A Glimpse Inside the NYC Marathon Course in 26 Pictures

Running the New York City Marathon is a bucket-list dream for runners from around the world. And rightly so! It’s a great race, both because the ability to tour all five boroughs of the Big Apple on foot is an amazing opportunity and because, well, it’s New York City, and if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere! Here’s a glimpse at the course in photos, with some insights on what to expect when you’re running 26.2 miles from Staten Island to Central Park.



RELATED: 45 Reasons We Love the New York City Marathon

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Race morning starts with an early morning bus, subway or ferry ride to Staten Island for all 50,000 runners in the race. Photo: Steve Godwin

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Once on Staten Island, runners head to the athlete's village area, passing through security gates manned by New York City's finest. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Every good race starts with a line at the porta-potties, right? Although it seems a bit chaotic to the 50,000 runners who arrive by bus and ferry, the pre-race runner camp at the New York City Marathon is extremely well-organized. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

The New York City Marathon has a large percentage of overseas participants so you're bound to bump into runners from dozens of different countries. Photo: Michael Proulx

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Like any big marathon, half of the battle is staying warm and comfortable in the hours before you start.

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

In order to organize the many start waves, runners are lined up more than an hour before their start time. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

A ground-level view shows dozens of different models of shoes on the feet of nervous runners. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

The New York City Marathon has perhaps the most dramatic start of any race in the world as runners immediately run over the 2-mile Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Running on the top deck offers amazing views of Manhattan. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Not all starting waves of runners get to run on the top deck of the bridge. It's less windy on the lower deck, but it's just as energetic. Photo: Steve Godwin

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Once off the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, runners enter Brooklyn, the second borough of their journey. Photo: Michael Proulx

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

When you enter Brooklyn near Mile 2, you're met with robust cheers from thousands of spectators. Suddenly you realize it's not just a fun spectacle, but a grueling 26.2-mile run. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Runners get a snapshot glimpse of everyday life in Brooklyn, New York's most populous borough. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

If you find yourself in a rut in Brooklyn, there are plenty of signs that will give you a boost. Photo: Michael Proulx

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

When you pass through Brooklyn, be sure to give the guys from Ladder Co. No. 102 a high-five and a big thank you. Photo: Steve Godwin

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

After Brooklyn, you'll run through a small section of Queens. But you'll leave Queens soon after on the Queensboro Bridge and head into Manhattan. There's no better place to take a picture of the New York City skyline. Photo: Steve Godwin

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

The only place on the course that is mostly quiet—except for the constant hum of runners' footsteps and breathing patterns—is while running over the 3,700-foot Queensboro Bridge. Like the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, there are no spectators along the course there. But by the time runners get to the Queensboro Bridge, the hootin' and hollerin' has all but ceased as runners approach Mile 16. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Near the end of the Queensboro Bridge, the silence gives way to a crescendo of roaring spectators along First Avenue. It's a sensory overload, but it can be a welcomed emotional lift as you enter Manhattan with 10 miles still to run. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Runners are supported by an amazing array of fans during the 3.5-mile straightway section down First Avenue. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Starting near the 16-mile mark, the section of the course down First Avenue is where reality sets in for a lot of runners. However, the non-stop cheering helps get you through the grind. Photo: Michael Proulx

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Many runners say that the short section of the course through the Bronx—roughly Mile 19.5 to 21—is the hardest section on the course.

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Harlem isn't a borough, but you'll get a good amount of support from this large neighborhood near Mile 21 at the north end of Manhattan on your way to Central Park. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

The spectators who come out to support runners along the closing miles of the New York City Marathon in Central Park provide a huge lift, both with non-stop cheering and funny signs. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

After 3 miles in Central Park and a short stint on 59th Street (Central Park South), runners turn the corner at Columbus Circle and re-enter the park for the final 600-meter approach to the finish line. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Ah, the finish line! Little compares with finishing the New York City Marathon. That's when the excitement of running the point-to-point course through all five boroughs starts to sink in, no matter if you've been there before of if you've just scratched it off the bucket list. Photo: Sarah Swiss

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

After runners get their finisher medals and space blankets, there's a short walk to the drop bag area. Photo: Brian Metzler

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New York City Marathon Course in Pictures

Although it looks and feels like a march of zombies, these are marathon finishers decked out in the special ASICS finisher jackets walking along Central Park West on the way back to their hotels or to meet up with family and friends. Photo: Michael Proulx

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