MAIN Recreation Sports New York City Marathon

What began in Central Park with a 127 runners in 1970, has today grown to an international event which includes some 30,000 runners from around the world participating in one of the world's largest and most famous running competitions.

Where else? In NYC.

An estimated 2 million spectators pack the streets each year to cheer on a friend, brother, sister, mother, father, aunt or cousin - as a carnival party atmosphere takes over the city and runs for 26.2 miles from Staten Island to Manhattan for the 40th running of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1, 2009.

In New York, local TV coverage can be seen on NBC channel 4. This year, the celebrity watch included ER doc Anthony Edwards, joined by actor Edward Norton and singer Alanis Morissette.

The New York City Marathon starts on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, then proceeds through Brooklyn and Queens...crosses the Queensborough Bridge into Manhattan...makes its way up to the Bronx and then south again to Manhattan...where the finish line is located near Central Park's Tavern on the Green.

Best New York Marathon Viewing

In Manhattan, First Avenue and 59th Street traditionally provides the most dramatic views as runners spill down the ramp of the Queensborough Bridge (at the 16-mile mark) to speed their way uptown. Otherwise, the best spectator viewing - and most elbow room - can be found on First Avenue between 65th and 96th Streets.

In Brooklyn, any place along Fourth Avenue, the longest Marathon stretch, comes highly recommended, and in Queens the best spots lie along 51st Street and 44th Drive from Vernon to Crescent Street. In the Bronx, try 138th Street from Alexander Avenue to Third Avenue.

On the Web, check out more detailed course descriptions with related maps, pictures, stories, history and trivia, stats and running times plus lots more on the world's biggest block party that is the New York City Marathon...

New York City Marathon - The official site with info on this year's race, entry details, participant list, race week events, feature stories, athlete bios, complete results from every marathon, or get your official New York City Marathon T-shirt at the online store...

New York Road Runners - The club that started it all, with the latest news, results, marathon entry informaton, training, strategy and fitness guides.

ING New York City Marathon - Race Details - The complete skinny on the stats dating back to 2001, contact details, related links, and visitor reviews with course descriptions from marathoners who have participated in marathons past.

The Marathon in NYC Photo Tour - Run the virtual marathon, via dozens of pictures with colorful shots taken in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

also see -> Boston Marathon | Chicago Marathon

London Marathon | Running & Jogging Guides

also see in Gift Ideas -> Gift Ideas for Joggers