On This Day — October 28, 2026
News and commentary · Checked October 28, 2026
This year marks 50 years since the New York City Marathon became a five-borough race.
Before that, the entire marathon stayed inside Central Park.
The first race, in 1970, started at Tavern on the Green with 127 runners. Only 55 finished.
Six editions took place in the park before the course expanded across all five boroughs on October 24, 1976.
The November 1, 2026 race celebrates that transformation.
What began as runners circling one park became an event connecting neighborhoods across the entire city.
Sources: New York Road Runners · NYRR marathon history
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