Course
The ING New York City Marathon course is a 26.2-mile block party through the world’s most diverse city, and has been a model for big-city marathons around the world. Here’s what you need to know about services, entertainment, cheering zones, and more.
Please note that the marathon course is completely closed to vehicular traffic during the race.
Mile/Kilometer Markers and Clocks
Mile signs and clocks will be posted at every mile. Before mile 8, clocks marked with color-coded signs correspond to your start color. After mile 8, all mile markers are orange. Course clocks will be set to correspond with Wave 1.
Yellow kilometer signs and clocks will be posted every 5 kilometers.
Timing mats will be located at the start, every 5K (3.1 miles) to 40K, the half-marathon (13.1 miles), every mile beginning at mile 8, and the finish.
There will be video checkpoints and volunteers checking race numbers along the course. Be sure that your race number is pinned to the front of your shirt and clearly visible. Failure to appear at video checkpoints may result in disqualification.
Fluids and Food
Poland Spring® Brand 100% Natural Spring Water will be available at the start and at official fluid stations every mile beginning at mile 3.
Gatorade® G Series Pro Endurance Formula™ will be available at official fluid stations every mile beginning at mile 3 except at mile 17.
Fluids will be dispensed in recyclable cups. There will be tables on both sides of the course. To avoid the bottleneck at the first table, get a cup from a later table. Please keep moving after you pick up your cup.
The Poland Spring® Hydration Zone—including water stations, sponges, and music—will be located at mile 17 on First Avenue.
At the PowerBar Gel Energy Zone at mile 18, assorted flavored PowerBar Energy Gels will help you hurdle “the wall” and energize you to the finish.
Fruit will be available at the fluid stations at miles 20–23.
For your safety, take fluids and food only at official stations.
Toilets
Portable toilets (including wheelchair-accessible ones) will be located every mile beginning at mile 3.
Entertainment/Cheering Zones
More than 130 bands along the course will motivate and entertain runners and spectators alike. A special stage at Columbus Circle sponsored by United Airlines will provide inspiration for the final two-tenths of a mile, and there will be live entertainment at the finish line.
ING and other sponsors will host cheering zones along the course for spectators to root for the marathoners. Cheering zones will feature spectator amenities such as sign-making supplies, fun giveaways, and DJs. Details will be posted in late October.
Medical Aid
There will be medical aid stations on the course approximately every mile starting at mile 3 and at the finish. For help during and after the race, look for medical stations adjacent to each fluid station and sports medicine volunteers wearing red medical T-shirts.
Medical volunteers and supplies will be available at all aid stations. If you incur an injury or feel discomfort, stop at the nearest aid station. Most runners who seek medical attention are able to complete the race safely.
The NYRR medical team will be equipped with Philips Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in ambulances along the course and at post-finish medical tents to provide trained medical professionals with the tools they need in a life-threatening emergency.
Official Photographs and DVDs
brightroom will be taking your picture and capturing video footage before, during, and after the marathon. For identification purposes, please keep your race number in clear view.
Sweep Bus and Street Openings
Sweep buses will follow the marathon route at a 61/2-hour marathon pace, roughly 15 minutes per mile, after the 10:40 a.m. start. These buses will transport any entrant who wishes to drop out to the post-finish area.
After the sweep buses pass by, the city streets will reopen to traffic. Cross-street protection, medical assistance, aid stations, and other services will no longer be available. Runners on the course should move onto the sidewalks. The official ending time of the race is 7:00 p.m.
Dropping Out
If you need to drop out, look for a volunteer ham radio operator wearing an orange hat or report to a medical aid station, where ham radio operators are also stationed. Ham radio operators will take your name and forward the information to the information kiosks at the finisher area. Let your family and friends know beforehand that they should check the information kiosks if they are unsure of your whereabouts. Make sure your family knows your race number.
If you have not completed the course, do not cross the finish line, or you will be disqualified and barred from future ING New York City Marathons. Instead, enter Central Park at West 72nd Street after 7:00 p.m. to claim your baggage. Baggage is also available for pickup Monday morning starting at 8:00 a.m..
