The New York City Marathon is the last World Marathon Major to take place each year, and is the largest mass-participation marathon in the world (although the London Marathon is getting closer). It’s also one of the best supported, with throngs of people lining the course to cheer people on.

If you can’t be there in person, you’re going to want to tune in somehow, because it has assembled a truly outstanding field of elites, especially on the women’s side. 

Former marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri, and half marathon world record holder and marathon world champion Letesensbet Gidey are all running (although Jepchirchir has injury concerns).

Defending women’s champion Sharon Lokedi will also be looking to get into the mix for the win, while on the men’s side 2023 Boston Marathon champ and last year’s winner Evans Chebet and two-time winner Geoffrey Kamworor are likely to be the runners to watch.

While it’s not as fast a course as the Chicago or Berlin Marathons, so it’s unlikely more world records will fall, it should still be a thrilling race. 

New York City Marathon Live Streams

How To Watch The New York City Marathon For Free Worldwide

The elite races at the NYC Marathon will be streamed in the TCS New York City Marathon app (App Store and Google Play). The Women’s Professional Division sets off first at 8.40am EST, followed by the men at 9.05am EST.

We’ve confirmed with TCS that this stream is available worldwide. It’s the easiest way to watch the elite race—and it’s free.

How To Watch The New York City Marathon In The USA

If you’re a local you can watch the NYC Marathon on WABC-TV, Channel 7, with coverage starting at 8am EST. You can also stream the race in the ABC 7 New York App and at ABC7NY.com.

Elsewhere in the US you can watch the race on ESPN2, with coverage starting at 8am EST. You can also watch through the ESPN app and at ESPN.com. The live broadcast will also be available with Spanish commentary on ESPN3.

How To Watch The New York City Marathon In Europe, Australia and New Zealand

The race will be shown on Eurosport throughout Europe. In France you can also watch it on L’Équipe, in Italy you can see it on RAI, and in Spain it’s on TVE/TV3.

In Australia the NYC Marathon is being broadcast on Fox Sports More (channel 507) and streamed on Kayo and in New Zealand it’s on Sky.

How To Watch The New York City Marathon If You Are Outside Your Country Of Residence

If you’re unable to access your usual services because you are traveling and don’t want to use the app, you can use a VPN to tune into the NYC Marathon via your home nation’s broadcaster. The fine people on our sister site TechRadar have tested all of the top VPN services and recommend ExpressVPN. It’s quick and easy to set up, and you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee when you sign up, so you can try the service without having to commit to a long-term plan.

New York City Marathon Details

The New York City Marathon is a bucket list race for thousands of recreational runners. Not only is it arguably the granddaddy of the World Marathon Majors, it’s the largest marathon in the world with a field of around 50,000 runners pre-pandemic (although the London Marathon is catching up post-pandemic). 

The NYC Marathon course is also arguably the toughest of them all, up there with the Boston Marathon course, which at least has the advantage of being an overall net downhill—something that contributes to faster times there, as it does in Chicago. But because the New York City Marathon course is a bit more crowded and has significantly more uphill, including five bridge crossings, it’s a tough route for chasing a personal best and typically produces slower times overall than other races, including in the elite field. 

But New York is also largely about the experience, and there really isn’t a cooler way to see all five boroughs, all while being cheered on by the hundreds of thousands of spectators who come out every year.

The 2022 New York City Marathon was a bit of an anomaly because it recorded the highest race-day temperatures in history, with a warm and humid 72°F (22°C) at the start—not typical for New York City in November. While the winners of the elite race didn’t stray far from typical finish times, with men’s winner Evans Chebet finishing in 2hr 8min 41sec and women’s winner Sharon Lokedi in 2hr 23min 23sec (in her first marathon, no less), and non-binary winner Jacob Caswell crossing the line in 2hr 45min 12sec, many recreational runners faced a challenging day with the heat.

The 2023 race is currently forecast to have more standard weather with starting-line temperatures in the low 50s (10-12°C), which is sure to make many runners happy and improve the average NYC Marathon time. Nonetheless, here is the official data showcasing average finish times from last year’s race.

