How to Spectate the NYC Marathon

Farah Visslailli
Oct 26
5 min read

Updated: Oct 26

If there is one thing that we, the NYC Running Community can all agree on, it is that Marathon Sunday is without a doubt the best day of the year. It’s certainly our favorite holiday. The energy in the city is palpable. Let me tell you, marathon spectators know how to throw down (see: Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, AKA Mile 8.5 AKA the best block party I’ve ever been to).

I’ve logged many miles on the course during that first Sunday in November – dancing in the streets counts as miles, I assure you - so I want to share what I’ve learned as a spectator. And runners, there’s a little something in here for you, too.

Location Location Location. Plan in advance where you’ll be cheering. One spot on the course? A few stops along the way? Take a look at the race course map and plan your transportation in advance. Communicate with your runners ahead of time where you will be, including, which side of the street you’ll be on. This is especially important if you’re spectating during the first 8 miles, when runners are split between sides of 4th Avenue. Athletes with orange bibs will be on the left side of 4th Avenue, and runners with blue and pink bibs will be on the right side. Find out what color bib your runner has, and plan accordingly. Hitting multiple spots on race day? mta.info will be your BFF – trains are never doing what they’re supposed to on weekends, and NYC Marathon weekend is no exception.
Say My Name: Runners, put your name on the FRONT of your shirt. Trust me, it’s worth the trouble. It makes a big difference when the cheering is personal. Spectators, if you see a name on a shirt, say it loud and say it proud, whether or not you know the runner.
What Not To Wear: Runners, share with your fans what you’ll be wearing for the race. I suggest laying out all of your clothing the night before, snapping a photo, and sending it to friends and family or just throwing it up on your social media. It helps as a spectator when you know exactly what color or outfit to keep your eyes peeled for. Spectators, comfortable clothing is key on race day. Look up the weather beforehand, and dress in layers. It is a good idea to pack a hat, sunglasses and an extra pair of gloves and/or handwarmers in case it gets chilly.
Technology, friend or foe? Most marathons have an app to track your runners. Definitely DO use this - and also bring a battery pack for your phone. But, understand how the app works. Runners will likely run over timing mats every 5K or so, producing the data that is feeding into the app. In between each 5K, the app will estimate the runner’s location based on their last 5K pace; a lot can happen in 5K. Walls may be hit, or busted through – especially in those later miles. So remember a runner’s estimated location on the app will be most accurate right after one of these 5K checkpoints.
The Subway Trick: What if you end up on the wrong side of the street? I got you! Let me introduce the subway trick. Some subway stations in NYC are such that you have to go into a specific entrance depending on whether you are going uptown or downtown – but not all of them. Many larger subway stops are connected underground so you can go down one side of the street and come up the other without having to tap and pay the subway fare. This is a non-exhaustive list of subway stops that fit this bill:
- 59th Street and 4th Ave in Sunset Park, Brooklyn (~Mile 4)
- 36th Street and 4th Ave in Sunset Park, Brooklyn (~Mile 5.5)
- Atlantic Ave-Barclays Center, Brooklyn (Mile 8)
- Bedford-Nostrand Ave (G Train), Brooklyn (Mile 9)
- Bedford Avenue (L Train), Brooklyn (Mile 11.5)

*There might be more! Honestly, what happens in Queens always will be confusing to me as a Brooklynite, but hopefully this list is a good start.

Signage: Make some signs so that your runner can spot you. I recommend one side of the poster specific to your runner, and the other generic to cheer on the masses. The more creative the better, and bonus points if it’s a pun or relevant to the cultural zeitgeist.
Bring in the NOISE: Bring a cowbell, megaphone or other noisemaker. Twice as much fun, and your voice will thank you on Monday.
Be prepared to make sacrifices: especially if you’re tracking a lot of people and/or plan to hit multiple spots. If you have several friends running, they likely do not all run the same pace and/or are not in the same starting wave. Runners will start their NYC marathon journey anywhere from 9:10 AM to 11:30 AM and earlier if they’re using a handcycle, are an athlete with a disability, or you want to catch the pros. You may want to stick to one spot, or, decide which athlete you want to chase around the city, knowing that you may miss others.
Take care of yourself: Spectating the NYC Marathon is an endurance event. It’s going to be a long – but super fun – day, especially if done right. Come prepared with snacks (dare I say meals?), hydration and a bathroom spot in mind (or be prepared to use a portapotty). Bring cough drops - you’re going to be screaming. If you’re carrying a bag, bring items the runners may find useful: tissues, bandaids, tampons, pretzels (this has been a big hit for me in the past), salt packets, gummy candy. Or be the doughnut person! Everyone loves the doughnut person.
Exit strategy: Plan where you will find your runner post-race. It can be a nearby restaurant or bar, or at your runner's planned afterparty. Keep in mind that getting near the finish line, or the exit on Central Park West is difficult, if not impossible, in NYC. Study the finish area map. Also, be extra nice. Runners’ emotions tend to soar after such a big race, regardless of whether or not they hit any goals; their emotions can be good, bad, or ugly -- or a mix of all three.
Post-Race Fuel: Make reservations for post-race lunch or dinner before they get booked up, especially if you plan to go somewhere on the UWS.
Have Fun! Cheering is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy it and remember to spread as much positive energy as you can not just to “your” runners, but to all runners that day. They need it, deserve it, and will appreciate it.