For 50 years of the NYC Marathon, they sure know how to host a race! I have run this twice now and both times I had a superb experience. This past year, in 2021, due to COVID the expo was smaller however there were still a good bit of vendors and things to explore. New Balance always has a HUGE store set-up so definitely save up some money to buy some gear to commemorate the race. NYRR has it down to a science for getting to the start village a dividing up runners. They provide transportation, as well as you are able to get there on your own if you wish. I typically take the bus from Manhattan however they also have buses coming from Jersey, and ferry transportation to Staten Island.

The views of the course are the BEST! It's truly the best way to get a tour of NYC; especially getting to run through all 5 boroughs. In the past I brought along headphones, however, I never used them as the course support, cheers, and music are nonstop and there is so much to take in as your run. Now NYC is supposedly the hilliest of the World Marathon Majors so take that into account when training. The real killers are the bridges as they provide alot of the elevation gain. There are plenty of aid stations and bathrooms throughout the course so you will be well hydrated along your way.

All in all, enjoy the race!