Want to see how NYC stacks up? We’ve looked up the average Chicago marathon time and the average London Marathon time, as well as assessing what is a good marathon time. 

The New York City Marathon will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first marathon in 2010, in the city where I became a true long-distance runner. With the inclines of five bridges to conquer, the course is not conducive to setting a personal best. However, most people who have run this iconic race would agree that you can’t beat running through all five boroughs in one day supported by arguably the largest crowd of spectators you’ll ever find at a road race. 

Now that I’ve run the Boston Marathon as well, I can finally choose when asked “New York or Boston?” My answer is New York, partly because it’s the city where I spent some of my formative years in my early 20s, and because I love that you get to run through the heart of the city and visit some of its most culturally diverse neighborhoods, as well as seeing landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Guggenheim Museum and the famous Central Park finish.

“The diverse neighborhoods, each with their own distinct character, add to the vibrant tapestry of the event,” says Louisa Warwick, a New York City-based runner who has run the marathon twice. “The energy and encouragement from the spectators, who come out in full force, uplift runners and make every step an unforgettable experience.”

I’ve run the New York City Marathon three times now, and those experiences, along with living and running there for several years before my first one, mean I know what to expect during my upcoming fourth attempt. Even so, I still feel like I haven’t mastered the course, but I hope to run a well-executed race this fall, now armed with a bit more running wisdom and experience. 

In the meantime, I’m sharing my tips for conquering the course along with advice from several other experienced New York City marathoners. Once you’ve taken these pointers in, Coach also has NYC Marathon tips from elite American runner Molly Seidel. 

Miles 1-2

The New York City Marathon starts on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Staten Island and Brooklyn, and is not normally open to foot traffic. This is actually the highest elevation you’ll hit for the whole race, says Alison De Noia, a 16-time New York City Marathoner from Colts Neck, New Jersey. 

“As you wait for the start gun, a Broadway star may be singing the national anthem, and when the gun goes off, they’ll play Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ to begin the race,” she says. “If you are on the upper level [orange and blue bibs], prepare for wind. It’s less windy on the lower level [green bibs].”

The first mile is uphill, which is great because it prevents most runners from starting out too fast. In contrast, mile 2 is a steep downhill all the way to the end of the bridge, and it’s very easy to get carried away. Remember the key to how to pace a marathon is to not go out too fast, so keep your pace in check during these early miles. 

One more thing to be aware of: “I’m noticing more and more people running and taking pictures and/or stopping to take pictures and selfies, so it’s important to pay attention,” says De Noia.

Miles 3-13

When most people think of New York City, they’re inclined to think of Manhattan, which makes it easy to assume that will be the highlight of the course. While Manhattan won’t disappoint, the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Sunset Park and Park Slope along Fourth Avenue are where the crowds really bring the noise. And while there are some gradual climbs, the first half of the course is easier—which is why it’s important to rein it in, says Sage Canaday, a professional ultrarunner for HOKA who ran the 2008 New York City Marathon in 2hr 30min 6sec.

“A lot of NYC Marathon first-timers—myself included—can get going way too fast from miles 3-10 as the crowds around Brooklyn are super-encouraging and the excitement level is sky-high,” he says. “This is still the time to pace yourself and hold back from going too fast.” 

Mile 8 is the convergence of the two paths, where everyone will be running together, De Noia adds. “You will be at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the crowds will be screaming for you and the music will blaring out of speakers onto the street,” she says. “As you approach Williamsburg, it will get quiet. Each neighborhood has its own unique qualities.”

You’ll then run a couple of miles in Downtown Brooklyn before reaching the halfway point at the Pulaski Bridge, which, unsurprisingly, is another uphill. 

“The response from the crowds in Brooklyn is the first part of the large amount of spectator support you get from the race,” says Warwick. “It’s hard to notice you are halfway through the marathon before even entering Manhattan as the adrenaline keeps your momentum going.”

Miles 13.1 to 15

After spending the first half of the race almost entirely in Brooklyn, the time spent in the borough of Queens is short in contrast. The crowds will be out in full force in Long Island City, gearing you up for one of the NYC Marathon’s hardest stretches.

