PREDICTPACE
← Back to predictor
New York City Marathon

Course guide & time predictor

New York City Marathon

New York, NY

Five boroughs, five bridges, one brutal course

Elevation gain

1,400 ft

Course difficulty

3.8% slower than Berlin

Race month

November

See how your time translates to New York City Marathon

Enter a time from any other marathon to compare.

Compare coursesPredict from a race

About the race

The world's largest marathon. Five boroughs, five bridges, 1,400 feet of total elevation gain — the most of any World Marathon Major. NYC is the hardest major on the circuit and routinely produces times 3–4% slower than equivalent flat-course performances. It is also the loudest, most electric, most memorable 26.2 miles in the sport.

Course profile

The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge climbs 180 feet in the first mile before you're warmed up. The Queensboro Bridge at mile 15 is a silent, crowd-free climb into Manhattan that breaks runners who didn't hold back in the first half. First Avenue is a trap: the crowds are electric and you'll want to surge. Don't. The Bronx miles (22–23) feel like a wall. Central Park at mile 24 is rolling, not flat.

Race-day conditions

November first Sunday is 40–55°F — good racing weather. Wind on the bridges ranges from manageable to severe. A 20 mph headwind on the Verrazzano costs you real time. Check wind direction the day before and adjust your Queensboro bridge split accordingly.

Using the predictor

Expect to run 3.8% slower at NYC than an equivalent Chicago or Berlin performance — the largest adjustment of any World Major on this tool. On a 3:30 finish, that's 8 minutes. Use Compare Courses before you build a pace plan so you're not chasing a number the course won't give you.

Common questions

How do I get into the NYC Marathon?

There are four main paths: the annual lottery (open to all, roughly 3% acceptance), the NYRR 9+1 program (volunteer 9 races + 1 volunteer shift in a calendar year), charity entry (fundraise a minimum amount for an official charity), and guaranteed entry for runners who have run 15+ New York Marathons or are international runners meeting certain criteria. The lottery opens in February.

Is NYC really that much harder than other marathons?

Yes. With 1,400 feet of cumulative elevation gain and five bridge crossings, NYC is the hardest of the six World Marathon Majors. This tool models it at 3.8% harder than Berlin. On a 3:30 finish, that's 8 minutes you cannot get back with fitness alone.

What is the hardest part of the NYC Marathon course?

Most runners point to the Queensboro Bridge at mile 15. It's a long, steady climb into Manhattan with no spectators — silent after miles of deafening crowd support. Runners who have been running on pace (rather than effort) often arrive at the Queensboro overextended, and the climb finishes them. Run by effort in the first half, not pace.

What is the NYC Marathon course record?

The men's course record is 2:05:06, set by Geoffrey Mutai in 2011 — aided by a strong tailwind that year, which is why it doesn't count as a world record. The women's course record is 2:22:31, set by Margaret Okayo in 2003. Elite performances vary significantly with wind conditions on the bridges.

Predict your New York City Marathon time

Other course guides

Boston MarathonChicago MarathonBerlin MarathonLondon MarathonMarine Corps MarathonCIM (California International)Tokyo MarathonHouston MarathonTwin Cities MarathonBig Sur International MarathonLos Angeles MarathonPhiladelphia MarathonParis Marathon