START VILLAGES
When the buses drop you off, follow the line of runners to the Start Villages. You may be scanned with a wand and your bag will be searched by security before being allowed into the Start Village / Staging Areas. The only bag that you will be allowed to bring into the Staging areas are the clear plastic ones
that will be issued to you at the expo.
Your Start Village color is listed on your Registration Form and race bib (ie: Village Blue, Orange Wave 3 Corral E) .
Once you determine where you should be in the Start Village, you can take some time to eat, use the washrooms, drop your bag (if applicable), or just sit and relax. Each Start Village has the same setup.
WAVE STARTS
As there will be 55,000+ runners and to alleviate the strain of having everyone start at the same time, the TCS New York City Marathon will be run in waves.
You will each be assigned a Wave Start based on your estimated completion time. Wave Starts will be separated by about 25 minutes.
If you are wanting to run with someone else but are listed in different corrals, wave starts or Start Villages you may still run with them by moving into the higher corral between you and your friends. For example, if you’re in corral D and your friend is in corral K, you can move to corral K but they can’t move to corral D. And if you’re in wave 1 and your friend is in wave 4, you can move back to wave 4 but they can’t move up to wave 1.
Do NOT email/phone the NYRR and request a wave or corral change. If it’s absolutely necessary to have this changed (you are a sub 3 hour runner and are seated in the last wave, for example), ask at the Runner’s Help Desk/Solution Desk at the expo. If you want to run with a friend, see above. You do not need to change waves or corrals for this.
HOW TO FIND SOMEONE AT THE START AREA
Unless text your location, it will be very difficult to find someone at the Start Area so it is highly recommended you travel together. Set this up before you indicate what form of transportation and time you wish to choose.
Click here for more information on Staging / Start Villages, as well as a map.
THE COURSE
Click here for extensive information on the race course, as well as a map.
THE FINISH AREA
Click here for extensive information regarding the finish area, including where to go if you’ve chosen either the baggage option or the poncho (no baggage option), and information regarding the Family Reunion area.
PERSONALIZE YOUR SHIRT
Are you interested in having New Yorkers personalize your run? Write your name on your race shirt (or masking tape) in large letters across your chest and people will call out to you and encourage you as you run!
FOOD/SHOPPING
Restaurant Row – W46th Street between 8 and 9th Avenue.
Best NY cheesecake – Juniors. Multiple locations.
Best Bakery – Magnolia, famous for their banana pudding. Multiple locations.
Great shopping – Century 21 department store (there is a giant one located at 22 Cortlandt Street) or down at Canal Street
High end shopping – 5th Avenue between 39th and 60th Street
SPECTATORS
There are many great spots to watch the marathon, but the liveliest would be along 5th Avenue or near the finish line. Grand stand seat tickets will be available at www.nyrr.org or you can watch for free about 300m shy of the finish line in Central Park.
There will be a Friends and Family gathering area for runners after runners exit the park. More information can be found here
GETTING BACK TO THE HOTELS POST MARATHON
Each hotel is walking distance from the finish area, however, you may take public transportation if you want, but there is no group transportation.