Miles 15-16

The famous Queensboro Bridge is one of the toughest climbs of the race at just over a mile long. When I lived in Astoria, Queens, I ran across this bridge and back almost every day. As a result, the bridge was a piece of cake on race day. But when I returned the following year, after moving back to my pancake-flat hometown of Houston and doing zero hill work, I felt like I was crawling up that bridge. 

Hill training is essential if you don’t want this bridge to break you. But even if you are as prepared as you can be, my best advice would be to just accept that you’re going to slow down here and don’t kill yourself trying to maintain a certain pace for this mile.

“The Queensboro Bridge can really set the tone for the rest of your race,” says Canaday. “Go too fast and too hard up and down this massive hill and you can really pay the price in the remaining 10 miles.”

The Queensboro Bridge is also known to be extremely quiet, as spectators aren’t allowed to line it on race day. Take this opportunity to check in with yourself and offer some words of encouragement to fellow runners before you’re confronted with the famous “Wall of Sound” on the other side when you descend onto First Avenue in Manhattan.

“From the bridge, you’ll be able to hear the roaring of the crowds waiting on First Avenue,” says Ashley Mateo, a five-time New York City Marathoner and UESCA-certified run coach based in Denver. “That cheering is especially motivating because the previous mile and a half is very quiet. It gives a kind of zombie apocalypse vibe because with no spectators on the bridge—all you can hear is the slapping of people’s running shoes on the ground. It’s actually a nice place to recenter yourself and get your head in gear before entering the final 10 miles of the race.” 

Miles 17-19

Just after mile 16, you’ll cruise down the end of the Queensboro Bridge and around a little jug handle that spits you out onto First Avenue. Once you’re off the bridge, the rest of mile 16 all the way through mile 19 is a straight shot up First Avenue, from 59th Street to 125th. 

“This stretch is one of the more crowded of the race, especially between miles 16 and 18, which is super-helpful because you’re at that point where you’ve got a lot of miles on your legs already, but still have a lot more to go,” says Mateo. “Use the crowd energy here. Most spectators stick to the runners’ left, and they’re often four or five deep with people literally hanging over the barricades.”

You do descend around 82 feet in mile 17, but the rolling nature of First Avenue and the point of the race at which it comes does make this whole stretch feel like a subtle uphill grind, according to Mateo. 

“Heading up First Avenue towards the Bronx can be a really tricky point in the race as it is certainly not flat and you’ll be undoubtedly feeling fatigued this late in the race,” Canaday says. “However, if you’ve paced yourself appropriately, and stayed hydrated and fueled, you can really harness the energy of the cheering crowds that line the course.” 

After you hit mile 18 and the Upper East Side neighborhood transitions into Harlem, the crowds thin out a bit. But you can also start to see where you’re headed: bridge number four, the Willis Avenue Bridge. 

“It is a slow incline up to the Willis Avenue Bridge, so be prepared,” De Noia says. “It’s another quiet space where both the physical and mental training will kick in.”

Miles 19-20

Another bridge, another borough. “This is one of the easiest bridges of the race, with a short climb—less than 50 feet, and make sure to look for the photographers towards the middle of the bridge—before the downhill brings you into the Bronx,” says Mateo.

You’re only in the Bronx for a short distance, but it might be the most memorable part of the course because of the running crews that line the streets, says Kari-Ann Wanat, a two-time New York City Marathoner and RRCA-certified run coach based in New York City, who also puts out cheer zone guides on the Instagram account @runnracenyc.

“From the moment you step off the bridge, running crews—most representing the Bronx—will be cheering for all runners, waving their team flags, and playing music to pump you up for the final 10K,” she says. 

Mateo agrees. “Some people say the Bronx is lacking in spectator support compared with the rest of the course, but more and more run clubs have been moving up there to bring the hype,” she says. “Keep an eye for the Boogie Down Bronx Runners dance party on the runners’ right. That energy will help you smash through the ‘wall’ at mile 20.”

“You will make quite a few turns before you make your way over the Madison Avenue Bridge onto Fifth Avenue in Harlem,” says Wanat.

Miles 21-24

Before you know it, you’re back in Manhattan. 

