2026 NYC Marathon: Date, Start Time and How to Watch

Nearly 60,000 runners are expected to take part in the 2026 New York City Marathon this Sunday, as the iconic event celebrates the 50th anniversary of its five-borough course. Runners will take on the streets of New York City for one of the biggest annual events in distance running.

ESPN will provide extensive coverage of the marathon, with a broadcast team featuring Sam Ryan, John Anderson, Olympians Carrie Tollefson and Clayton Young, and Paralympians Kurt Fearnley and Amanda McGrory.

Fans who cannot attend the race in person will be able to follow the action through ESPN2 and the ESPN App. The network will also offer pre-race and continuing coverage, alongside two documentaries exploring the personal stories of distance runners.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 New York City Marathon, including its date, start time, television schedule, streaming options, and additional ESPN programming.

When Is the 2026 New York City Marathon?

The 2026 New York City Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Nearly 60,000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s event, which marks 50 years of the marathon’s five-borough course.

The milestone makes this edition particularly significant for the race and its participants. Runners will travel through New York City’s five boroughs as spectators gather along the route to support those taking on the demanding distance.

With thousands of participants expected, the marathon will once again bring together professional athletes, experienced distance runners, and people completing the challenge for personal reasons.

What Time Does the 2026 New York City Marathon Start on TV?

ESPN2 will broadcast the main coverage of the 2026 New York City Marathon from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday. The same coverage will also be available through the ESPN App.

Viewers who want to follow the event before the main broadcast can watch pre-race programming on the ESPN App from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. ET.

ESPN will also provide continuing coverage after the television broadcast ends. This additional streaming window will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, allowing viewers to keep following the event.

Where to Watch the 2026 New York City Marathon

Fans in the United States can watch the main television coverage of the 2026 New York City Marathon on ESPN2. The broadcast will run from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET.

The event will also stream through the ESPN App. Pre-race coverage will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. ET, while continuing coverage will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.

All streaming coverage will be available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers through the New York City Marathon streaming hub. Subscribers can use the dedicated hub to access the available marathon programming.

2026 New York City Marathon: Full Broadcast Schedule

ESPN has arranged television and streaming coverage across three different time windows on Sunday. Here is a breakdown of the schedule for viewers planning to follow the event.

• Race date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
• Main television coverage: ESPN2
• Main broadcast: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET
• Pre-race coverage: 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. ET on the ESPN App
• Continuing coverage: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on the ESPN App
• Streaming platform: ESPN App
• Streaming subscription: ESPN Unlimited
• Streaming destination: New York City Marathon streaming hub

The schedule gives viewers an opportunity to follow the event before, during, and after the main ESPN2 broadcast.

Who Is on ESPN’s 2026 New York City Marathon Broadcast Team?

ESPN’s broadcast team for the 2026 New York City Marathon includes experienced presenters and athletes with backgrounds in Olympic and Paralympic competition.

Sam Ryan and John Anderson will be part of the coverage, alongside Olympians Carrie Tollefson and Clayton Young. Paralympians Kurt Fearnley and Amanda McGrory will also join the broadcast team.

Their involvement brings a range of perspectives to the event. The Olympic and Paralympic athletes have experience competing at the highest levels of distance running, offering viewers insight into the preparation and challenges associated with the sport.

With nearly 60,000 runners expected to participate, ESPN’s coverage will focus on bringing the scale and personal stories of the marathon to audiences watching at home.

ESPN to Present Two Running Documentaries on Sunday

Alongside its live coverage of the New York City Marathon, ESPN will present two documentaries on Sunday exploring the personal stories of distance runners.

The films are titled “The Endless Race” and “Still They Run”. Both documentaries will give viewers an opportunity to explore the experiences of runners beyond the competition itself.

The additional programming complements the live marathon broadcast by highlighting the personal journeys, challenges, and determination associated with distance running.

What Is The Endless Race About?

“The Endless Race” follows recovering addicts and their families as they prepare for the New York City Marathon. The documentary explores the challenges of addiction and recovery while highlighting the determination of people working to rebuild their lives.

Filmmaker Jen Karson-Strauss brings a personal connection to the subject following her brother’s relapse after a period of sobriety. The experiences of the participants and their families reflect aspects of her own journey, adding an emotional dimension to the documentary.

Through the marathon training process, the film examines the impact of addiction on individuals and their loved ones. It also highlights the resilience and uncertainty involved in recovery.

Why the 2026 New York City Marathon Is a Special Edition

The 2026 race marks the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon’s five-borough course, giving this year’s event an important historical milestone.

Nearly 60,000 runners will participate, making it a major gathering for the distance-running community. The marathon brings together athletes with different levels of experience, all sharing the challenge of completing the course across New York City.

For spectators, the event provides an opportunity to support runners throughout their journey. For viewers watching through ESPN, the broadcast and additional documentaries offer different ways to connect with the stories behind the competition.

2026 New York City Marathon: Everything to Know

The 2026 New York City Marathon takes place on Sunday, November 1, with nearly 60,000 runners expected to participate. This year’s race celebrates 50 years of the marathon’s five-borough course.

ESPN2 will carry the main broadcast from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET, while the ESPN App will provide pre-race coverage from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and continuing coverage from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET.

All streaming coverage will be available to ESPN Unlimited subscribers through the New York City Marathon streaming hub. ESPN will also present “The Endless Race” and “Still They Run” on Sunday, offering viewers additional stories about the people and experiences behind distance running.