Bakline’s guide to tackling the TCS NYC Marathon—section by section, from the Verrazzano to Central Park.

It starts early—hours before the start gun—with runners moving through the slow ritual of getting to Staten Island. The ferry’s crowded and buzzing, the buses crawl through traffic, and everyone’s half awake, half anxious, wondering if they packed enough snacks. It’s all part of the race before the race. Matt and Molly break down what that morning really feels like, and how to handle every stretch of the TCS New York City Marathon once you finally hit hear the cannon that sets you on your way.

Episode Description

In this episode of Legwork, Matt and Molly take runners mile by mile through the world’s most iconic marathon: New York City. Drawing on their personal experiences and coaching insights, they unpack every element of race day—from pre-dawn logistics on Staten Island to the emotional charge of entering Central Park.

Matt and Molly cover the practical details that make or break a smooth race morning—timing breakfast, navigating transport, managing nerves, and adjusting for daylight savings—before diving deep into a section-by-section course strategy. From the Verrazzano Bridge to First Avenue to the final turn onto Central Park South, they share what to expect, where to hold back, and how to find rhythm amid the crowds.

Whether it’s your first time running New York or your tenth, this episode gives you the insider perspective to approach the course with confidence, calm, and respect for the challenge.

NOTE: This podcast episode is not affiliated in any way with New York Road Runners nor do we claim any association or ownership related to their trademarks. This is an informational discussion about the race by Bakline, based on our experience and not as an official spokesperson for the organization that puts on the marathon.

Chapter List

00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences with the New York City Marathon

06:58 Course Strategy Overview and Key Elements

07:44 Getting to Staten Island

09:02 Timing Your Breakfasts and Remembering Daylight Savings

11:23 Race Morning Checklist

13:30 Getting to The Start: The Ferry

18:21 Getting to The Start: The Bus

20:56 Navigating Athletes / Starting Village

25:26 Starting Line Wave Times

28:02 The Course: Overall Elevation Profile

30:30 The Course: (1) Navigating the Verrazano Bridge

34:51 The Course: (2) Exiting the Verrazzano, Converging with Others, and Fourth Ave

37:49 The Course: (3) Lafayette Through The Half

44:45 The Course: (4) Queens and The Queensboro Bridge

50:36 The Course: (5) First Ave, Heading to the Bronx

56:49 The Course: (6) The Boogie Down Bronx Experience

59:08 The Course: (7) Returning to Manhattan, Marcus Garvey Park, And the Dreaded 5th Avenue Hill

01:02:57 The Course: (8) Entering Central Park!

01:05:42 The Course: (9) Exiting The Park, Central Park South, and the Finish!