NYC Marathon 2026
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NYC Marathon Finish Line 68th Street and West Drive
Enjoy watching the final three miles of the annual TCS NYC Marathon in Central Park!
The TCS New York City Marathon, the world’s largest marathon, is one of NYC’s most iconic and anticipated annual sporting events. Drawing over three million spectators globally, it showcases more than 50,000 runners racing through all five boroughs of New York City, beginning in Staten Island and finishing in Central Park.
The 2026 race carries special significance. It marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course, which was first run in 1976 to celebrate the nation's Bicentennial. What began as a small loop around Central Park in 1970 has grown into the largest marathon on the planet, and the 2025 race set a new world record with 59,226 finishers crossing the line.
The last three miles take place inside Central Park, finishing on West Drive at West 67th Street, right next to the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant. The park will be buzzing with excitement and packed with runners, spectators, and race officials.
Course Timeline & Overview
The race kicks off early on Staten Island and officially begins at 8:00 AM, starting with the Professional Wheelchair and Handcycle divisions. The main running waves start later, with the first wave beginning at 9:10 AM, and continuing through late morning, with the last wave starting around 11:30 AM. Visit this page for the full timeline.
The marathon covers 26.2 miles through all five boroughs:
- Start: Staten Island, crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge (the highest point on the course).
- Brooklyn: Fast downhill entry with crowd support through neighborhoods like Bay Ridge and Williamsburg.
- Queens: Includes the challenging Queensboro Bridge climb.
- Manhattan & Bronx: Running up First Avenue, crossing into the Bronx, then returning via Madison Avenue Bridge.
- Finish: Through Harlem along Fifth Avenue, culminating in the challenging hills of Central Park.
Where to Watch in Central Park
Great places to watch the NYC Marathon in Central Park include:
- The Finish Line Area at West Drive and West 67th Street (Tavern on the Green): This is the most iconic spot where runners complete the race. Grandstand seating is available here by ticket, and there are standing spectator areas nearby for the emotional final moments.
- Columbus Circle (United Airlines Zone): Just at the southwest corner of Central Park, this spot offers a good view of runners finishing the last part of the course. Spectator access includes grandstands and standing areas.
- Along Central Park West between West 59th and West 81st Streets: This stretch is part of the final miles inside the park; crowd density varies, and there are multiple vantage points to cheer runners.
- East Side Entry into Central Park at Engineer's Gate (East 90th Street): A popular spot where runners enter the park. This is where runners face one of the toughest points, often hitting "the dreaded wall." Your encouragement here can be especially uplifting!
- Between East 86th and East 90th Streets: A less crowded area with good views and easier park crossing options.
Race Day Tips for Spectators
- Download the NYRR App: for live runner tracking, course updates, and helpful maps
- Runner Tracking: Or visit https://liveresults.nyrr.org/ to keep tabs on your favorite runners in real-time.
- How to Get Around: Navigating Central Park during the race requires caution. Crossing Park Drives (the runners’ route) isn’t allowed. Use underpasses at Greywacke Arch (80th St), Trefoil Arch (73rd St), Willowdell Arch (67th St), and Inscope Arch (62nd St).
- Where to Park: See below for discounted parking options. Consider parking outside direct race routes and use public transit to avoid closures.
Get Discounts on Parking for the 2026 NYC Marathon
Race day brings large crowds and street closures, making parking a challenge. Plan ahead and reserve a spot to enjoy race day without the hassle. Our partner LAZ Parking offers discounted garage parking rates at the following locations:
South Side Garages: Located just south of Central Park, these garages offer quick access to the finish line area and prime spectator spots along the park's southern edge.
East Side Garage: Perfect for fans wanting to view runners along 5th Avenue or enjoy Central Park’s eastern entry points.
- The Metropolitan Garage (1000 5th Avenue) at the Met Museum
West Side Garage: Ideal for easy access to the final miles inside Central Park and the finish line area.
