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A Look Back at NYC’s Biggest Marathon

Words by NYCtourism.com Staff, Photographs by Andrew Lichtenstein 3/14/2025

On November 3, 2024, more than 55,000 runners took to the streets for the TCS New York City Marathon, making it the largest marathon ever. Some 2 million spectators lined the streets, turning sidewalks into impromptu block parties along popular watch zones like First Avenue in Upper Manhattan and much of Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

First held in 1970 with just 127 participants running loops in Central Park, the marathon has grown to welcome elite runners, celebrities and thousands of others. They get a special vantage on all five boroughs, going from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the last damn bridge (Madison Avenue) before crossing the finish line in Central Park to thunderous cheers.

But the experience is about more than just the race. Marathon Sunday is a citywide celebration with live bands, homemade signs and spectators handing out everything from orange slices to tissues. Check out unforgettable moments from last year’s race day in our gallery below.

A group of enthusiastic spectators cheer at a marathon. One person waves a flag, and another holds a megaphone. There are autumn trees and buildings in the background.

Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Members of the Define New York Run Club, based in Fort Greene, cheer for runners on Lafayette Avenue. “We make sure to cheer for all 50,000 runners, not just the many members of the club who pass by!”

Silhouetted runners pass in front of a large brick church with white trim, featuring a tall steeple. The sky is clear, highlighting the building's gothic architectural style.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Marathoners run past St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

A person in a gray sweater and orange beanie plays a trumpet energetically, raising one fist. They are part of a vibrant band performance, with other musicians playing various brass and woodwind instruments. Autumn trees and a fence are in the background.

Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn

A music teacher at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School Band plays the trumpet on the sidelines.

Two people smiling while holding party blowers. One holds a bottle of kombucha. They stand outside, dressed in jackets, with one wearing a hat. A flower shop is faintly visible in the background.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Spectators use noisemakers to cheer on the runners.

People cheer on runners in a city marathon. Two individuals hold signs. The street is filled with runners, and urban buildings are visible in the background.

Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn

New Yorkers and visitors root on strangers while waiting for their loved ones to pass.

A man wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a white tank top is dancing in the street during an outdoor event. People are walking or standing around him on both sides, and shops are visible in the background. The atmosphere is lively and festive.

Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn

“I always dance. It is free magical energy. Just like this marathon.”

A person joyfully cheers on a street, mouth wide open in excitement. They're surrounded by others, including someone holding a large face cutout. Trees with autumn leaves are in the background.

Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Friends from Harvard's graduating class of 2017 wait for former classmate Deniz Cataltepe, a children's doctor running in honor of her late brother, who passed two years prior.

A woman in a yellow shirt cheers with excitement among a crowd of runners. Other spectators are visible, and rows of buildings line both sides of the sunny street. Confetti is scattered on the ground.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

“This is one day that unites us all in this crazy, crazy town," says a spectator in Greenpoint. "I was always a hater, because it makes the traffic so terrible, but this year I embraced the marathon. I get it!”

A group of excited people stand behind a barrier on a city street, cheering and holding signs. One person waves a Mexican flag. The scene suggests they are supporting marathon runners passing by. Brick buildings and trees line the street.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

“We live right here, on the block," says the woman holding the Mexican flag. "This is our favorite day in New York. It makes the rent worth it!"

Two women cheer on a marathon. One wears a bright yellow shirt and uses a megaphone. The other, wearing glasses and a black smiley face t-shirt, stands nearby smiling, with trees and a building in the background.

Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn

"This baby has to learn to cheer like a pro,” says expectant mother Haley, nine months along at the time of the race.

Two smiling women dressed in religious habits hold signs that read "PRAYING" and "FOR YOU!". They stand behind a metal barrier with scattered debris in the background.

First Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan

“We love watching the Marathon,” say members of the Sisters of Life religious community. “The whole city comes together. We wish it could be like this every day, everyone cheering for their neighbors.”

A person in a gray sweater stands holding several water bottles. They are smiling, with a mural and windows in the background.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

“It's only 1:30pm and we’ve given out 240 water bottles. We bought the water with our own money. The cashier saw what we were doing, and she bought a carton of bottles too for us to hand out.”

Two people standing behind a "Police Line - Do Not Cross" tape hold oversized cat face cutouts in front of their faces. The background shows trees, a fence, and buildings under clear skies.

Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn

Local cats Steven and Hot Fudge enlisted human stand-ins to cheer for their cat parent.

Runners participate in a marathon on a tree-lined street with brick buildings. The scene is bustling with diverse participants in athletic wear, some wearing sunglasses and hats. The street is shaded by trees, and a clear sky is visible above.

Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn

Runners zip through Fort Greene's shady, tree-lined streets.