Marathons in New York

From the TCS New York City Marathon — the largest on earth — to fast upstate BQ hunts like the Wineglass and Mohawk Hudson River marathons, sorted by date. Each race below shows a live countdown, field size and course profile.

Updated 2026-07-13 Sorted by race date. Field sizes and course data are checked against each race's official source.

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California 14 Ohio 5 Texas 5 Colorado 4 Hawaii 4 New York 4 Pennsylvania 4 Utah 4 Michigan 3 North Carolina 3 Virginia 3 Wisconsin 3

About marathons in New York

Two seasons, two characters. Autumn is the heart of it: the TCS New York City Marathon rolls through all five boroughs on the first Sunday of November, built for the experience over the clock, while October brings fast upstate BQ hunts — the net-downhill Wineglass from Bath to Corning, then the flat, bike-path Mohawk Hudson River a week later. Late-May's Buffalo Marathon opens a separate spring window by Lake Erie.

Choosing one. The city means a competitive lottery (plus charity and time-qualifier routes); the upstate races take straightforward online entries that fill closer to race day. Either way, weather decides the morning — cool and crisp, but upstate can turn cold or wet, so pack layers for the start line. Chasing a Boston time? Check your target with the Boston Qualifying calculator and see how the upstate courses stack up in the BQ race guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest marathon in New York?

The TCS New York City Marathon is by far the largest, with a field of roughly 59,000 runners crossing all five boroughs on the first Sunday of November. It is the biggest marathon in the world, and most general-entry runners get in through its drawing rather than guaranteed registration.

Which New York marathon is best for a Boston qualifier or a PR?

Look upstate, not at the city. The Wineglass Marathon in Corning is a point-to-point net-downhill course (within Boston's net-drop standard) that is one of the more popular BQ-chasing races in the country. The Mohawk Hudson River Marathon near Albany is flat and fast, run largely on riverside bike path, and is another long-standing favourite for fast times. The NYC course, by contrast, is rolling and bridge-heavy and is chosen for the experience, not the clock.

When is marathon season in New York?

The main window is the fall. The Wineglass Marathon runs in early October and the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon about a week later in mid-October, both timed for cool, crisp racing weather. The TCS New York City Marathon follows on the first Sunday of November. The Buffalo Marathon over the late-May Memorial Day weekend is the main spring option.

How do you get into the New York City Marathon?

For 2026, the non-guaranteed general entry drawing was open February 4–25, with the drawing held in early March; NYRR reported a record 240,000-plus applications, pushing acceptance odds down to roughly 1% — the lowest ever. Beyond the drawing, you can secure a spot through a charity-fundraising bib, a time-qualifier standard, the 9+1 NYRR member program, or a guaranteed tour package. Upstate races like Wineglass and Mohawk Hudson skip the lottery entirely — they are first-come online entries.

Which New York marathon is best for a first-timer?

The Buffalo Marathon over late-May's Memorial Day weekend is the friendliest debut: a largely flat loop past Delaware Park and the Lake Erie waterfront with strong on-course support and plenty of mid-pack company. The TCS New York City Marathon is also beginner-doable for its atmosphere and crowd support, though its rolling, bridge-heavy course and competitive entry make it a harder first race to get into.

Are there New York marathons in October?

Yes — October is the busiest month upstate. The Wineglass Marathon runs in early October and the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon about a week later in mid-October, both fast BQ-friendly courses timed for cool weather. The TCS New York City Marathon then follows on the first Sunday of November.