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Mile Commons community guide

For Spectators & Supporters

Language

Plan where to watch, how to move between viewing areas, how to track your runner and where to reunite.

Checklists

What to do before race day, on race morning, and after the finish — including for the people cheering you on.

Official NYRR (New York Road Runners)Race edition: 2026

After the finish, and for supporters

  • Leave the park at West 77th Street, then exit at West 76th, 75th or 74th Street, or walk south to Family Reunion.
  • Pre-checked bags: collect yours on Central Park West until 7:00 p.m.
  • Supporters: no spectators at the start or on any bridge. Try Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn (miles 2–4), First Avenue (miles 16–18) or Fifth Avenue at East 90th–105th Streets (miles 23–24).
  • Supporters can track you in the NYRR app. Phone networks near the finish may be saturated, so agree a meeting spot in advance.

Spectators & family

Where your supporters can see you and where to meet afterwards.

Official NYRR (New York Road Runners)Race edition: 2026

Where to watch

  • No spectators at the start or on any bridge.
  • Suggested spots: Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn (miles 2–4); Fourth and Flatbush Avenues (mile 8); First Avenue (miles 16–18); First Avenue and 120th Street (miles 19–20); Fifth Avenue, East 90th–105th Streets (miles 23–24).
  • Friends and family can track you in the NYRR app.
  • Mile Commons tipPick two spots on different subway lines so supporters can get ahead of you between sightings.

Subway to the viewing spots

  • NYRR says the subway is the best way for spectators to get around, and strongly recommends checking mta.info before you travel. You can also message the MTA through the chat in the MTA app.
  • Mile Commons tipThese are the lines NYRR lists for each spot, not a promise of race-day service. Weekend service changes are common: check them on mta.info the day before and again on race morning, decide which side of the course you want to stand on before you ride, and allow extra time.

Brooklyn · miles 2–13

  • Brooklyn — Fourth Avenue (miles 2–4): R; Fourth and Flatbush Avenues (mile 8): B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5; Williamsburg and Greenpoint (miles 10–13): G, L, M, J.

Queens · mile 13.1

  • Queens — the Queens side of the Pulaski Bridge, just past halfway (mile 13.1): 7, G, E. The bridge itself is closed to spectators.

Manhattan · miles 16–26

  • Manhattan — First Avenue (miles 16–18): N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, F; East Harlem (miles 18–20): 6; Charity Cheer Zone, First Avenue and 120th Street (miles 19–20): 6; Fifth Avenue, East 90th–105th Streets (miles 23–24): Q, 4, 5, 6; United Airlines Zone, Columbus Circle: A, C, D, 1.

Watching near the finish

  • The standing spectator area is inside Central Park, from Columbus Circle to the south end of the grandstands, about 500 feet before the finish. Enter at Broadway and West 61st Street, or from the east side by Heckscher Fields. Every entrance has security screening.
  • Access can be limited at times when the area is full, and chairs are not allowed. There is no spectator access in Central Park north of the grandstands.
  • Grandstand seating needs a ticket. Ticket holders enter at West 62nd Street and Broadway.

Family Reunion

  • West 69th–71st Streets, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., by surname: 71st A–F, 70th G–N, 69th O–Z. Bags are screened on Columbus Avenue.
  • Supporters should plan to reach Family Reunion 20–30 minutes after your expected finish time.
  • Mile Commons tipFinish-area streets and times can change close to race day. Re-check NYRR's finish page in race week, and agree a backup meeting spot outside the area.

Spectator race-day checklist

  • Mile Commons tipSave the runner's bib number in the NYRR app, choose viewing spots before leaving, and check MTA service again on race morning.
  • Mile Commons tipAgree on a Family Reunion block and a backup meeting point outside the finish area before the runner leaves for the start.

Race-weekend weather

Weather can affect both runners and supporters. Use the National Weather Service forecast for Central Park and check NYRR for official race-day advisories.

Race-day forecastSunday, November 1

No race-day forecast yet: National Weather Service (NWS) has not published one. Its forecasts reach about 7 days ahead.

Daily forecast

  1. Fri, Oct 30

    Not yet in the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast.

  2. Sat, Oct 31

    Not yet in the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast.

  3. Sun, Nov 1Race day

    Not yet in the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast.

Forecast by National Weather Service (NWS) for Central Park, Manhattan (near the finish). Last updated by National Weather Service (NWS) Oct 23, 2:58 AM EDT.

National Weather Service (NWS) is the authoritative source for this forecast. Mile Commons shows it here as published; it does not produce, adjust, or verify forecast values.

This is the forecast for one point. Conditions elsewhere on the course can differ.

See the NWS forecast for Central ParkOfficial source; opens in a new tab.

Check official race-day advisoriesOfficial source; opens in a new tab.

Course and spectator maps

Use the course overview for route context and the official spectator guidance above for viewing and transit planning.

Course overview

Community

Community cheering details will appear here when they are published. Follow the NYRR guidance above for race day.

Join Mile Commons

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