NYC Marathon alters Bronx route for community access
The New York City Marathon is changing its Bronx course for the first time in 15 years, simplifying a section between miles 20 and 21 to improve resident
Organizers announced the first Bronx course change in 15 years on Tuesday, reducing turns and replacing a local loop with a more direct path. The adjustment occurs in the Bronx between miles 20 and 21, cutting the number of turns in the borough from seven to five. This year, runners coming off the Willis Avenue Bridge will continue down Alexander Avenue to East 141st Street instead of turning left on East 138th Street. The route then turns left on Third Avenue and right onto East 138th Street, leading to the Madison Avenue Bridge and back into Manhattan. The change eliminates two turns at mile 20.
Community impact and history
The change addresses resident complaints about blocked access to essential services and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the marathon’s five-borough expansion. The November 1 race marks the 50th anniversary of the marathon first expanding beyond Central Park to travel through all five boroughs in 1976. Before that, the race was confined to Central Park for four loops. The change follows years of complaints from Bronx residents about the race cutting them off from amenities. The old route blocked access to a Western Beef supermarket and a 24-hour laundromat for much of race day. Jennifer Alicea, a local resident, said the supermarket is "our only supermarket." Metellus, who grew up in the Bronx, noted the importance of maintaining access in an area where grocery options are limited. He said, "I had some sensitivities to that because those sections of the Bronx are food deserts." Road Runners, the race’s organizing body, stated the marathon wouldn’t be what it is without community support and that the changes aim to minimize impacts as the Bronx has evolved over 50 years.
Specific changes and effects
The new route avoids the Western Beef supermarket and laundromat, cuts off access to NYCHA Patterson Houses, and maintains the Bronx’s one-mile stretch known as 'The Wall'. The changes mean the race will completely avoid the Western Beef Supermarket and 24-hour laundromat on Morris Avenue. They also cut off a major access point to the nearly 1,800 apartment units of the NYCHA Patterson Houses. More than 60,000 racers will flow through a less congested part of Mott Haven in the Bronx for their 22nd mile. There is no change to the amount of race mileage in the Bronx. The borough remains represented by a slim 1-mile stretch of the course. That stretch is widely considered the toughest part of the 26.2-mile race, known as 'The Wall', because it is roughly halfway through.
Context of past changes
The adjustment continues a pattern of course evolution since 1970, including prior changes in Brooklyn and the original Central Park-only format. The course has undergone several changes since the inaugural race in 1970. In 2011, runners entering Brooklyn from the Verrazano Bridge were diverted around a residential block before charging onto Bay Ridge Parkway for the first time. Previously, races went straight onto Bay Ridge Parkway off the Verrazano Bridge.
Participant scale
Over 60,000 runners are expected this year, the highest in marathon history, flowing through a less congested part of Mott Haven. This year’s expected runner total is the highest in the marathon’s history. The overall 26.2-mile route still includes all five boroughs and the crossing from the Bronx to Manhattan via the Madison Avenue Bridge. The race is sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services, an IT and consulting firm. Runners will experience fewer corner turns in the Bronx as they approach the Madison Avenue Bridge and Manhattan.
