The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will take place on November 1, beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST with the professional wheelchair and handcycle divisions. Professional runners will follow, along with five waves of amateur participants.
The race will be broadcast locally on WABC-TV and nationally on ESPN2. Viewers who do not have cable can stream the event through DirecTV, Fubo or Hulu + Live TV, all of which offer free trial options.
DirecTV includes ESPN2 in its main packages and is offering a five-day free trial. Its Entertainment package starts at $59.99 per month after a $30 discount on the first month for new subscribers.
Fubo also carries ESPN2 through its Pro and Elite plans, which are discounted during the first month to $63.99 and $68.99, respectively. The service offers a one-day free trial, while its subscription includes ESPN Unlimited for broader access to ESPN programming.
Hulu + Live TV has revived a three-day free trial and includes both ESPN and ESPN2, along with more than 100 other channels. After the trial, the service costs $99.99 per month and includes Disney+ and Hulu’s library of television shows and films.
This year’s marathon route includes its first adjustment in 15 years, affecting part of the course in the South Bronx. The 2026 race also marks the 50th anniversary of the marathon’s five-borough format, which expanded from its original Central Park course in connection with the U.S. Bicentennial.
According to New York Road Runners, the professional field includes three defending champions, 40 Olympians and Paralympians, 25 Olympic, Paralympic and World Championships medalists, and 22 national record holders. Hellen Obiri, Benson Kipruto and Marcel Hug are returning as defending champions in the women’s open, men’s open and wheelchair divisions.
Other prominent competitors include Sheila Chepkirui, Sifan Hassan, Geoffrey Kamworor, Abdi Nageeye, Daniel Romanchuk and David Weir. Nearly 60,000 runners were selected from more than 240,000 applicants, and approximately two million spectators are expected to line the route.
The celebrity field includes Jennifer Connelly, Joshua Bassett, Antoni Porowski, Dylan Efron, Tiki Barber, Zarna Garg and Del Water Gap. There is also speculation that Harry Styles could participate, following the end of his Madison Square Garden residency on October 31.
The marathon is also expected to showcase several leading racing shoes. Hellen Obiri is sponsored by On, while Benson Kipruto represents Adidas. Sifan Hassan, Geoffrey Kamworor and Abdi Nageeye wear Nike, and Sheila Chepkirui is sponsored by Adidas.
New Balance, the official athletic footwear sponsor of the New York Road Runners and the marathon, has designated the FuelCell SC Elite v6 as its official race-day super shoe for its athletes. Other anticipated models include Adidas’ Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, Nike’s Alphafly 3 and Brooks’ carbon-plated Hyperion Elite 6.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon can be streamed online through DirecTV, Fubo or Hulu + Live TV on November 1.
Sources: WWD.