Why the NYC Marathon Is the Dream Race for Runners Worldwide
Every runner has that one race on their bucket list. For many, it’s New York. Not just because it’s part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, but because it’s a celebration of movement, energy, and the unmatched pulse of a city that never stops.
This past November, I found myself at the start line on Staten Island, surrounded by tens of thousands of runners from every corner of the world. The crowd felt like a festival—costumes, cheers, cowbells, flags, nervous laughter. There’s nothing quite like the moment the cannon fires and you cross the Verrazzano Bridge with the skyline ahead and the sea below.
Over 26.2 miles, the course becomes a moving documentary of New York. You pass through five boroughs—each one with a distinct character, music style, and accent. From the quiet pride of Queens to the Latin beats of the Bronx and the wild roar of First Avenue in Manhattan, the city doesn’t just cheer you on—it lifts you. For blocks at a time, you forget you’re even running.
The logistics are impressive. With five wave starts and 50,000+ runners, the organization is razor-sharp. I started in Wave 2 at 9:40am and was still passing new runners well into Central Park. The course is wide, the signage clear, and the energy constant.
If you’re aiming for your first big marathon, New York is welcoming but not easy. The bridges will test you. The Fifth Avenue incline before the park will humble you. But every painful step dissolves the moment you turn into Central Park South. The crowd noise hits a new pitch, and the finish line suddenly feels like home.
On a practical note: a 20L extend backpack turned out to be the perfect companion for this trip. It fit my layers for the early-morning ferry, fuel, and recovery gear without adding bulk. Lightweight and city-proof, it handled subway squeezes and finish-line chaos without complaint.
There are faster courses. Maybe even prettier ones. But for me? The NYC Marathon is a love letter to why we run at all. Not just to cross a finish line—but to feel connected, alive, and a little bit invincible.
👉 Click here for my 20L extend backpack
