{"id":388426,"date":"2026-10-31T00:00:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T00:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/388426\/"},"modified":"2026-10-31T00:00:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T00:00:32","slug":"2026-nyc-marathon-brooklyn-road-closures-cheer-zones-and-more-brooklyn-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/388426\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NYC Marathon: Brooklyn road closures, cheer zones, and more \u2022 Brooklyn Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York City Marathon is upon us again, and 60,000 runners are gearing up to dash through the Big Apple on Sunday, Nov. 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course \u2014 before that, the marathon was run entirely in Central Park \u2014 and while each borough is important, nearly half the race takes place right here in Brooklyn, between Bay Ridge and Greenpoint.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re planning to join the crowds cheering the runners on or aiming to avoid the race altogether, here\u2019s everything you need to know about who\u2019s running, which roads will be closed, and where to watch.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brooklynites to watch<\/p>\n

While there are hundreds of Brooklynites taking part in Sunday\u2019s race, there are a few to watch out for.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two locals are part of New York Road Runners\u2019 Team Inspire, a group of 26 participants with particularly moving stories.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Giovanni Kyle Sabio<\/a> was born in the Philippines and grew up unhoused. He moved to New York City five years ago, and found a sense of home and peace here in Brooklyn. Sabio now lives in Bushwick, and said running has given him confidence, comfort and a community he loves.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Giovanni Kyle Sabio found comfort and community in running. Photo courtesy of Team Inspire<\/p>\n

Carroll Gardens mom Sherie Buell is running her first marathon along with two friends \u2014 Sheena Lawrick and Laura Lang \u2014 in support of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where their children were successfully treated for a rare pediatric eye cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Crown Heights resident Miraj Mehta, is running his 26.2 miles with Team Citizens to support local nonprofit Beginning with Children<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two local celebs will take part, too. Brooklyn lawyer-turned-\u201dSurvivor\u201d winner Kyle Fraser is running to raise money for the Chelsea Piers Foundation; \u201cSummer House\u201d star Carl Radke, who also runs Soft Bar in Greenpoint, is racing in support of Release Recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To keep track of a friend or loved one running Sunday\u2019s race, download the official NYRR app <\/a>and punch in your runner\u2019s name or bib number to follow along on their journey!\u00a0<\/p>\n

The best places to spectate<\/p>\n

About 11 miles of the marathon route<\/a> are in Brooklyn, so there\u2019s plenty of space to spectate without going too far from home. Here are some of the best viewing spots and a few watch parties along the route! Signs and cowbells are encouraged, but be sure to stay behind caution tape and barricades to leave the course open and safe for marathoners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Miles 2-4: There are no spectators on Staten Island or along the Verrazzano, so this is the earliest you can see the runners as they begin their 26.2 mile journeys! Catch the R train and get off anywhere between Bay Ridge Avenue and 95th Street and it\u2019s a short walk to 4th Avenue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just note that there are three routes runners might take, and they diverge slightly in the early miles of the race. If you\u2019re looking for a special someone, be sure you know what color group they\u2019re in \u2014 pink, blue or orange \u2014 or watch closer to Mile 4, near the Bay Ridge Avenue stop, where the routes come together again.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"nycRoughly 11 miles of the NYC marathon route run through Brooklyn.Image courtesy of NYC Road Runners<\/p>\n

Irish Haven in Bay Ridge: Irish Haven and Sole Cafe NYC are hosting a joint marathon watch party<\/a> in front of Irish Haven at 5721 4th Ave., just past 57th Street. The celebration starts at 8 a.m. and will include coffee, snacks and live music.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fourth Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, Mile 8: This is one of the most popular cheer spots in Brooklyn, and a great spot to catch a glimpse of a loved one if they\u2019re running! Take the B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, or 5 train to Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and brace yourself for a big crowd. Runners will come up 4th Avenue and curve onto Flabush Avenue briefly before heading right on Lafayette Avenue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Cheer Zone: Join the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership<\/a> at The Plaza at 300 Ashland Place to cheer with coffee, music and cowbells from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

NYRR Member Cheer Zone: New York Road Runners are inviting NYRR members, family, friends and supporters to join their cheer zone at 30 Lafayette Ave. RSVP on Eventbrite<\/a> to join the group and enjoy signs, snacks and exclusive promotional items. This zone is for hard core supporters, and is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to support all 60,000 runners!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Thousands of marathon runners will make their way through Brooklyn on Nov. 1. File photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Miles 10-13: Catch the runners before they hit the Pulaski Bridge and the halfway point of the race! Portions of this stretch can be a little quiet, and it\u2019s easily accessible by the G or L train.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Only NY Watch Party: Join beloved local clothing brand OnlyNY for a marathon celebration<\/a> at their 76 Nassau Ave. shop. The store sits right next to the marathon route, and the event will include sign-making, a live DJ, and free water and bananas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sprint & Sip Cheer Zone: Run club Sprint & Sip\u2019s<\/a> cheer zone is great for runners and spectators alike. Join in at the corner of Kent Avenue and McGuinness Boulevard, right around Mile 13, for a high-energy celebration with a DJ, pickle shots for runners, and on-course photography. When the runners have passed through, the celebration will move to Threes Brewing in Greenpoint, where marathoners can show their medals for free beers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marathon road closures, pedestrian crossings, and transit impacts<\/p>\n

A number of local streets will be closed for portions of the day, and some bus routes will be impacted, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This year, there are two designated pedestrian crossing zones if your path is interrupted by the route, one at Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street; another at Bedford Avenue and Broadway. Before you get on the bus, check your route on the MTA website<\/a>, as some routes are skipping stops or taking a detour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"The marathon route will impact some bus routes as well as dozens of Brooklyn streets. File photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a list of street closures with approximate times, check the DOT website<\/a> for more information and keep an eye out for \u201cNo Parking\u201d signs on Saturday night to ensure your vehicle isn\u2019t in a prohibited zone!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Upper Level, both directions \u2014 closed 11 p.m. on Oct. 31 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 1.
\nVerrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Lower Level, both directions \u2014 closed Nov. 1, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.\u00a0
\nBrooklyn-Queens Expressway from the Verrazzano Bridge to 79th Street \u2014 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nDalgren Place from the Verrazzano Bridge to 92nd Street \u2014 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\n92nd Street from Dahlgren Place to Fourth Avenue \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\n92nd Street from Gatling Place to Fort Hamilton Parkway \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nFort Hamilton Parkway from 92nd Street to 94th Street \u2014 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\n94th Street from Fort Hamilton Parkway to Fourth Avenue \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\n7th Avenue \u2013 79th Street to 74th Street\/Bay Ridge Parkway \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\n74th Street, 6th Avenue to 7th Avenue, 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\n6th Avenue, 74th Street to 75th Street\/Bay Ridge Parkway \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nBay Ridge Parkway, 7th Avenue to 4th Avenue \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\n4th Avenue, 94th Street to Flatbush Avenue, 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nFlatbush Avenue, 4th Avenue to Lafayette Avenue, 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nLafayette Avenue, Flatbush Avenue to Bedford Avenue \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nBedford Avenue, Lafayette Avenue to Nassau Avenue, 7 a..m.-6:30 p.m.
\nNassau Avenue, Bedford Avenue\/Lorimer Street to Manhattan Avenue, 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nManhattan Avenue, Nassau Avenue to Greenpoint Avenue, 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nGreenpoint Avenue, Manhattan Avenue to McGuinness Boulevard, 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nMcGuinness Boulevard, Greenpoint Avenue to 48th Avenue \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
\nPulaski Bridge \u2013 Closed to car traffic \u2013 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n