New York City Marathon

Every year on the first Sunday of November, the New York City Marathon is held.

The Marathon

The New York City Marathon is held every year on the first Sunday of November. This year the marathon will be held on November 6th. Every year around 50,000 people participate. Obviously, lots of spectators come along, about two million! In New York, they see this as the biggest sporting event in the entire city. And along with the Chicago Marathon to America's biggest running events.

Other countries

Not only Americans join this marathon. There are about 10,000 people from other countries. However, these people cannot just participate. They must run for a charity, or they should have been drawn. To be able to be drawn, you must register. People are able to sign up until February 21. When someone tried to be drawn three times, they are invited the fourth time is automatically.

New Yorkers

It is not easy for a New Yorker to participate in the marathon. They must have first run nine championships before they get a chance to participate.

The game itself is connected to a time limit of eight and 30 minutes. By that time the race must have been run. Also, everyone must be 18 years of age to participate.

This marathon is held by the five boroughs of New York, namely: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan, and is 26 miles long (this is about 40 kilometres). On your way, you are encouraged by the public from all sides, which creates a great atmosphere.

The five boroughs (Boroughs):

The starting point of the marathon. From Staten Island, the trail runs the first mile across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The Verrazano Narrows Bridge contains no less than twelve lanes and has a span of three kilometres. Of course, the twelve lanes are not side by side. Six lanes upper and lower deck. In total there are 5 bridges.

Brooklyn

After the Verrazano Narrows Bridge you go down and walk the eleven miles across Brooklyn. When you arrive on 4th Avenue, on the right is Brookline's highest and most famous skyscraper; Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower. After that you cross over Queens across the second bridge; Pulaski Bridge.

Queens

The trail runs 2.5 miles through Queens until you have to cross the East River at the Queensboro Bridge. This bridge connects Long Island City with Manhattan. People who have walked or run the marathon more often indicate that climbing this bridge is experienced as the heaviest test of the entire marathon.

The Bronx

After the hard climb you come out on First Avenue. Here you will be encountered by countless spectators who help you to continue. From the distance you can see the huge skyscrapers providing a beautiful view. When you have walked about twenty miles you will arrive on the Willis Avenue Bridge. This bridge connects Manhattan with the Bronx. After the Bronx, you arrive via the Madison Avenue Bridge in Manhattan.

Manhattan

Once in Manhattan, you cross Fifth Avenue to Central Park. The trail runs through the park, followed by an area around which will eventually help to return to the park. Almost at the finish at 67th Street/Central Park West, the end is in sight; the Tavern on the Green restaurant.

Also attend the New York City Marathon? Ask your ESTA now.