New York Marathon: Run the Five Boroughs in November

The first Sunday of November is arguably the best day to live the true spirit of the Big Apple. If you want to make the most of it, however, you have to run; a lot, in fact — 26.2 miles! The New York marathon is one of the most popular races in the world. With fifty-thousand-plus runners completing the course last year, it comes second only to Hong Kong’s marathon in number of participants. Size apart, New York’s event is unique; for many it is the Mecca for marathon runners the world over.

Own the streets

When you run in a city, you truly own it. Strolling the streets as a tourist may seem like a more comfortable way to admire its landmarks, perhaps stopping on the way to enjoy an iconic hot dog, bought off a roadside cart. But if you really want to engage with the city, soak up its ambience and get a sense of its inhabitants — 2.5 million of which will be lining the roads, cheering for you to make it to the finish line! — you have to feel the impact of the asphalt in your bones. 

Easy!

Actually, one of the reasons for the New York marathon being so popular is that it is not that hard. The course is basically flat, with the steepest climb occurring within the first two miles; just after runners leave Staten Island to cross into Brooklyn via the Verrazano-Narrows bridge. But don’t get too excited: as any pro will tell you, running a marathon is all about strategy. Even after this initial climb, it’s best to preserve your energy, as the odyssey has just begun.

Bridges

One thing the course of the marathon makes clear to both the public and those runners with the presence of mind to notice, is that New York City is made up of a lot of islands — some fifty in all — incorporated into its five boroughs: the above-mentioned Staten Island and Brooklyn, and Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. Consequently, participants must cross five bridges before arriving at Central Park, with its few small but treacherous hills, before hitting the final stretch.

Too cold

New York has been hosting marathons since the beginning of the 20th century. Originally organised on February 22nd to coincide with George Washington’s birthday, the first races were run on open roads among traffic, sometimes in temperatures as low as six degrees below zero. Many untrained runners would pass out from exhaustion or suffered hypothermia. 

Central Park only

Happily, in 1970 the current autumn date was established. That year, the marathon was held entirely within Central Park. The fee back then was one dollar to run, compared with the $358 it costs this year ($295 for New Yorkers). Of the 127 participants that ran in 1970, only one of whom was a woman, and only fifty-five completed the course.

The Five-Borough Race

Although founded by the English in the mid-17th century and named in honour of the Duke of York, New York City, as we know it, wasn’t established until 1898 with the incorporation of various separate cities or ‘boroughs’. Ending in Central Park in Manhattan — the ‘original’ New York – the marathon offers an opportunity to explore a city that is really many cities in one.

Verrazano Bridge

The first four kilometres of the race are slow, with runners packing all lanes of the upper level of this bridge; named after the Italian Giovanni da Verrazzano, the first European explorer to sail the Hudson River in 1524, most runners will still have the energy to appreciate fantastic views of the harbour. 

Williamsburg

Enter the most fashionable neighbourhood of New York, part of the Brooklyn borough, with its signature brownstone buildings. Full of small thrift shops, flea markets and art galleries, this is where the hipster culture developed and spread all over the world.

Roosevelt Island

Halfway through the race, runners reach Queensboro Bridge where they cross into Manhattan over the East River, taking in Roosevelt Island on the way. A little over 3 km long and accessible by a shorter bridge, or by subway, ferry or tramway, less than ten thousand people live on the Island.

El Barrio

This neighbourhood of Upper Manhattan, also known as Spanish Harlem, is home to the largest Latino community in the city – mainly Puerto Ricans, Domincans, Mexicans and Cubans. Expect a live band playing salsa to help runners push through the hardest part of the course.

Harlem

This neighbourhoood has long been synonymous with the rich history of African-American culture. Among its many establishments, runners pass just blocks away from the Apollo Theatre, where black music legends from Billie Holiday to James Brown launched their careers.

Fifth Avenue

One of the most expensive streets in the world, this is a shopaholic’s dream, or nightmare (depending on your budget.) All major fashion labels are here. It also boasts art centres, such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, its impressive building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Central Park

By this stage, runners are unlikely to appreciate the beauty of this vast urban oasis that offers all sorts of outdoor activities, from sports to live concerts. The park’s gigantic 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk, known as Cleopatra’s Needle, will be a sight for sore eyes – not to mention legs.

How to run?

Running the exhausting 26.2-mile race might actually be the easiest part of the event! This is because being accepted as a runner in the first place is pretty difficult. Due to its popularity, the organisation has had to limit the number of athletes who can run. There are four main ways to be accepted: pro marathon runners receive an invitation, as do those that have run at least ten previous marathons. Being a member of one of the many charities that participate in the event can also get you an invite. Otherwise, you have to apply to run via a lottery. If the latter is your best shot, better be fast: applications are only accepted until early February.