What 50,000 Runners And 76 Studies Teach Us About Racing The NYC Marathon Smarter

June 18, 2026

The New York City Marathon is a giant endurance laboratory.

More than 50,000 runners. Five boroughs. Bridges, wind, crowding, long pre-race logistics, uneven pacing demands, variable weather, and every kind of runner from world-class professionals to first-time marathoners.

A new systematic review¹ ‌compiled the scientific literature on the NYC Marathon, including 76 publications reporting findings on participation, performance, aging, nationality, injuries, environment, pacing, medical outcomes, shoes, and other race-specific features. MARATHON HANDBOOK