History of the New York City Marathon
The first New York City Marathon, in 1970, had 55 finishers and a total budget of $1,000. From this humble beginning, the race has grown to become a week long, worldwide celebration. On the guest list: 30,000 athletes, 12,000 volunteers, thousands of city employees, more than two million spectators lining the course, and tens of millions more television viewers around the globe, all celebrating friendship, sport, and human potential.

Alberto Salazar

In 1976, to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial, the marathon moved from Central Park to the streets of New York City’s five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. In the months, weeks, and days leading up to the first five-borough race, nobody was exactly sure WHAT would happen. Even Frank Shorter, who had won the Olympic marathon gold medal in 1972 and the silver in ‘76, admitted he only showed up to see if the police could actually clear the streets. They did, and Shorter joined 2,089 others on a tour of New York City, eventually finishing second to Bill Rodgers with Chris Stewart in 3rd with a time of 2:13:21 a mere 9 seconds behind 2nd. 2,009 started, and 1,549 finished.

source New York City Marathon

Course Records: Men: Tamirat Tola 2:04:58 (2023) Women: Margaret Okayo (2003) 2:22:31