When he is not driving operations as the owner of 9Seven Consulting in Hudson, Wisconsin, Thomas Datwyler enjoys traveling and running in the world’s most well-known marathons. In addition to qualifying for and completing the Boston Marathon three times, Thomas Datwyler has completed numerous international marathons, such as the London Marathon and Tokyo Marathon. He has also other completed major races in the US, including the New York City Marathon.
New York Road Runners established the first New York City Marathon, which took place on September 13, 1970. Operating with a budget of just $1,000, the event welcomed 127 registered runners, with 55 finishers. The race grew rapidly, establishing itself as the United States women’s championship for marathon runners in 1975. The following year, as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebrations, race organizers adjusted the route so that the marathon passed through each of the city’s five boroughs.
In 1981, ABC aired the New York City Marathon on television for the first time. By the end of the decade, nearly 24,700 runners were completing the race each year. The 1990s featured several of the event’s most memorable moments, from Fred Lebow completing the race in 1992 while in remission from brain cancer to Mexico’s Germán Silva winning the 1994 race despite taking a wrong turn with just half a mile to go.
In 2025, the New York City Marathon set a new record with more than 59,000 finishers, including all-time highs for men, women, and nonbinary racers. The race saw Hellen Obiri set a new women’s open division course record, Marcel Hug win the men’s wheelchair division for a record-extending seventh time, and Benson Kipruto outlast Alexander Mutiso in the closest finish in the race’s history.
Runners who want to participate in the New York City Marathon must first qualify for the event in their division, though the race provides several alternative routes to participation, including charity fundraising, a lottery system, and the 9+1 program (the latter of which only applies to local runners). Out-of-town runners should appreciate how chaotic the race can be in the big city and carefully plan out their day (which, for many athletes, begins with a 6:00 a.m. ferry ride to Staten Island).
For athletes who make it to the start line at the New York City Marathon, understanding the sprawling nature of the course can improve their chances of finishing the race and potentially setting a new personal best marathon time. Mental preparation is important for every marathon, but this is especially true in NYC. Because of the large field, runners are separated into various corrals near the starting line. Even after a person has reached their corral, they may still need to wait quite a while before their race begins. It is important not to burn too much energy on nerves and anxiety during this waiting period.
Runners should also prepare for the marathon’s hills. The New York City Marathon gains 810 feet of elevation from start to finish, with many short hills and steep drops throughout, including a considerable decline near the beginning of the race. The very start of the race opens on a bridge with a 4 percent incline, so individuals should consider taking the first mile at a relatively slow pace so as not to burn too much energy early on.
Similarly, inexperienced racers must manage their emotions as they hit the heart of the race between miles three and 15. The New York City Marathon attracts huge crowds, and while these people can provide a much-needed morale boost, runners should avoid getting carried away and breaking from their preferred pace.
Miles 16 through 20 involve a significant stretch of downhill running along straightaways, allowing athletes to fall into a comfortable pace. However, runners should remember that the final stretch of the New York City Marathon consists of several challenging climbs, including an almost entirely uphill run between miles 23 and 24, so it is important to conserve some energy for the final push over the finish line.
