I have run the New York City Marathon 43 times, starting in 1978. I know that first-timers have a lot of questions, and here I have put together some advice and information based on my 43 runs:

• First of all, ENJOY the race. It's a fantastic race with around 50,000 runners (56,012 starters / 55,638 finishers in 2024) and 2.5 million spectators. The crowds are really great, so are all the fantastic volunteers.
• In 2011 the entrants secured a spot in the race via these sources:
  • 14%: Lottery entrants. 8-10% of those entering the lottery were lucky (8.9% in 2019, only 2.3% in 2020, 12% in 2022, 5% in 2023).
  • 44%: Guaranteed entrants (including 9+1 (for people living in, or close to New York), 3 times not being picked in the lottery, qualified by time, completed 15+ NYC Marathons, sponsors, VIP).
  • 12%: People running for charity.
  • 30%: People buying a tour and licence from an ITO (International Travel Operator).
• The 2025 New York City Marathon will take place November 2, 2025, starting at the toll plaza, Ft. Wadsworth, Staten Island and ending at Tavern on the Green in Central Park, Manhattan. It will be the 54th New York City Marathon.
• For most of the runners the New York City Marthon is much more than a road race. It's about meeting people from all around the world, making new friends and having a great time. I have met people from all around the world who have become my lifelong friends. I have traveled all around USA, Canada and Australia to meet them. And several of them have visited me in Norway. I include two photos from 2016 to illustrate this. I call the one to the left "The Spirit of New York City Marathon". My good friend Lindsay from Canada caught me right after I left the Mile 18 aid station. She took my hand and gave me some inspirational words, and I did the same to her. And another friend, Rebecca, who volunteered at the aid station, was able to catch that moment. The photo to the right is from the day before the race where I met some of my friends from all around the world!
  Click on the photo to see a larger version.

 



• If you want to LISTEN to a lot of my best tips for New York City Marathon, an interview with me was published October 15, 2015 as a Podcast. You can get it on iTunes (search for "Running Lifestyle") or listen to it here.
  I was also interviewed on Fitbit in October 2021. You can listen to it here and other podcast platforms.
• Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You can contact me on Facebook (Runar B. Gundersen) or send an e-mail to runar.bg@gmail.com
• I would also like you to contact me if you have other advice that I should include in this document. It will gradually be updated :)
• If you would like to stay in touch with other New York City Marathon runners, find friends, exchange ideas, get advice, I have created my own Facebook Help Group. The name is "New York City Marathon 2024 Help Group". We are now moire than 16,000 members!



The link is New York City Marathon 2025 Help Group. It's a great group wit lots of support. Here is a photo from the Group Meeting in Central Park the day before the Marathon in 2023. About 400 members met for the meeting and a Gift Exchange!

It is a Closed group. That means that anyone can apply, but I have to accept it. Please apply if you are interested. WELCOME!


Group Button



Group meeting in Central Park



• At last: Good Luck with the New York City Marathon for all of you! You will have an experience that you will never forget :) And please talk to me if you see me in New York, in the city, at the Expo, on the way to Staten Island, at fort Wadsworth, during the Marathon or after the finish!