NYC Marathon route to change in Bronx in 2026

For the first time in 15 years, the TCS New York City Marathon is changing course.

The 2026 route will include minor adjustments intended to “minimize the race’s impacts on the Bronx,” according to New York Road Runners.

According to New York Road Runners, after crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge from Manhattan, runners will turn left onto East 135th Street and then right onto Alexander Avenue.

Instead of turning left onto East 138th Street, as they have in previous years, runners will continue straight on Alexander Avenue past East 138th Street, New York Road Runners said.

The route will then turn left onto East 141st Street, followed by a left onto Third Avenue and a right onto East 138th Street. From there, runners will continue toward and across the Madison Avenue Bridge, crossing the Harlem River and returning to Manhattan, according to New York Road Runners.

In previous years, runners traveled from Alexander Avenue onto East 138th Street, followed by turns onto Third Avenue, Morris Avenue, East 140th Street and Rider Avenue before returning to East 138th Street and crossing the Madison Avenue Bridge.

“This is the first time in 15 years that the TCS New York City Marathon course has changed and comes as New York Road Runners celebrates the 50th anniversary of the iconic 5-boro marathon course,” NYRR said on its website.

The first New York City marathon was held on Oct. 24, 1976. The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon is scheduled for Nov. 1.