New York City Marathon 2026 course to change in the Bronx for the first time in 15 years

To mark the 50th anniversary of its iconic five-borough course on Sunday, November 1, 2026, the New York City Marathon will make a small route adjustment. The targeted change comes between miles 20 and 21, with the needs of the local community taking priority.

A new turn for one of the world's most famous races. The TCS New York City Marathon will feature a course change in 2026, the first in 15 years. The highly localized adjustment affects the section through the Bronx between miles 20 and 21, roughly kilometers 32 to 34.

A more direct route with two fewer turns

Until now, after crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners followed a winding loop around East 140th Street before turning toward the Madison Avenue Bridge and heading back into Manhattan. This section featured seven closely spaced changes of direction.

From 2026, the route will flow more smoothly:

Take East 135th Street after crossing the bridge.
Turn right onto Alexander Avenue, then left onto East 141st Street.
Join Third Avenue, then turn right onto East 138th Street toward the Madison Avenue Bridge.

The result: the number of turns on this stretch drops from seven to five, giving runners a more direct line as they approach the 30-kilometer wall.

A change designed to maintain local access

While the adjustment should make the course marginally smoother for runners, speeding up the race was not the organizers' primary goal. New York Road Runners (NYRR) redesigned this stretch to address local concerns and make it easier for residents to get around during the event.

The old route cut off access to several essential local businesses, including a laundromat and a supermarket. Ted Metellus, NYRR's race director, said maintaining access to food retailers in the Bronx was central to discussions with residents and local authorities as the new course certification was finalized.

VIEW THE 2026 COURSE

All five boroughs remain on the course

This update does nothing to change the race's identity. The marathon will still take runners through all five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, before the traditional finish in Central Park. The 2026 edition will mark a symbolic milestone: 50 years of a route spanning the entire city, introduced in 1976 after the first six editions were held exclusively in Central Park.

The New York City Marathon course will remain virtually unchanged in 2026. Only one section in the Bronx is being modified, with two fewer turns and a more direct route before runners head back toward Manhattan.

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