What would you say if we told you that you could run a marathon without ever leaving New York City? That’s exactly what happened last year when a group of runners ran across the city from Staten Island to Brooklyn. They did it in less than 24 hours.
You probably don’t want to leave the Big Apple unless you have to.
The city has some of the best restaurants, museums, parks, and shopping malls around. Plus, it’s home to some of the biggest landmarks in the country, such as Times Square and Central Park.
But if you really want to get out of town, you can always take advantage of the city’s public transportation system.
If you’re looking for something to do, check out these top things to see and do in NYC.
New York City Marathons
If there is one thing that New Yorkers are known for, it’s their passion for sports. Every weekend, people flock to the city’s many ballparks, arenas, and stadiums to cheer on their favorite teams.
One of the most popular spectator sports in the city is running. Some runners compete at elite levels, while others just like to train hard in hopes of qualifying for a race.
There are also several marathons held throughout the city each year.
The New York City Marathon was first held back in 1970. It started off with 6,000 participants but now attracts more than 30,000 athletes every fall.
This is the largest mass-participation marathon in the world.
The course starts near the southern tip of Manhattan and winds through all five boroughs before finishing near Central Park. Runners cover about 26 miles during the grueling event.
Runners start at 7:00 am in front of the Stonewall Inn, which is located in Greenwich Village. From there, they head east along Christopher Street toward the Hudson River.
After crossing the river, they turn north onto Canal Street and then west onto Broadway.
They continue west until they reach West 4th Street, where they turn south. At this point, they follow 8th Avenue until reaching Washington Square Park.
Here, they turn north again and cross Bleecker Street into Soho.
They continue north until they reach Prince Street, after which they turn east and finish by following Lafayette Street back to Central Park.
There are lots of other races held in New York City too. For example, the Marine Corps Marathon takes place each spring in Brooklyn.
And the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon series has events in Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Marine Corps Marathon
The Marine Corps Marathon is an annual marathon held every year in Washington, DC, and Arlington, VA.
The race attracts over 30,000 participants annually. It is the 4th largest marathon in the US and the 9th largest in the World.
The mission of the race is to promote physical fitness and showcase the organizational skills and abilities of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The race is open to all runners aged 14 and older. The race is free and does not offer any monetary prizes. The celebration of Veterans Day begins on November 11 every year.
A Marine colonel named Jim Fowler wanted to create a marathon for the USMC. He believed running marathons could help recruit new Marines.
Additionally, he thought it was a great way to raise funds for charity. A general embraced the idea of a Marine Marathon and submitted it to the commandant of the Marines.
Gunnery sergeant Alex Breckenridge helps promote the event.
The Local jurisdictions approved of the event. Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorff supports the event.
Marathon organizers examined the course for the 1977 MCM and secured a permit to run through Washington, DC.
The new route laid the foundation for the scenic course as we know it today, starting in Arlington, VA, winding its way around major landmarks in the nation’s capital, and returning for the traditional finish at the Marine Corps war memorial.
With changes to the race and a surge of positive press from the first running, 1978 MCM drew a field of 2,655 runners.
The MCM was created as a means to promote physical fitness among Marines. A significant portion of the MCM proceeds goes towards charity work.
The Marine Corps Marathon is recognized for the impeccable organization of a scenic course managed by the U.S. Marines in Arlington, Virginia, and the nation’s capital.
Recognized for being one of the largest marathons in the United States and the world, the MCM is known as ‘The Best Marathon For Beginners.’
The MCM is the largest race without prize money, making it a great place for first-time runners to participate.
What Does The Marine Corps Marathon Fundraise?
All MCM fundraisers receive Team In Training event day jerseys, professional fundraising support, connections to an experienced coach, personalized training support, and a guaranteed race entry. Fundraising commitments start at $1,200.
You can continue raising money after securing your own race entry through our online fundraiser. Your commitment will unlock additional fundraising incentives and recognition.
Brooklyn Marathons
A 10K run in Brooklyn is held every year. There are 5,000 runners participating in the race.
Each runner must be fully vaccinated before participating. Check out the NYC Runners website for more information about the race.
This race is part of the NYC Runners Union (NYCRUNS) Challenge. You must complete the in-person NYCRUNS Central Park Half Marathon & 10K Queen’s Half Marathon & 5K and receive an awesome medal holder to show off!
The iconic new route starts in Brooklyn and winds around the water. It takes you under the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge.
You’ll see stunning views of New York City from the bridges. The route goes up Fulton St. and down flat Bush Ave.
You’ll pass by Grand Army Plaza, and then go through historic brownstones. You’ll stop at the finish line at Prospect Park.
There are five loops around Manhattan, starting and finishing at Central Park. Each loop takes runners past some of the most famous landmarks in the city.
