Before 26.2 Miles: The Marathoners’ Guide to New York City

It is that time of the year again, when the annual New York City Marathon draws near. The event attracts athletes and spectators from far and wide to travel to the greatest city in the world with 52,000 runners and over two million people watching the marathon each year. This year, the marathon which is hosted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will be held on November 3rd, 2019 at 8.30am. The TCS New York City marathon is not the only marathon in New York City, but is definitely the largest and most popular one. Whether you are traveling to the city for the first time or a seasoned runner in the New York City Marathon, this guide offers tips on what to do before the marathon starts.

Prepare Running Gear and Equipment

All athletes preparing for the New York City Marathon should definitely visit the TCS New York City Expo. The Expo will be taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Halls 3B and 3E, from October 31 to November 2. It is here where you will pick up your race materials and shop for equipment, clothing, running shoes and technical devices. This year, the Expo is presented by New Balance which has its own store that will be selling official TCS New York City Marathon footwear and apparel. Admission is free for all so those who are not participating in the marathon can visit the 130 vendors and pick up some gear too.

Besides shopping for equipment, there are interactive booths set up for marathon runners. Visit the NYRR Running Lab at the Expo to get tips and expert advice on how to run your best during the marathon. The lab utilizes the best technology to offer a race predictor, course strategy, pace team consultation and virtual training. Marathon runners should definitely look into it to gain some valuable insight on their running patterns.

Stay close to the Expo when you rent this furnished apartment in Midtown West, just a six minute walk to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. This 2 bedroom/2 bath rental is on the 29th floor of a high-rise, elevator building with a 24-hour doorman. The luxurious apartment has state-of-the-art amenities including a fully-equipped fitness center and 3-lane indoor pool. Extend your trip to New York and live in luxury with easy access to parks and sports facilities to suit your running needs.

In the unlikely event that you could not find the right equipment from the Expo, we recommend trying out these stores around the city that sell quality running gear. Dick’s Sporting Goods sells a wide variety of sports apparel and equipment. Stop by their outlet in Queens to stock up on essentials such as compression tights, water bottles or anti-chafe balm. If you plan on staying in Manhattan, you should visit the Nike Run and New Balance stores in Flatiron or head down to Soho to shop in the Adidas flagship store.

Stay Off Your Feet with These Activities

It is a well-known fact that runners should rest their legs on the days leading up to the race. Luckily, there are lots of things to do in New York City that keep you off your feet.

For a fun activity that does not require walking, we suggest watching one of the many concerts or Broadway shows in Manhattan. New York City is famous for its popular Broadway shows, many of which are proud winners of Tony Awards. The recent winner of the Tony Awards, Hamilton, is one of the musicals we highly recommend getting tickets for. The musical is Broadway’s biggest hit and tells the story of the American founding father Alexander Hamilton. If you want to watch a more affordable show, you could check out the long-running phenomenon, The Lion King or the classic, Phantom of the Opera. These Broadway shows are not to be missed when you visit New York City.

Can’t get enough of Broadway? Rent this 2-bedroom furnished apartment in the Theatre District for easy access to a host of Broadway shows. This apartment is located on the 12th floor (11th floor European) of a high-rise elevator building with an on-site gym, laundry facilities and a terrace overlooking the city. Located in the heart of the theatre district, there are plenty of entertainment options. Travelers who plan to have a long vacation in New York City after the marathon, should consider renting this fully furnished apartment in Midtown West.

If you are not into theater, you could watch a sports game at one of the many sports stadiums in New York City. Catch a basketball game at Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center to support your favorite team. Whether you are an avid fan of basketball or want to enjoy the competitive atmosphere, watching a game in these stadiums is an unforgettable experience for any visitor. Sports fans that plan to stay longer in New York City should read our guide for sports enthusiasts to finding apartments in New York City.

For first-timers in New York City, we recommend seeing the sights of the city by hopping onboard a sightseeing cruise. Not only do you get to drift across the river in a boat, you get to tour the famous landmarks in NYC– all without moving a muscle. Board these sightseeing cruises at Pier 78 or at Pier 16, near the World Financial Center. At those locations, you will find many different companies that offer sightseeing cruises such as Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises and Hornblower Cruises. Not far from Pier 16, are helicopter flight services that give you a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the city from high above. These activities give you the full NYC experience and are perfect for runners who have to stay off their feet before the big race.

Get to Know all 5 Boroughs in NYC as you Watch the Race

The New York City Marathon starts from Staten Island and goes through all five boroughs, with plenty of vantage points to watch the runners. The high-energy and lively event garners tremendous support from both New Yorkers and visitors to the city, making the marathon one of the most popular in the United States. If you are supporting friends or family members, be sure to plan ahead and find out their start time and expected pace per mile. Choose from one of the many locations above to cheer for the athletes and let them know in advance where you will be and what you will be wearing. Make sure to bundle up to prepare for walking and standing in the cold. Most of all, prepare your accommodation in advance by renting a furnished apartment or vacation rental in New York City for the New York City Marathon.

