Image of marathon runners on the Verrazano Bridge
The New York City Marathon crosses iconic landmarks like the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (Photo credit: TCS New York City Marathon http://www.nyrr.org/)

New York is more famous for its nightlife and culture than its athletic events, but the city is a hub for all kinds of athletes. One of the most famous events that takes place in NYC is the TCS New York City Marathon held every fall. As our guide to marathons in the city shows, though, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. While you’re planning your stay, take a look at our furnished rentals around the city, which are a great alternative to hotels.

The New York City Marathon

Image of runners in front of the NYC skyline
The skyline frames the TCS New York City Marathon route quite nicely.

The TCS New York City Marathon takes place as fall comes to the city, and is certainly the best-known of New York’s annual running events. It also draws the most runners of any marathon in the world, with more than 50,000 taking part each year. The massive event is organized by the New York Road Runners, who also host a half marathon in the spring. It has had a perfect record from its 1970 start, with the exception of 2012, which was cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy. This year’s race is on November 16, 2016, so mark your calendars and start training!

Image of furnished vacation rental studio NY-14118
This furnished studio in Midtown West (Clinton) has all the comforts of home.

If you’re coming into the city for the race as an athlete or as a spectator, you’ll need a good place to stay. With our furnished rentals around the city, you can be near the heart of the action wherever on the route you’re looking to stay. This studio in Clinton is just blocks from the finish line of the marathon at Columbus Circle, which is right on the edge of Central Park. Plus, it has internet, a full kitchen, and great subway access.

The Rockaway Marathon

Image of runners’ feet during the start of the race
The Rockaway Marathon is a great place to hit the pavement.

The Rockaways, New York’s own beach strip, forms a sandy barrier island off the coast of Brooklyn and Queens. The area is good for more than just tanning though, which you can see for yourself during the Rockaway Marathon. This outer-borough run is held this year on October 8, 2016, comfortably long after the summer heat subsides. The boardwalk is gorgeous year-round, so don’t hesitate to visit the beach in NYC.

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Hardwood floors and a fireplace add charm to this two-bedroom.

Unlike the distant beaches of The Hamptons or the Jersey Shore, the Rockaways are just a short train ride away for much of New York City! You can take the A train from Manhattan or Brooklyn, or you can hop on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant in the hip borough of Brooklyn. The area is full of great New York rentals like this two-bedroom vacation rental.

The Brooklyn Marathon

Image of the Brooklyn Marathon in Grand Army Plaza
Grand Army Plaza is the stage for Brooklyn’s Marathon.

As New York’s most populous borough, Brooklyn has to have a marathon of its own. Indeed, for the race on November 20, 2016, runners from around the world will converge on Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, a peaceful green expanse flanked by the upscale Park Slope. The park itself is a masterpiece from the same 19th-century designer as Central Park, so it’s worth a visit even if you’re not around during race time. The area is also full of great coffee shops, just one aspect of its Brooklyn charm.

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With a homey one-bedroom rental like this, you’ll never want to stay in a hotel again!

Located less than a block from Prospect Park on a tree-lined street, this one-bedroom apartment is great for runners and tourists alike. There’s lots of seating and a sofa bed in the living room with an open kitchen to keep the space airy. You can chill out back on your private patio to cool off after the race, or you can take a short walk over to the park, where you’ll find all the green space you can hope for!

The Yonkers Marathon

Image of a runner with a Yonkers Marathon pin
The Yonkers Marathon has been hosting runners for over 100 years!

While the New York City Marathon might get all the press, its neighbor to the north actually has a longer history. The city’s race dates back to 1970, but the Yonkers Marathon has occurred annually since its inaugural Thanksgiving Day race in 1907. Only the Boston Marathon is older. Like the Boston Marathon, the Yonkers Marathon is famous for its hilly course, a challenge 100 years ago and today. Don’t miss this year’s race on October 1, 2016!

If you’re looking to stay in New York while running or watching the race, we have great rentals across the Bronx. This two-bedroom for vacation rentals has a full kitchen, cable TV, and internet access. It’s also flexible for groups, with two extra beds that can be added upon request. Just a few blocks north is expansive Bronx Park, great for practicing your running before the race!

The Hamptons Marathon

Go for a run and hit the beach at the Hamptons Marathon!
Go for a run and hit the beach at the Hamptons Marathon!

The Hamptons in the eastern portion of New York’s Long Island are the place to be during the summer. Every weekend, New Yorkers flee east to private beaches and villas for relaxation and debauchery. The real action takes place a few months later (on October 16 this year) when aspiring marathoners converge on the Hamptons for a marathon and half-marathon by the beaches.

Staying out in the Hamptons can get pricey, so it may be a safer bet to take the Long Island Rail Road out from Brooklyn. One of the neighborhoods by the commuter line is Crown Heights, known for convenient housing close to major train lines. Our two-bedroom Crown Heights vacation rental lets you choose between Manhattan to blow off steam after the race, or the neighborhood to relax at one of the trendy bars nearby. You can even take a luxurious bath if you’d like; you’ve earned it!

To learn more about the city’s events (athletic or otherwise), check out our travel guide or come and see for yourself!