844. Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon

"It’s seeing the bridge from a distance and saying, ‘There are going to be 55,000 people that are going to traverse over that bridge from 150 countries from all over the world, and from every neighborhood in New York City.’ And they’ve put in months of hard work. We have thousands of people that have raised millions of dollars for charity. There are people that are running for various causes that are inspiring their families, their friends, their neighborhoods, their communities. And most of all, they’re inspiring the world. They’re inspiring complete strangers as they run by them. And I think about that when I look at that bridge." —Ted Metellus, TCS New York City Marathon Race Director

Every year on the first Sunday of November, more than 55,000 runners will take over the five boroughs for one reason: the TCS New York City Marathon.

This episode is your unofficial guide to the iconic 26.2-mile race. Two jam-packed hours of New York City Marathon-related information.

And this episode isn’t just for the marathoners: We have tips for spectators, a breakdown of how to get into the race in the future, and general advice for having your best marathon day.

As for my New York City Marathon love affair: This race is my Super Bowl, my Christmas, my birthday, Valentine’s Day, my favorite day of the year. It was the first marathon I ever watched, back in 2008, when I went out to cheer for a coworker who was running the race. (Thanks for the inspiration, Therese!) I’ve run it three times — in 2013, 2014, and 2016 — and volunteered once, in 2015, at a fluid station in Brooklyn. In 2017, I cheered on “First and Fifth,” and in 2018, at three weeks postpartum, going to the New York City Marathon was my first outing since having a baby. I sat in the grandstands as Shalane Flanagan finished third, and pumped in a “fancy” (you know, the nice kind!) finish line porta potty. Then, in 2019, I got the best seat in the house for the first time: New York City Marathon finish line announcer.

After announcing at the finish and at the Finish Line After Dark in 2019, 2021, and 2022, in 2023 I made my NYC TV debut. I joined the broadcast talent team as a reporter on the international feed, and was featured on the WABC7 local broadcast. Last year, I was on the ESPN and WABC7 broadcasts at the finish line, interviewing notables including Chelsea Clinton, Casey Neistat, Conner Mantz, Clayton Young, Sara Vaughn, Matt James, and Ilona Maher.

This year: They're putting me on ESPN and ABC again! In addition to hosting a live show with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone during New York City Marathon weekend, on race day I'll be part of the ESPN2 and WABC7 broadcasts as a start and finish line reporter from 8 AM until 5 PM.

Let’s have some fun!

SPONSOR: 

• New Balance: Click here to check out this year's official New York City Marathon collection!

In this episode:

• New York City Marathon race director Ted Metellus talks about why he’s excited for this year’s TCS New York City Marathon (5:25)
• The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon by the numbers (25:40)
• Pre-race: how to get in, how to handle feeling overwhelmed by logistics, and how to watch this year’s race (29:05)
• What you need to know about getting to the start line in Staten Island, and what to do once you’re there (38:40)
• Dorian Kail, New York Road Runners Director of Professional Athletes, talks about assembling this year’s professional athlete fields and shares the top storylines to watch (53:40)
• All about the New York City Marathon course (1:23:00)
• Welcome to the New York City Marathon finish line — and what happens once you cross it (1:33:30)
• What to know about spectating at the New York City Marathon (1:38:20)
• Listener Q&A (1:48:00)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Support on Patreon
• Subscribe to the newsletter

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!