Whether you are one of the lucky few to get a spot in the New York City Marathon, or are traveling to support friends and family, New York Habitat has ideal apartments that are located in neighborhoods the marathon passes through. As you watch the athletes run through the boroughs, you will get to see the different sides of New York City in Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. If the charms of New York City grow on you – as they should – and you plan on coming back for a longer trip, you can browse by location on our website or try some of the suggested apartments below.

First Leg

The often overlooked Staten Island, where the start line of the marathon is located, is the southernmost of New York City’s five boroughs. It is home to the Staten Island Zoo and the Staten Island Children’s Museum. If you prefer to come home to a quieter neighborhood with lots of green space, this is the borough for you. We recommend renting this 3 bedroom furnished apartment in Staten Island that is just minutes away from South Beach.  It is a homey furnished duplex family home that spans about 12000 square feet, giving you and your family ample space.

Second Leg

Next is Brooklyn, where most of the race takes place. Close to half of the 26.2 miles will take place in Brooklyn, which makes it one of the best places to watch and cheer for the runners. The whole stretch from 60th to 90th street on Fourth Avenue has great places to watch the athletes race by. Travelers to New York City who want to watch the annual marathon should definitely stay in Brooklyn, near the running route. Check out this 1 bedroom vacation rental in Clinton Hill that is just a block away from where the runners pass by. Living close to the running route is extremely convenient and saves you the hassle of trying to figure out the MTA.

Make the most of watching the race by exploring the Brooklyn neighborhood after. This borough has plenty of well-furnished apartments that you will want to call home. It is the city’s most populous borough with lots of places to visit such as Coney Island and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. If you decide to stay in this lively borough for long, you could rent this well-rated studio apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Located near Prospect Park, you get to experience firsthand the many outdoor concerts and activities that it has to offer.

Third Leg

For a more scenic view, Pulaski Bridge on Vernon Boulevard in Queens allows spectators to watch the runners race by over the water. Find a spot at either end of the bridge to cheer for the runners as they begin the second half of the race. The spots in Queens are highly accessible by train with the 7, E, F, G, N and R trains bringing you directly to the marathon route. While you are there, be sure to take in the sights and sounds of Queens, the most culturally diverse borough. The borough is made up of many different cultures and is definitely worth staying in. Stay close to Pulaski Bridge, where the runners cross, in residential Queens. Solo travelers who plan to visit NYC again will sleep comfortably in this 1 bedroom Sunnyside apartment. The modern apartment is in an ideal location near the train station with a direct line into Manhattan.

Fourth Leg

The most popular, and also most crowded, place to watch the Marathon is at the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge as pictured above. This bridge connects the Queens borough to the Manhattan borough and is the 15 mile mark of the 26.2 mile marathon. Many spectators like to gather at the Manhattan side of the bridge on 59th Street and First Avenue to cheer for the runners as they cross the bridge. Join the cheering crowd with balloons and signs to experience the New York City Marathon to the fullest.

Be ahead of the crowd by booking this 4 bedroom vacation rental near Queensboro Bridge. The apartment is located on 1st Avenue and 57th Street which is just 2 blocks away from the popular vantage point. Pack your bags and move into this charming three-story townhouse that will house your family for your vacation in New York City. This apartment in Midtown East has modern amenities and fully furnished bedrooms that are all equipped with an en-suite bathroom. For longer stays, this 4 bedroom apartment in Midtown East has an option for a long-term furnished rental as well that can be booked monthly.

Fifth Leg

The Bronx is where the runners go to before their last leg of the race in Manhattan. Unfortunately, the runners do not spend much time in that borough so there are not that many vantage points at which to support the runners from. We suggest taking some time to visit the Bronx after the race to find out more about its unique charms. The borough is known for the famous Yankee Stadium, which is home to the country’s most famous professional baseball team, the New York Yankees. Baseball fans should definitely check it out.

Sixth Leg

Last but not least, Manhattan. Manhattan is the heart of “the Big Apple” and has many iconic tourist attractions such as the Empire State Building, Times Square and Central Park. This borough is the last destination for runners in the New York City marathon where they finish the race in Central Park. This modern studio vacation rental in Midtown West is located near the finish line of the New York City Marathon. This studio apartment is within walking distance to the finish line in Central Park which makes it the perfect place to stay for the upcoming marathon. If you decide to extend your trip, we have an abundance of furnished apartments all over Manhattan for monthly rentals. From East Village to the Upper West Side and even Harlem, there are a host of apartments to choose from.

If you are one of the many travelers who are drawn to New York City for the largest marathon in the world, you will be searching for quality furnished accommodation. Here at New York habitat, whether you plan to take a day trip to the city or are thinking of a long-term stay, we got you covered. Be sure to check out our website to browse our various apartment listings or contact an agent that will help with your apartment hunting.