Nyc Marathon 2023 route
NYC Marathon Route, 2022 Source: Official NYC Marathon site

Book Ahead To See the Finish Line
If you have your heart set on seeing runners cross the finish line, then plan ahead and book tickets in the Grandstand Seating area via Eventbrite. There’s also a full list of vantage points and spectator guidelines on the New York Road Runners website.

If you fancy following the action from the comfort of your own home, the website also has a list of broadcasters and sites with live updates. For those in Australia keen to stay in the loop – FloSports is an international broadcast partner.

The 2022 NYC Marathon: In the Details
Sunday, November 6, 2022, from 8am

8am: Professional Wheelchair Division starts

8.22am: Handcycle Category and Select Athletes with Disabilities

8.40am: Professional Women’s Open Division

9.05am: Professional Men’s Open Division

9.10am – 11.30am: Waves 1–5 (at 35-minute intervals)

Roads should re-open late afternoon or into the early evening as sweep buses move through. The average time to finish the marathon is around 4 hours and 30 minutes. Elite athletes will zip through in just over 2 hours, while the course will remain officially open to those passing the finish line after 6 hours and 30 minutes.

2022 TCS New York City Marathon (nyrr.org)

Inspired To Run In 2023? There Are Plenty of Options!

9 + 1 program: NYRR offers a 9 + 1 program for dedicated runners living in New York. Entry for 2023 is dependent upon completing the program in 2022.

Charity partners: if running for a cause gives you an extra spring in your step, then this is a brilliant option! With hundreds of charity partners to choose from, you just need to meet the minimum requirement to guarantee entry.

Lottery: There is a lottery system worth considering as the most cost-effective option. Keep your eyes peeled in March 2023 to enter. (This year, around 84,000 folks entered the lottery, with around 10,000 names drawn and accepted. But…as they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it!)

Non-residents: For runners living outside New York with deep pockets, there are travel agents offering marathon packages. Packages vary, and links to accepted travel partners can be found on the NYRR site.

Nyc Marathon 2023 route
Runners entering Williamsburg Photo: Melanie O’Brien

Interested in hearing more about the marathon? Check out other similar AWNY articles here:

What is the route for NYC Marathon?

What's the route of the New York City Marathon? The race starts at Verrazano–Narrows Bridge in Staten Island, before making its way through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx before heading back to Manhattan, and finishing up in Central Park.

What date is the New York marathon 2023?

Race date: November 5, 2023. Reasons to run: It's the TCS New York City Marathon!

Is the NYC Marathon always the same route?

Although there are three different routes taken through Bay Ridge and up Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, all the routes eventually merge at Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn at Mile 8, and the distance covered by the runners are the same.

Is the NYC Marathon lottery random?

Lottery Drawing The NYC marathon accepts rolling applications year-round. Then they hold random drawings every two months. There are three drawing pools for local, national, and international applicants. Having different pools allows coordinators to ensure the geographic diversity of runners.