How Do I Train For The Brooklyn Marathon?
The official marathon training program will help you win your race. You’ll lose the one-size-fits-all PDFs and let us help you start the year off right.
They customize the program based on your past performance, your racing goals, and your schedule.
The core program will be fully automated, while the training plus option includes remote coaching via email.
With this app you get custom training programs that will incorporate various types of workouts including intervals, hills, tempos, and long runs as well as easy runs and days off.
You’ll also be able to log your miles manually, or via MapMyRun and Garmin Connect.
You’ll also be provided with other training content such as cross-training, strength training and nutritional guidance.
Manhattan Marathons
A man named Oliver Wilkinson swam the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim in 1994. He finished it in 5 hours, 44 minutes, and 2 seconds.
Now, this is a bit different from the usual marathons held in New York, but this swimming marathon has some iconic history and is still a standard and well-organized marathon for swimmers in New York or from all around the globe to attend!
Jim Clifford completed the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and is the oldest person ever to complete the triple crown of open water swimming at the age of 63.
The Manhattan Island marathon swimming or MIMS was once one of the world’s top marathons and is now conducted as a 20 bridge swim.
Its highly sought-after entries are coveted by marathon swimmers and Channel swimmers around the world.
As one of the World’s Top 100 Open Water Swamps, the incredibly popular 45.9 km circumnavigation swim around Manhattan Island in New York City never fails to challenge and entice its competitors.
It is part of the triple crown of open water swimming and organized by the NY Swim and sometimes conducts quiet swims.
The Manhattan Island Marathon Swim is one of the most challenging open water swims in the world. It is ranked as one of the top 100 open water swims in America.
Staten Island Marathons
This race is held in April and the registration usually closes in March. The race begins at 8:30 AM ET. There will be two races, one for men and women.
The course will go around Staten Island including South Beach, Great Kills Park, and Stapleton. The race will end at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
In 2020, the NYC Half Marathon was held in Staten Island. It is a race dedicated to making a difference in the borough that hosts the starting line of the TCS New York City Marathon.
Scheduled 3 weeks before the TCS NYC marathon, the Staten Island half-marathon is a great tune-up for the NYC marathon and features fantastic views of New York harbor and the Verrazano bridge.
The Staten Island half-marathon is a race that celebrates what makes Staten Island unique, inspiring, and amazing.
Experience all that Staten Island has to offer while you’re in town for this event! The Staten Island half-marathon is held just a few weeks before NYC’s marathon.
This race starts in Staten Island and ends in Brooklyn. It covers a lot of ground, including some beautiful scenery.
Why Is The New York City Marathon So Popular?
The NYC marathon is one of America’s most famous races. You start off by running through Central Park, then you run along the Hudson River, and finally, you run across the finish line in Manhattan.
It is most likely such a popular race because New York is a very popular city in America, it’s the most widely known and therefore will for obvious reasons have the most people attending out of any other marathon.
Final Thoughts
If you want to participate in an awesome race with a lot of history and tradition, then the NYC marathon is probably not for you.
However, if you are looking for something more casual, fun, and fast-paced than the Staten Island marathon, then the NYC marathon might be right for you.
Both marathons are well worth trying out, but I would say that the Staten Island marathon is definitely more relaxed and less competitive.
If you are looking for a race where you can enjoy yourself and relax, then the Staten Island marathon is perfect for you.
We hope this helps you decide which marathon is better for you. Good luck! You should try both. They are different experiences. The Staten Island marathon is a good choice for those who like to run in a scenic environment.
The NYC marathon is a great option for those who prefer shorter distances and don’t mind crowds. Our personal preference is the Staten Island Half Marathon.
We think it is a much more enjoyable experience. Also, the Staten Island half-marathon is much easier than the NYC marathon.
So, if you are new to running, the Staten Island half is a great way to get started.
The Staten Island marathon is a great opportunity to see New York from a different perspective. There is no doubt about it; the view from the Verrazano Bridge is spectacular.
And, there are plenty of places to stop and take pictures.
The Staten Island half-marathon also gives runners the chance to explore the borough they live in. For example, runners can visit the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island.
These sites are especially interesting during the holiday season, when they are decorated for Christmas.
For the first year, I wallowed in my feelings and gained 50 pounds as a result. The next year, with the help of a professional or two, I began working on myself and seeing changes.
Surprisingly enough, I found running to be my main source of comfort in such a trying time. I began running once a day for five minutes, working up to 10, then 20, 30, 40 - until I was running for an hour each morning.
Running started my day off right and on the days where I ran, I found that I was more likely to excel in work and have a better day mentally.
So, that is why I have created Run In The Sun. I want to make your running journey as easy as possible so that you can feel these benefits too. I promise you, it will be so worth it!
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