Photos from the 2026 NYC Marathon, from celebrity sightings to record-setting finishes
The 2026 New York City Marathon saw record participation with over 60,000 finishers across the five-borough course. The event highlighted the city's vibrant culture, celebrity involvement, and the logistical challenges of managing the world's largest marathon.
Why it matters
As the world's largest marathon, the event serves as a major cultural and economic touchstone for New York City, reflecting trends in mass-participation sports.
More than 240,000 people applied for this year's drawing, and about 1% received a spot. Reuben Ingber/Business Insider The New York City Marathon, the world's largest marathon, took place on November 1. Over 60,000 runners finished the 26.2-mile-long race that weaves through all five boroughs. Several celebrities joined in on the race, including Casey Neistat, Jennifer Connelly, and more. New York City traded Halloween costumes and candy for running shoes and bibs as the five boroughs transformed into a racetrack for the city's annual marathon. The 26.2-mile race, which drew over 2 million spectators on November 1, is the world's biggest marathon. There are a handful of ways to get in, but probably the best-known is the lottery system. Runners apply in one of three pools: those who live within 60 miles of the city, US residents outside the metro area, and international applicants.
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