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 or relative as a carnival party atmosphere takes over the city.

This year, the marathon wlll run for the traditional 26.2 miles from Staten Island to Manhattan for the 41st running of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 4, 2012 beginning at 8:30 AM.

As usual, watch this year for a bevy of celebrity runners to appear at the 2012 New York City Marathon with local TV coverage broadcast on NBC New York.

New York Marathon official route

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 awaits in Central Park.

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) for a sharp turn on First Avenue 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 spot along Fourth Avenue, the longest NYC Marathon stretch, comes highly recommended. In Queens the best spots lie along 51st Street and 44th Drive from Vernon to Crescent Street. Meanwhile, up north in the Bronx, try 138th Street from Alexander Avenue to Third Avenue.

Around 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...

More about the New York City Marathon around the Web:

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 information, 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.

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 -> Running & Jogging Guides

London Marathon | Boston Marathon | Chicago Marathon

also see in Gift Ideas -> Gift ideas for joggers