6 days left until the start of the New York Marathon!
We’re thrilled to follow Matthias in these final days leading up to the New York Marathon! The excitement is building — can he take running.COACH into the top 10 on the world’s biggest marathon stage?
Today, we’re diving into a topic that can make or break a marathon performance: the course.
Course Description
The New York City Marathon is one of the most iconic marathon courses in the world — a 42.195 km journey through all five boroughs of New York City. Here’s how the course unfolds:
Start – Staten Island (Miles 0–2 / km 0–3)
The race begins on Fort Wadsworth, right at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The first mile is a climb (about 50 m), but the view over New York Harbor — with the Manhattan skyline in the distance — makes it unforgettable. The second mile is a fast downhill into Brooklyn.
Miles 2–13 (km 3–21) – Brooklyn
For more than 18 kilometres, runners weave through lively Brooklyn neighbourhoods like Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Williamsburg. The atmosphere is electric — live bands, DJs, and cheering crowds line the streets. It’s flat and fast here, perfect for finding a strong rhythm.
Miles 13–16 (km 21–26) – Queens
Crossing the Pulaski Bridge marks the halfway point and the entry into Queens. The course winds through Long Island City, with the Manhattan skyline growing closer.
Mile 16 – Queensboro Bridge to Manhattan
The climb up the Queensboro Bridge is quiet and tough — spectators aren’t allowed on the bridge — but the descent into Manhattan at mile 16 is legendary. As runners turn onto First Avenue, they’re greeted by a wall of sound from the roaring Manhattan crowds.
Miles 16–20 (km 26–32) – Manhattan (First Avenue)
First Avenue stretches north through the Upper East Side and East Harlem. The street is wide, slightly rolling, and packed with fans offering energy and encouragement.
Miles 20–21 (km 32–34) – The Bronx
After crossing the Willis Avenue Bridge, runners spend about 2 km in The Bronx, looping past local bands and cheering residents before returning to Manhattan via the Madison Avenue Bridge.
Miles 22–26.2 (km 35–42.2) – Manhattan and Central Park
The final stretch runs south along Fifth Avenue, which looks deceptively flat but includes a long, gradual climb before entering Central Park around mile 23. Inside the park, the rolling terrain tests tired legs, but the crowds are unforgettable. The last mile exits briefly onto Central Park South, turns back into the park at Columbus Circle, and ends with a triumphant finish near Tavern on the Green.
Finish – Central Park
By the time runners cross the finish line, they’ve covered five boroughs, crossed five bridges, and experienced one of the most emotional marathon finishes in the world.
Matthias’ Thoughts
Matthias Kyburz knows exactly what awaits him on this legendary course — a mix of strategy, strength, and mental focus. “The start phase will definitely be interesting,” he says. “Will there be a big lead group, or will the pace take off right from the beginning? I need to be alert from the first metre to make the right decisions. If there’s a larger lead group, I expect the ‘real race’ to start once we turn onto First Avenue in Manhattan.”
That stretch on First Avenue will also be one of the toughest. “By that point, we’ve already run about 25 kilometres. The road looks flat, but it’s actually rolling — that section will be exciting.”
To prepare, Matthias has tailored his training to the course. “I added more elevation than before races like Sevilla. I rarely did long runs on completely flat terrain and tried to simulate New York’s course profile as closely as possible.”
When it comes to pacing, intuition will be just as important as fitness. “I know roughly what pace I can handle, but since there are no pacemakers in New York, I’ll have to rely more on instinct,” he explains. “Of course, I have target splits in mind, but the key will be knowing when to go with a group and when to stick to my own rhythm. I’m really looking forward to that kind of racing — it’s like being back at a school race, just a bit longer.”
Other posts in the Countdown New York series:
#1 – do’s and dont’s before the race
#2 – how to follow the race
#3 – travel
#4 – nutrition
#5 – mindset
#7 – equipmnent
#8 – staying healthy
#9 – tapering
#10 – goal
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