The streets of Brooklyn were filled with runners, cheering crowds and creative costumes on Sunday as nearly 60,000 athletes took on the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, marking the 50th anniversary of the race’s iconic five-borough course.

The race kicked off on Staten Island, with runners making their way across the historic Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which offered sweeping views of New York Harbor as they entered the borough. From there, the course wound through Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Williamsburg before crossing the Pulaski Bridge into Queens.

Runners continued through the Bronx and Manhattan before reaching the finish line in Central Park. The anniversary celebrated the first time the marathon expanded beyond Central Park and into all five boroughs in 1976.

Runners make their way through Brooklyn during the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1, as the race celebrated 50 years of its five-borough course.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Runners make their way through Brooklyn during the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1, as the race celebrated 50 years of its five-borough course.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Sweden’s Andreas Almgren won the men’s professional division in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 1 second, making an impressive marathon debut. Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui claimed the women’s title in 2:24:36, earning her second New York City Marathon victory in three years.

American runner Jess McClain finished second in the women’s division, becoming the first American woman to reach the podium since 2018. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair division for a record-extending eighth time, while countrywoman Catherine Debrunner took the women’s wheelchair title.

The women eliite runners led the field in the 50th TCS New York City MarathonPhoto by Gabriele Holtermann Runners brought Halloween spirit to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, trading traditional race-day gear for costumes as they tackled 26.2 miles.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Runners brought Halloween spirit to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, trading traditional race-day gear for costumes as they tackled 26.2 miles.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Familiar faces in the lineup

Among the many celebrities who took on the 26.2-mile challenge were reality television personalities Kyle Fraser, winner of “Survivor” Season 48, and Carl Radke of Bravo’s “Summer House,” who traded their usual on-screen appearances for a spot in Sunday’s race.

Fraser ran in support of the Chelsea Piers Foundation alongside fellow “Survivor” cast member Mitch Guerra. Radke, meanwhile, represented Release Recovery, an organization that helps people access addiction treatment and recovery resources.

Radke, owner of Greenpoint’s nonalcoholic Soft Bar & Cafe, was taking on his fourth marathon, having previously completed the New York, London and Berlin races. After finishing last year’s New York City Marathon, he said he knew better what to expect this time around.

“This course will humble you,” he said. “I’m glad I ran it last year because it really helped to have a little bit more confidence going in this year.”

He also made sure to train on sections of the course ahead of race day to avoid any surprises. His preparation paid off: Radke crossed the finish line in 3:59:55, just five seconds under his goal of four hours.

Carl Radke of Bravo’s “Summer House” takes on the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, finishing in 3:59:55 — just five seconds under his goal of four hours.Photo by Dylan Christie

But the crowds lining the streets were just as memorable as the race itself. Radke praised the spectators who turned out across the five boroughs, saying the marathon showed “the humanity of New York, the amazing culture that we have.”

The crowds brought plenty of energy — and a few Bravo-inspired Easter eggs for the reality star. Radke said nearly every street was packed with supporters, many holding signs that nodded to his life on and off camera, including “More Life,” “Soft Bar,” “Summer House” and, of course, “Carl’s a Mess.”

“It’s honestly overwhelming,” he said of the outpouring of support. “I love you guys.”

Long before he became the face of the marathon’s milestone anniversary, Tracy Morgan was watching the race from the 14th floor of Coney Island’s Marlboro Houses. Growing up just across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Morgan said he would would watch runners stream into the borough each year, with his grandfather explaining what the spectacle was all about.

Tracy Morgan grew up watching the New York City Marathon from his 14th-floor apartment in Coney Island’s Marlboro Houses. Decades later, he returned as the race’s grand marshal.Photo by Dean Moses

Now, decades later, the comedian and actor returned as the race’s grand marshal, an honor he said brought him close to tears.

“My grandfather told me … that was the marathon,” Morgan recalled. “And every year I saw it. To be a part of it, it’s an honor.”

For those who crossed the finish line Sunday — and anyone still working toward that dream — Morgan’s advice was simple: “Keep running.”

A sign to keep going

While elite runners were busy chasing records, Brooklyn spectators were chasing laughs — armed with homemade signs, clever one-liners and just the right amount of mischief to keep marathoners moving.

From Clinton Hill’s famous Mile Nine party to the packed sidewalks lining the borough’s streets, cheering became an event of its own. The annual Lafayette Avenue gathering has been a marathon-day tradition for more than two decades, with neighbors turning out to offer runners food, drinks and a much-needed boost as they tackle the 26.2-mile course.

A spectator dressed as the house from Disney’s “Up” encourages runners to “Keep up” during the New York City Marathon.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann One marathon spectator put a distinctly New York spin on race-day encouragement with a sign reading, “Pain… fugghedaboutit.”Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

And with this year’s race falling just one day after Halloween, the sidelines had an extra dose of absurdity. Costumed spectators joined the crowds, including one dressed as the house from Disney’s “Up,” whose sign urged runners to “Keep up.”

Other signs delivered distinctly New York humor, from the blunt “Pain… fugghedaboutit” to “Even the rats take the subway.” One spectator even referenced a viral interaction between Jennifer Lawrence and podcaster Connor Wood with a sign reading: “I saw you on 4th Avenue running the NYC Marathon and you paid me no mind.”

Brooklyn neighborhoods turned out in force for the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon, with spectators cheering runners along the borough’s longest stretch of the course.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn neighborhoods turned out in force for the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon, with spectators cheering runners along the borough’s longest stretch of the course.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn neighborhoods turned out in force for the 50th anniversary of the New York City Marathon, with spectators cheering runners along the borough’s longest stretch of the course.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

A borough-sized homecoming

Brooklyn is more than just another stop along the New York City Marathon route. It’s the race’s longest stretch, giving runners their most extended time in any one borough and making its neighborhoods and crowds a defining part of the 26.2-mile experience.

The route his close to home for wheelchair racer Brian Siemann, who placed 10th in the division. Born in Brooklyn, Siemann said returning to race through the borough was “an incredible opportunity and just so much fun.”

“I love going into Brooklyn,” he said. “I was born in Brooklyn and so it’s always kind of nice. And we spend the longest time in Brooklyn, so it’s kind of cool.”

Despite a tough day on the course, Siemann said the chance to compete helped him push through the difficult stretches.

“We get to be out here and to have this opportunity and then just to, you know, take advantage of it,” he said. “Even if it’s not a great day, it’s still an opportunity to just get a little bit better.”

He credited his coach and training team at the University of Illinois for their support, though after months of preparation, he was ready for some downtime.

“Lots of lots of miles. Just never ending miles,” he said. “I’m ready for a break.”

Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn showed up in full force for the 50th anniversary of the TCS New York City Marathon, welcoming runners with cheers, costumes and plenty of hometown pride.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

With reporting by Dylan Christie & Alice Ellis