TCS New York City Marathon

The color palette for the best day of the year in New York City.🥳🗽🎨
 

GEORGE SPITZ: THE CONNECTOR 🤝
 
A political activist and passionate runner, Spitz played a critical role in connecting the worlds of running and city politics. Spitz embraced Corbitt’s vision and advocated for a special, citywide race worthy of the Big Apple to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial. He arranged the pivotal first meeting with Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton—a conversation that sparked the realization of the 5-boro course.
 
Behind the scenes, Spitz helped build the relationships and momentum necessary to move the marathon from a bold idea to a citywide event.
 
Thank you, George, for your relentless persistence in helping bring to life the 5-boro race. Send some love to George 💙💙💙 ⬇️.

A Bicentennial. A 5-boro race. A catalyst for athletes with disabilities.
 
The 1976 New York City Marathon was many things, but it served as the spark for disability inclusion in road racing—Dick Traum became the first known amputee athlete to run a marathon. He completed the race in 7:24.
 
From there, he devoted his life to helping people with disabilities compete in road races and other sporting events.
 
In 1983 he founded Achilles International, a global organization that transforms the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection.
 
In 2024, Dick Traum passed away at the age of 83. As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, send some love and thanks to Dick for his tireless work to create a more inclusive world for athletes with disabilities. ⬇️

Shalane Flanagan ended a 40-year drought for American women in the open division at the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon—and she let the world know exactly how she was feeling in the final 50 meters.

As we celebrate 50 years of the 5-boro race and count down to November 1, we're looking back at some of the most unforgettable moments in marathon history.

How did YOU feel seeing this iconic finish? ⬇️

And of course, happy birthday, Shalane! 🥳🎉

All roads lead to November 1.🥳🗽🏅📣🏁🏙️

What was your result?

TED CORBITT: THE VISIONARY. 🤔

As the first president of New York Road Runners from 1958–1960, a pioneer in long-distance running, and the first African American Olympic marathoner, Corbitt imagined a marathon that extended beyond Central Park and connected all five boroughs through the sport. At a time when the concept seemed improbable, he saw the potential for something bigger: a race that belonged to the entire city.

Known for his precision and innovation in course measurement, Corbitt ensured the new course measured an exact 26.2 miles—laying the groundwork for one of the most iconic routes in sports history.

Thank you, Ted, for all your contributions in bringing the marathon to the city streets.

What's your vision for the next 50 years of 5-boro racing? Let us know. ⬇️

Meet Jessica Tam.👏

Jessica’s journey with NYRR began in 2025, when she signed up for the RBC Brooklyn Half. She ran high school cross country years earlier, and stayed active since.

On race day, heat was a factor, and she found herself taking walk breaks during the last two miles. “But as I ran the final stretch, I thought, ‘I can do better next time.’ So, I ran all summer. Running showed me my new limits.”

That summer and beyond, Jessica continued running NYRR races—enough to complete the 9+1 program.

“I’m in my 30s, and I had a blast running 9+1 as a newbie. For 9 races, I showed up with a smile, rain or shine. Tracking my mile times tickled my brain, because I love analyzing metrics at work, and every month, I thought I could run a little further.”

Plus, as she points out, running is among the only sports where you’re encouraged to eat gummy bears in the middle of a workout.

“My experience with 9+1 went smoothly thanks to the NYRR coaches I ran with during the summer. They taught me better warm-ups, how to tempo run, and to trust that tapering works. Thank you, Coach Lakeisha and Coach Kev!”

Before the bridges closed. Before millions cheered in the streets of New York City. Before the marathon became the world’s biggest stage for running. There were five trailblazers who believed a race could unite an entire city.

They were visionaries. Builders. Connectors. Believers. The people who turned an impossible idea into a global tradition, emulated in major cities around the world.

In 1976, their vision transformed the New York City Marathon from a local race confined to Central Park into a 26.2-mile journey through all five boroughs.
This is more than the story of a marathon. This is the story of the trailblazers who built it.

Read the incredible origin story—and follow along on our socials as we build toward November 1 and chronicle the magical moments of 50 years of the 5-boro marathon: nyrr.org/info/2026TCSNewYorkCityMarathon/Trailblazers