1 · The short answer

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is on Sunday 1 November, the 50th running of the five-borough course. The race starts on Staten Island at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, runs through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, and finishes in Central Park. It is held on the first Sunday of November every year.

On race weekend your phone handles the runner tracker, the subway, meeting points and the long wait at the start. Ringo Light's United States plan covers New York and the rest of the country with unlimited data at full speed; it arrives by email and installs in one scan.

Dates: Sunday 1 November 2026, the 50th running of the five-borough course; the race is held on the first Sunday of November. Organiser's page

Ringo Light's United States plan covers the whole of United States: unlimited data at full speed, 2 weeks for $17.99 or 30 days for $22.99, nothing renews. The plan is at ringoesim.com/usa, and every brand's price for Las Vegas is compared on one day in Best eSIM for Las Vegas.

Get Ringo Light for New York, from $17.99.

Installed once, next to your own SIM. Your eSIM arrives by email in seconds.

Loading plans for this destination.

We sell data eSIMs for now to fund the full Ringo service. Ringo is self funded. Every plan bought here pays for the build of one plan that works everywhere.

2 · Getting to the start on Staten Island

Runners choose a transport option to the start when they register: the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall in Lower Manhattan followed by a bus, or official buses from Midtown. Either way, you leave very early and wait in the start village for a few hours. Bring warm throwaway layers; they are collected for charity.

Spectators use the subway to reach the course. Pay with a contactless card or phone wallet at the OMNY readers. Popular spots are Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, First Avenue in Manhattan after the Queensboro Bridge, and Fifth Avenue near Central Park.

3 · Entry, tracking and the official app

  • ✓Getting a place. Entry is through the NYRR drawing, qualifying times, the 9+1 programme for New York runners, charity places and international tour operators.
  • ✓The official app. The TCS New York City Marathon app tracks runners live, with predicted times at each mile so you can be at the right corner.
  • ✓Bib pickup. Runners collect their bib in person at the expo in the days before the race. Keep your registration confirmation on your phone.
  • ✓Family reunion. After the finish, runners walk out of Central Park to the family reunion area. Agree a letter or street corner in advance.

4 · Signal in the crowds and at the finish

Crowds line almost the whole course, and in the busiest stretches, First Avenue and the last miles in Central Park, everyone checks the tracker at once. Data slows and video calls drop. Refresh before your runner is due, then put the phone away.

At the start village, tens of thousands of runners wait with their phones for hours. Download music or podcasts before you leave the hotel and keep your battery for the race.

5 · New York around the race

Marathon week is a great time for New York. The Staten Island Ferry is a free ride past the Statue of Liberty any day of the week. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge, spend a recovery morning in Central Park, and see the city from the High Line or a rooftop.

6 · Around the New York City Marathon

Five boroughs on race day, and the whole city for your recovery days.

Staten Island Ferry, Whitehall Terminal to St George
Whitehall Terminal to St GeorgeStaten Island FerryThe free ferry many runners take to the start, with views of Lower Manhattan.✓On race morning, follow the time on your official transport confirmation.Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0
Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn
Lower Manhattan to BrooklynBrooklyn BridgeNot on the course, but the classic walk on a rest day.✓Go early to avoid the crowds.Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0
Central Park, Manhattan
ManhattanCentral ParkThe last miles and the finish line, and a gentle recovery walk on Monday.✓Save the family reunion meeting point offline before race day.Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0
Midtown Manhattan, Manhattan
ManhattanMidtown ManhattanHotels, the expo crowds and First Avenue's roar a few blocks east.✓Tap your phone wallet at the subway gates.Photo: VillageHero from Ulm, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0

7 · Frequently asked questions

When is the New York City Marathon 2026?+
Sunday 1 November 2026, the 50th running of the five-borough course. It is always on the first Sunday of November.
How do I track a runner in the NYC Marathon?+
Use the official TCS New York City Marathon app, which tracks runners live with predicted times at each mile.
How do runners get to the start?+
By the Staten Island Ferry plus a bus, or by official buses from Manhattan, chosen when registering.
Will my phone work along the course?+
It slows in the biggest crowds, especially on First Avenue and near the finish. Refresh the tracker before your runner is due.
Which Ringo Light plan covers the NYC Marathon?+
The United States plan covers New York and the rest of the country, with unlimited data at full speed.

8 · Sources

Read next: best esim for usa