“Crossing back on the Madison Avenue Bridge into Manhattan, and then when you land at 135th Street, it’s quiet,” De Noia says. “But as you approach Marcus Garvey Park, be prepared for spectators to be closer to you. The street gets a little narrow and when you are tired, it can be hard.”

From there, you will run around Central Park and then down Fifth Avenue to 90th Street, where you will enter the park. This is a fairly flat portion of the race until you get to 110th Street, where you will run parallel up a notoriously steady incline before you make your way into Central Park. Fortunately, though, this is another spot that will be packed with supporters to get you through it.

“The park has rolling hills and both sides of the road are packed with people screaming as you run the length of the park and then exit to run along Central Park South,” De Noia says. “This is longer than you think because you are running the square bottom of the park and not the oval loop.”

Miles 25-26.2

It might seem cruel to make you leave the park, but it’ll pass quickly as you re-enter the park on Eighth Avenue at Columbus Circle. From there, it’s a short uphill to the finish, which you might not even notice after all the ups and downs it took to get there. Don’t be surprised if you get emotional as you finally cross the finish line with cheers erupting from the grandstands. The New York City Marathon truly is a race like no other and it’ll be hard to not be proud of your finish, no matter where those numbers on the clock land.

If you’ve ever cheered on family and friends at a small, local marathon, you may have found that it was easy to spot them from the sidelines. But anyone planning to join the spectators at the New York City Marathon will find that it’s a very different story. 

Not only is the New York City Marathon one of the city’s busiest public events of the year, it can be tricky to navigate if you’re not a local. The marathon runs through all five of the city’s boroughs (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx) and catching sight of your runner in more than one of them can seem like a tall order.

Fortunately, there’s an app for that. The TCS New York City Marathon app, to be exact. The app serves as a one-stop shop for runners and spectators alike, for runner tracking and race info. The New York City Marathon app usually tops the charts as the most downloaded sports app worldwide during the first weekend of November, and has had nearly three million downloads over the past 10 years.

“The TCS New York City Marathon course traverses vibrant, diverse neighborhoods filled with millions of roaring fans—it’s where the world comes to celebrate running,” says Suresh Muthuswami, chairman of TCS North America. “This year, technology enhancements will elevate the experience for everyone—whether they are conquering 26.2 miles of New York City streets, celebrating on the sidewalks, or tracking runners on the app.”

Spectators can even use the app to watch the broadcast and see the pro races unfold, which will also include app-exclusive live commentary from Olympians Des Linden and Galen Rupp and Paralympian Amanda McGrory, a feature that is new for 2023. Read on to learn about other key features of the New York City Marathon app.

The TCS New York City Marathon is the biggest marathon in the world, with almost 50,000 finishers in 2022, but that number is still a mere fraction of the number who want a place in the race, so a ballot is used to determine who gets a spot.

This year’s race takes place on 5th November and the ballot is open from Wednesday 8th February until 22nd February. The results will be announced on 1st March. 

There are actually three ballots for the NYC Marathon. One is for applicants from the NYC metro area (people who live within 60 miles of New York City) one is for other US residents, and one is for international applicants, and an equal number are selected from each pool.

It’s free to enter the ballot, but you have to give details of a credit or debit card and if you are selected the card is charged for entry. You don’t get a chance to back out after the draw, though you can remove your name from the ballot before it’s drawn. You can cancel your entry and get a guaranteed place in next year’s race, but you will still be charged for the 2023 spot and have to pay again in 2024.

It costs $295 to enter the NYC Marathon if you’re not a member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR), which organizes the event, with entry reduced to $255 for members. It’s $358 for international participants. 

The odds of getting a ballot place are fairly slim, but there are other ways to get into the NYC Marathon 2023. There’s charity entry and the official list of charity partners for the race will be announced on 1st March.

Fast runners can also get a place in the race if they have run a qualifying time in a half marathon or marathon in 2022. The times required vary by gender and age group, and places are allocated on a first come, first served basis, although those who log the time in an NYRR-organised event take precedence.

Speaking of NYRR events, you can also gain entry via the 9+1 programme, which guarantees places for people who run in nine NYRR events and volunteer at one in a calendar year. If you didn’t do this in 2022, start logging your races in 2023 now for the 2024 NYC Marathon – there are 30 in-person and three virtual events in 2023 that are eligible for the 9+1 programme.

