NewsweekWhen it comes to the TCS New York City Marathon, the enormity of the event means everyone in the Big Apple is involved, whether they’re running, watching or just trying to get around the city.
One of the most well-known races in the world, runners will take to the streets on Sunday. The 26.2-mile route covers all five boroughs, and, with about 50,000 participants, the New York Police Department close a number of roads to keep everyone safe.
So it’s important that everyone who will be in the city on Sunday be informed of the route and closures. For those who are in town to see the race, it’s important to know where the best spots are to watch because some areas are closed off to spectators.
Route
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. participants will kick off the race in Staten Island near the approach to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. They will then work their way through Brooklyn by way of Fourth Avenue, making a right onto Lafayette Avenue. After running through the Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods, runners will head into Queens and cross over to Manhattan by way of the Queensboro Bridge.
Arriving in Manhattan at 59th Street, runners will head north on First Avenue until they reach 125th Street, where they’ll cross over into the Bronx. After a short stay in the Bronx, runners will cross back into Manhattan at 138th Street.
Miles 21 to 25 take runners south on Fifth Avenue where they will enter Central Park at 90th Street and head south of the park’s East Drive to Central Park South. At that point, they’ll run west to Columbus Circle where they turn north and finally finish near West 66th Street.
To keep everyone safe as thousands of people run in the New York City Marathon, the New York City Police Department will close a number of roads in all five boroughs. Road closures began on Saturday at midnight with the upper level, midpoint and exit to 92nd street exit of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, according to the TCS New York City Marathon. More streets would then be closed on a rolling basis.
Beginning at 7 a.m.
- Verazzano-Narrows Bridge: Lower level Staten Island bound
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge: Lower level Brooklyn bound
- Queensboro Bridge—Lower level Manhattan side
- Queensboro Bridge—Lower level midspan
- Queensboro Bridge—Lower level Queens side
Beginning at 7:15 a.m.
- 4th Avenue and 80th Street
- Bay Ridge Parkway and 6th Avenue
- 4th Avenue and 80th Street
- 4th Avenue and 82nd Street
- 74th Street, before 6th Avenue
Beginning at 7:25 a.m.
- Fourth Avenue and 18th Street
- Fourth Avenue and 18th Street
- Fourth Avenue and 22nd Street
- Fourth Avenue and 43rd Street
- Fourth Avenue and 63rd Street
Beginning at 7:35 a.m.
- Bedford Avenue and South Third Street
- Bedford Avenue between Wall Street and Lynch Street
Beginning at 7:45 a.m.
- Manhattan Avenue before Greenpoint Avenue
- Manhattan Avenue past Bedford Avenue
Beginning at 8 a.m.
- Fourth Avenue and Third Street
- Bedford Avenue and Kosciuszko Street
- Flatbush Avenue and Lafayette Avenue
- Lafayette and Classon avenues
- McGuiness Boulevard, approaching Pulaski Bridge
Beginning at 8:30 a.m.
- 10th Street and 44th Drive
- 135th Street just west of Willis Avenue
- Madison Avenue Bridge
- Madison Avenue Bridge and West 138th Street
Beginning at 8:45 a.m.
- First Avenue and 117th Street
- First Avenue and 77th Street
- First Avenue and 97th Street
- First Avenue between 109th and 110th Streets
- Willis Avenue Bridge
Beginning at 9 a.m.
- Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street
- Fifth Avenue and 125th Street
- Central Park South (59th Street from Fifth Avenue to Columbus Circle)
- Mount Morris Parkway and 122nd Street
Central Park East Drive at 65th Street, 68th Street and 84th Street would also be closed, as well as, Central Park West Drive at 62nd Street and 67th Street. Roads were scheduled to reopen between 12:35 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Watch Spots
It may be tempting to go to the starting line to watch the race, but there’s no spectator viewing there. However, the TCS New York City Marathon recommends a number of viewing spots for people who want to be a part of the action, listed as:
- Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn
- Either the Brooklyn or Queens side of the Pulaski Bridge
- First Avenue at 62nd Street
- East Harlem
- First Avenue at East 120th Street
- First Avenue between East 90th Street and East 105th Street
- Columbus Circle
It may also be tempting to try to watch people cross the finish line, but that would be pointless unless you have a Grandstand Seating ticket. The tickets cost $50 plus fees and must be purchased in advance from either the website or the New York City Marathon Expo.
