Baggage and Transportation: Everything You Need to Know
On Thursday, August 1, baggage and transportation options are available for selection for the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon! The selection window will be open for all runners and will close on the dates listed below. Log into your NYRR account to make your selections.
What does this mean for you?
The choices you make will determine how you get to the start on race day and whether you check a bag at the start for transport to the finish. Options are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Take a moment right now to read about your choices, then make your selections when the window opens.
Deadlines:
General runners: Wednesday, September 4, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Charity runners (including NYRR Team for Kids): Thursday, September 12, at 11:59 p.m. ET
International Tour Operator runners: Wednesday, September 18, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Baggage
You must choose to either check a bag at the start and have it transported to the finish or not check a bag and instead receive an insulated, waterproof, wind-resistant poncho about half a mile after you cross the finish.
What’s the best choice for you?
Post-Race Poncho:
You’ll receive a warm, toasty poncho about half a mile after you cross the finish line. We recommend this option if you:
- Are experienced in running marathons and understand the post-finish experience, especially at the TCS New York City Marathon
- Do not need specific items with you at the start that you can’t dispose of (such as old clothing that you can place in Goodwill bins) or keep with you during the race, such as your phone
- Can have family or friends meet you in Family Reunion after you finish or live (or are staying) in or reasonably near the finish area
Bag Check:
You’ll check a clear plastic bag (which you’ll receive at the expo) before you enter the start corrals; UPS trucks transport it to the finish, where you’ll receive it three-quarters of a mile to a mile after you finish. We recommend this option if you:
Are new to the marathon and the post-finish experience at the TCS New York City Marathon
Need or want specific items at the start that you can’t dispose of or keep with you during the race
Don’t live or have lodging in or reasonably near the finish area or can’t have family or friends meet you in Family Reunion after you finish
Two quick notes on baggage: One, on race day, you must leave Central Park via the exit that corresponds to your option. Two, if you choose the bag-check option, we will not order you a poncho, and you will not be able to claim one after completing your run, even if you decide not to check a bag after all.
Transportation
The TCS New York City Marathon starts on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Official transportation is available free of charge via the Staten Island Ferry, buses from Midtown Manhattan, and buses from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Read more about official transportation options and select your option in your NYRR account. If you don’t need official transportation, select “I don’t need official transportation.” This will help us with planning—thank you!
Don’t worry about missing the start when you select your official transportation—you will see only options that work for your wave start assignment. (Your wave start assignment is determined by your best pace with New York Road Runners or your projected finish time.)
In fact, don’t worry about anything at all when selecting your baggage and transportation options for race day. Yes, it’s a major undertaking to get 50,000 people to the start of this amazing race, but it all goes incredibly smoothly—and it’s just the beginning of your amazing adventure of running this 26.2-mile race through the streets of New York City.
And if you have any questions, we’re here to help! Visit our Help Center for answers to questions about baggage and transportation.
