New York City Marathon

The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, attracting over 53,000 finishers in 2019. It courses through the five boroughs of New York City and is organized by New York Road Runners. The race has been held annually since 1970, except for 2012 and 2020, when it was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation is chosen by a lottery system, although guaranteed entry can be gained by meeting certain requirements. The marathon has a rich history, starting with its first edition in 1970, which had only 127 competitors and 55 finishers. Over the years, the marathon has grown in popularity, with notable achievements such as Dick Traum becoming the first person to complete a marathon with a prosthetic leg in 1976, and Grete Waitz breaking the women's world record in 1978. The course has also undergone changes, with the introduction of a 35-minute head start for elite women in 2002. The marathon is now broadcast live in the New York area and nationwide, and can also be watched online.learn more on wikipedia