2020 TCS New York City Marathon Fun Facts

The 2020 TCS New York City Marathon will be the race's 50th running and 50th anniversary. Take a look at just a few fun facts and figures about the 50-year history of this iconic event!

The first running, in 1970, had 127 entrants, 55 finishers, and a $1 entry fee. FDNY firefighter Gary Muhrcke won in 2:31:38; there were no women finishers.

The legendary Grete Waitz of Norway won the New York City Marathon nine times in the 1970s and 80s—no other marathon can claim that! Wheelchair division winners Kurt Fearnley of Australia, Edith Wolf Hunkeler of Switzerland, and Tatyana McFadden of the United States have each won five times; American Bill Rodgers and Kenyan Mary Keitany are both four-time winners.

The 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, with 53,600+ finishers, was the largest marathon in history.

About 26,000 runners get to the start via the Staten Island Ferry and shuttle buses. After the 53,000+ runners start, 36 UPS trucks transport marathoners’ gear to the finish.

There are about 1,500 portable toilets at the start, and nearly 400 along the course.

65 pace leaders for the NYRR Pace Team Presented by Biofreeze help runners achieve their finishing goals at times ranging from 3 hours to 6+ hours.

More than 1,000,000 spectators line the course to cheer on the runners, and 150+ bands and other entertainment motivate and inspire runners and spectators.

There are 10,000 volunteers at the start, along the course, and at the finish to support runners and their loved ones.

In 2019, 122,760 pounds of discarded clothing was donated to Goodwill of NYNJ; this contributed to a milestone of 1,000,000+ pounds of clothing donated to Goodwill over seven years at the TCS New York City Marathon.

Also in 2019, 32,500 pounds of unused food was donated to City Harvest from the marathon start and finish and the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K.

In 2018, 10,000 charity runners raised $40 million for 400+ worthy causes; about 2,000 of them ran for NYRR Team for Kids, raising $6.6 million. (2019 figures will be available soon.)