Celebrities Running the 2026 TCS NYC Marathon
The lineup of celebrity and notable runners participating in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon includes:
- Tayshia Adams: Bachelor Nation star and co-host running with Team Maybelline
- Darby Allin: AEW professional wrestler supporting KultureCity
- Joe Amabile: “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star supporting Release Recovery
- Tiki Barber: Former New York Giants player
- Errol Barnett: CBS News anchor and national correspondent
- Joshua Bassett: Actor, singer-songwriter, and musician supporting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Chelley Bissainthe: “Love Island USA” star and television personality running with Team Maybelline
- Matt Brickman: NBC 4 New York meteorologist
- Justin Britt: Mental health advocate and former NFL football player supporting NYRR Team for Kids
- Brian Cheung: NBC News correspondent
- Liz Cho and Mike Marza: WABC-TV anchors supporting the Alzheimer’s Association
- Zac Clark: “The Bachelorette” star and founder and CEO of Release Recovery
- Jennifer Connelly: Academy Award-winning actor
- Merle Dandridge: Actor supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
- Del Water Gap: American songwriter and producer
- Dylan Efron: “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Traitors” star running with New Balance
- Ellie Fisher: Wife of Broadway star and actor Jordan Fisher, supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
- Kyle Fraser: “Survivor” season 48 winner supporting the Chelsea Piers Foundation
- Zarna Garg: Comedian, New York Times bestselling author, and actor running with Team Maybelline
- Karen Sarahi Gonzalez: Digital creator and entrepreneur running with Team Maybelline
- William Goodge: British ultra-endurance athlete supporting Stand Up To Cancer
- Greg Grippo: “The Bachelorette” star
- Vinny Guadagnino: “Jersey Shore” star
- Mitch Guerra: “Survivor” season 48 star supporting the Chelsea Piers Foundation
- Luke Gulbranson: “Summer House” star supporting Blood Cancer United
- Erika Henningsen: Broadway star and actor supporting Girl Rising
- T.J. Holmes: Journalist and media personality
- Blake Horstmann: “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Matt James: “The Bachelor” star and co-founder of nonprofit ABC Food Tours
- Sam Judge: Wife of New York Yankees All-Star Aaron Judge, supporting KultureCity
- Meredith Kopit Levien and Diane Brayton: New York Times CEO and chief legal officer running with 10 other staffers supporting the “Run for Reporting” campaign
- Allison Kucharczyk: Co-host of Netflix’s “Couldn’t Agree Less” podcast, creator and interior designer running with Team Maybelline
- Noelle Lambert: American Paralympian and “Survivor” season 43 contestant running with Team Maybelline
- Jordan Litz: Broadway actor currently starring in “Wicked” on London’s West End
- Chloe Lukasiak: “Dance Moms” star supporting TheaterWorksUSA
- Patina Miller: Tony Award-winning Broadway star and actor
- James Milner: Former Premier League soccer player and England midfielder supporting the James Milner Foundation
- Casey Neistat: Content creator, director, and entrepreneur supporting NYRR Team for Kids
- N.O.R.E.: Rapper, actor, and media personality, running with his “Run Champs” crew
- Oz Pearlman: Mentalist and endurance runner who holds the record for the most miles run in Central Park in a single day
- Peloton instructors: Robin Arzón, Mariana Fernandez, Hannah Frankson, Alex Karwoski, Zacharias Niedswiecki, Ash Pryor, Camila Ramón, and Matt Wilpers
- Laura Perlongo: Wife of Nev Schulman
- P-Lo: Filipino American rapper and producer
- Antoni Porowski: Emmy Award winner, New York Times bestselling author, and star of “Queer Eye” and “Best of the World” supporting City Harvest
- Carl Radke: “Summer House” star and entrepreneur supporting Release Recovery
- Rich Roll: Plant-based ultra-endurance athlete and podcaster
- Nev Schulman: “Catfish: The TV Show” creator and host
- Hannah Ann Sluss: “The Bachelor” star running with Team Nanit
- Andrew Spencer: “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star
- Mychal Threets: Librarian and “Reading Rainbow” star supporting CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation
- Benjamin Walker: Actor and Broadway star
- Cory Wharton: Television personality, entrepreneur, and content creator supporting The Children’s Heart Foundation
Planning Ahead: Road and Street Closures
Navigating New York City during the marathon requires checking street closures in advance.
For detailed information, see this list of road and street closures.