International runners can also enter via an International Tour Package – you’ll find a list of official providers on the NYRR website – and if you happen to have finished the NYC Marathon 15 times in the past, you get a guaranteed spot in all future events if you want it.

No matter how you get in, get a head start on your preparations with these New York City marathon tips, courtesy of the fastest American woman to have run the course, Molly Seidel, then pick which marathon training plan to follow. Start one of our 14-week plans at the end of July to be race-ready come November.

With just days to go before the 2022 New York City marathon, we spoke to Molly Seidel, Olympic bronze medallist from Tokyo 2022 and holder of the fastest time by an American woman on the New York City course, to get her top tips any runner can benefit from.

1. Stick To Your Pre-Race Routine

Having a good routine is almost like a ritual. I’m not necessarily superstitious, but I think that you get a lot of confidence from having a go-to routine before races and working through it. For me, I know that an hour out I’m going to do a quick one-mile warm-up, then I’m going to do my exercises, and then I’m going to eat a little bit of a gel at a certain time. I can put my brain on autopilot and go through what I know works for me. It really can help take some of those nerves away.

2. Don’t Stress About External Factors

What I’ve found doing races all over the world, in all different conditions, is that you can’t necessarily control what’s going on around you. You can’t control the schedules, you can’t control other people, but if you can get to a place in your mind where you’re feeling calm and confident in what you’re doing, that’s 99% of the battle right there.

3. Don’t Worry About The Weather

You can’t control the weather either! I’ve never looked at the weather forecast before my races because I don’t find that it changes my race plan all that much. You are going to be running anyway, whether it's 90°F or 40°. Of course if it’s super-hot like it was in Tokyo then you might change the pace you go out at, but otherwise, thinking too much about it and wondering what it’s going to be like isn’t very helpful. Sometimes you’ve just got to go and do it!

4. Respect The Course

With my depth of experience – my one New York marathon! – I would have to say it is a difficult course, but I don’t think that should make you worried. Adjusting your pace based on New York’s course is very important, but you will definitely rise to the challenge. 

5. Don’t Go Off Too Fast

You start going over the Verrazzano Bridge which is really long. It’s a long uphill and then a long downhill. It’s very easy with a big race like New York to get so caught up in the energy of the start and go off too fast, but always remember there’s a lot of race ahead of you.

6. The Race Starts At Mile 16

The best piece of advice that I got before I ran New York was from my Team USA team-mate Sally Kipyego, who had come second at the race several years before. She kept telling me,  “The race does not start until mile 16. Be conservative until then and you’ll have something left in the tank.” That was great advice.

7. Be Prepared For Quiet Spots

When you cross into Manhattan on the Queensboro Bridge, you go from all of the excitement and noise of the boroughs you’ve been through on to the bridge, and all of a sudden it’s like you could hear a pin drop. It’s actually a little bit weird and almost like a sensory deprivation thing. Just be prepared for that.

8. Surf The Crowd

Coming off the Queensboro Bridge is the wildest experience. You turn off the bridge and hit First Avenue and there are more people than you’ve ever seen in your life, all the way down, just cheering for you. It’s such a cool feeling. New York is known for its crowds, so use the crowds – use that energy, use that electricity.

9. The Crux Of The Course

Those final miles are always going to be the most difficult: coming through Harlem, up Fifth Avenue and through the park. There are a ton of people cheering you, but it is a steady incline. It is going to be difficult coming up that, then into Central Park with a few rolling hills and a slight uphill to the finish. But I think if you can make it past that long uphill on Fifth before you get into the park, you’ve made it past the most difficult part – then you can do anything.

10. Enjoy It

Running, in my unbiased opinion, is the best sport in the world. It’s the great equaliser – everyone can go out and do the race in their own way. This is a sport for everybody. Go enjoy it! 

Seidel was speaking around the launch of the Michelob ULTRA Run Fund which has the goal of reaching 50% representation of female and non-binary runners in marathons, in part by by covering race fees and providing training to first-time marathon runners.