Why the NYC Marathon Is a Bucket List Race for Runners Worldwide

 If you’re a long-distance runner, chances are the New York City Marathon has crossed your mind more than once. As one of the World Marathon Majors, this race is more than just a 42.195 km route — it’s a full-blown celebration of endurance, energy, and everything that makes NYC electric.

Starting from the small borough of Staten Island and finishing in the iconic Central Park, this course takes you through five boroughs, five bridges, and countless blocks of cheering crowds. Over 50,000 runners take part each year, with over 2 million people lining the streets to cheer. The roar of the crowd as you run up First Avenue or across the Queensboro Bridge is unlike anything else.

What stood out to me the most? The course isn’t just scenic — it’s emotionally charged. From the moment you step onto the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, you feel it: the quiet before the chaos, the shared anticipation, and that sense of “we’re doing this together.” There’s a reason people call it the best first marathon in the world.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just soaking in the atmosphere, the NYC Marathon is known for being beginner-friendly. With five wave starts and generous cutoff times, there’s plenty of room to go at your own pace.

Packing-wise, I kept it light with my 20L extend backpack — compact enough for pre-race commuting and just roomy enough to fit my essentials: hydration, warm layers, a change of clothes, and that all-important race bib folder. Lightweight, expandable, and designed to move — it’s now my go-to for race weekends.

If you're lucky enough to secure a spot for 2025, soak it all in. The start, the bridges, the boroughs, and that final stretch through Central Park? You’ll never forget it.

👉 Explore the backpack that carried me through the weekend →