After a year-long hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the New York City Marathon has returned to the five boroughs.
Approximately 33,000 runners – 20,000 short of 2019’s total due to pandemic restrictions – flooded the streets for the 50th running of the marathon today.
The largest marathon in the world tipped off on Staten Island, spanning 26.2 miles to the finish line at the south end of Central Park. Two million spectators are expected to line the streets to witness the return of the race, which began at 8 a.m.

Runners enter Brooklyn after completing the first mile of the NYC Marathon at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY.Photo by Julia Bonavita

NYC Marathon runner Pablo Madriz celebrates completing the first mile of the race, passing over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY. Photo by Julia Bonavita

Runners in the 50th Annual NYC Marathon pass over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo by Julia Bonavita

Weerapon Noothae gives a thumbs-up while crossing over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo by Julia Bonavita

The second wave of runners in the 50th Annual NYC Marathon pass over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo by Julia Bonavita

Prateek Shukla poses while passing over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the NYC Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY. Photo by Julia Bonavita

Hannah Gavios greets spectators after completing the first mile of the NYC Marathon by passing over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo by Julia Bonavita

Kristen Langston passes over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the NYC Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo by Julia Bonavita

Members of security for the NYC Marathon cheer on runners passing over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on Sunday, Nov. 7 in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo by Julia Bonavita