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topicnews · October 23, 2024

How do you get to the start of the New York City Marathon?

How do you get to the start of the New York City Marathon?

Honestly, the hardest part of the New York City Marathon might be getting to the start line. Due to the race’s route, which winds through all five boroughs of the city, the starting line is in Fort Wadsworth, near the foot of the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge on Staten Island. Unlike marathons like Berlin and Chicago, which begin and end in the heart of their cities, the NYC Marathon begins in a fairly inaccessible area.

I know lifelong New Yorkers who have never ventured this far into Staten Island, so the trek is daunting for visitors. But don’t worry! We are there for you so that you can get to the start on time and without too much hair removal. These are your options for transportation to the NYC Marathon start line.

How to take the ferry to the start of the NYC Marathon

The easiest method, especially for those staying in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, is to take the Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park. You’ll avoid all traffic and road closures and get a beautiful early morning view of the Statue of Liberty along the way.

Take the subway to the southern tip of Manhattan. The closest stops to the ferry terminal are South Ferry on Line 1, Whitehall Street-South Ferry on Line W, and Bowling Green on Lines 4 or 5. (It should be noted that the R line, which normally stops at Whitehall, stops on will be rerouted on weekends – avoid these trains.)

However, several other lines take you to the financial district and only require a slightly longer walk from the subway to the ferry. These stops are Fulton Street on the A or C lines, Broad Street on the J or Z lines, Wall Street on the 2 or 3 lines, and the World Trade Center Path station. Alternatively, you can take a bus to the ferry, although this may be more difficult due to road closures. The M15, M20 and M55 buses will take you closest.

Make your way to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, where you’ll join thousands of other runners on a 30-minute boat ride to Staten Island.

At the ferry terminal on Staten Island you can board one of the many shuttles that will take you to the start of the race. Just follow the crowd.

    How to get to the NYC Marathon start line by bus

    The NYC Marathon also offers bus transportation to the start from two points: one in midtown Manhattan and one in New Jersey. If you’re staying in Queens, Upper Manhattan, or the Bronx, the Manhattan bus may be the easiest route. If you are in New Jersey, this bus is certainly the most comfortable.

    Midtown Manhattan bus

    The bus pickup location is at the New York Public Library on the corner of 42nd Street and 5th Avenue. You can easily take the subway to a nearby station. Time Square is the stop on the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, Q, R, W and 7 lines. Bryant Park is the stop on the B, D, F and M lines. Grand Central Station is the Stop for lines 4, 5 and 6.

    New Jersey Bus

    This bus pickup location is located in Met Life Stadium Parking Lot K. However, this is not easy to reach by public transport and there is no parking space. Therefore, to take this bus you will need someone to drop you off at the stadium.

    How to drive to the start line of the NYC Marathon

    Finally, there is the option of driving to the start, which makes the most sense for those staying overnight in Staten Island. However, there is no parking at the start, so you will need either a friend or an Uber to drop you off at the intersection of Lily Pond Avenue and McClean Avenue in front of Fort Wadsworth. Please note that both the Staten Island Expressway and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge will be closed to traffic at 7 a.m. on race day. So if you’re traveling from Brooklyn or New Jersey, you’ll need to leave early.

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