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.
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.
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:
How to get ready for 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 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.