<P> The New York City Marathon (branded TCS New York City Marathon and formerly branded ING New York City Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is an annual marathon (42.195 km or 26.219 mi) that courses through the five boroughs of New York City . It is the largest marathon in the world, with 51,394 finishers in 2016 and 98,247 applicants for the 2017 race . Along with the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon, it is among the pre-eminent long - distance annual running events in the United States and is one of the World Marathon Majors . </P> <P> The race is organized by New York Road Runners and has been run every year since 1970, with the exception of 2012, when it was cancelled due to the landfall of Hurricane Sandy . In past years, it has been sponsored by the financial group ING . In 2014, Tata Consultancy Services, a multinational information technology (IT) service, consulting, and business solutions company headquartered in India, began an eight - year term as the title sponsor . The race is held on the first Sunday of November and attracts professional competitors and amateurs from all over the world . Because of the popularity of the race, participation is chosen largely by a lottery system . Guaranteed entry to the marathon can be gained by satisfying the requirements of the 9 + 1 program or the 9 + $1 K program (where NYRR members run in nine sponsored races and either volunteer at another event or donate $1,000 to support NYRR programs for young athletes), having completed 15 or more previous NYC Marathons, or meeting time qualification standards . In addition, runners can gain an entry by joining a team to raise funds for one of a number of charities . </P> <P> The race was founded by Fred Lebow . Ted Corbitt helped plan the course of the New York City Marathon . The initial course of 1970 consisted of repeated racing around Central Park . From 1976, the course covers all five boroughs of New York City . It begins on Staten Island, in Fort Wadsworth, near the approach to the Verrazano - Narrows Bridge . The bridge, which normally carries only vehicular traffic, is closed for the event . Runners use both sides of the upper level of the bridge and the westbound side of the lower level . In the opening minutes of the race, the bridge is filled with runners, creating a dramatic spectacle that is closely associated with the event . </P> <P> After descending the bridge, the course winds through Brooklyn, mostly along Fourth Avenue and Bedford Avenue, for approximately the next 11 miles (18 km). Runners pass through a variety of neighborhoods, including: Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Park Slope, Bedford - Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint . </P>

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