NEW YORK CITY — New York's NYC Marathon celebrates the 50th anniversary of its five-borough course on Sunday, with about 60,000 runners expected on the course and police saying they know of no specific, credible threats to the race.
The marathon began in 1970 as a race held entirely in Central Park. In 1976 the route moved to all five boroughs, according to Yahoo Sports.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said more than 2 million spectators are also expected along the route, according to ABC7 New York.
Heavy security along the 26.2-mile route
The NYPD will deploy thousands of officers along the course, ABC7 reported. Tisch said:
"At this time, there are no known specific, credible threats to this year's marathon."
Security measures include hundreds of blocker vehicles, more than 10,000 metal barricades, helicopters and drones, according to ABC7. Bags will be inspected in Central Park viewing areas, and the public is banned from flying drones.
Start time and road closures
The race begins at 8 a.m. on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 1, ABC7 reported. Runners cover 26.2 miles through five boroughs and finish in Central Park.
The bridge's upper level closes at 11 p.m. Saturday, and the lower level closes at 7 a.m. Sunday, according to the same report.
Defending champions return to the elite field
Kenya's Benson Kipruto and Hellen Obiri return as defending champions, according to Yahoo Sports, citing The Independent. Obiri set the women's course record of 2:19:51 in 2025.
The men's course record is 2:04:58, set by Tamirat Tola in 2023. Yahoo Sports reported that a course record in the open division earns a $50,000 bonus, and that the open-division winner receives $100,000.
What to watch Sunday
Runners and spectators should expect closures along the route and bag checks at Central Park viewing areas. The race starts at 8 a.m. Eastern, according to ABC7. Results will be known only after the race is run on Sunday.
