Also being one of the World Marathon Majors, the New York Marathon is an annual event with it’s course weaving through all five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the world’s largest marathons and had 37850 finishers in the year 2006. The race is organised by NYRR which is the New York Road Runners organisation. It was first held in 1970 and has been run every year since. It is held on the first Sunday in November attracting professional runners and amateurs alike from all over the globe. Because of it’s growth in popularity the New York Marathon is now limited to 37000 competitors. These runners are by the whole chosen on a lottery basis. However runners who are members of the NYRR can gain entry by meeting the qualification standards for guaranteed entry or via nomination from their respective official running club. Officially recognized running clubs are allowed to have 2 guaranteed entry spots for members who did not make entry via the lottery process.

 

The first New York City marathon was held in 1970 and was organised by the NYRR club president Vince Chiappetta and Fred Lebow. In that first race there were only 127 competitors and about 100 spectators. Of the 127 runners only 55 completed the course. Small beginnings but nowadays the marathon is limited to 37000 competitors.

The course covers all 5 boroughs of New York City beginning on Staten Island near the approach to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Naturally the bridge is closed to traffic during the event. The runners use both sides of the bridge and at the beginning of the race this creates a spectacular site as 1000s of runners flock across the bridge.

The New York Marathon

 

 

After crossing the bridge the next 11 miles or so the course winds it’s way through Brooklyn passing through neighbourhoods such as Bat Ridge, Williamsburg,  Greenpoint and Sunset Park. The half way point of the race is marked by the Pulaski Bridge which is the entrance into Queens. After running for about 2 miles through Queens the runners then cross the East River via the Queensboro Bridge and enter into Manhattan. Manhattan marks 16 miles into the race.

Once reaching Manhattan the race follows First Avenue, crossing briefly into the Bronx by the Willis Avenue Bridge before returning back to Manhattan via the Maddison Avenue Bridge. South through Harlem, down Fifth Avenue brings the runners into Central park. At Columbus Circle the race enters Central Park again before coming to the finish at Tavern On The Green.

 

 

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