New York Marathon 2014: Route, Course Map, Times, Event Details

For one day, the constant hustle and bustle and nonstop traffic on the streets of New York City will be replaced by the sounds of running shoes pounding the pavement throughout the five boroughs.

It is only fitting that one of the world’s most famous races takes place in one of the world’s most famous cities, and that is set to once again be the case on Sunday during the 44th edition of the New York City Marathon.

At some point during the race, the millionth finisher in the event’s history will cross the Central Park finish line.

Here is a look at the start times for the race. The event will be televised on ESPN 2 from 9 a.m. ET, with live streaming available on Watch ESPN. 

Time (ET)	Group
8:30 a.m.	Wheelchair Division
8:45 a.m.	Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge
8:55 a.m.	Achilles Handcycle Category and Select Athletes with Disabilities
9:10 a.m.	Professional Women
9:40 a.m.	Wave 1 (including Professional Men)
10:05 a.m.	Wave 2
10:30 a.m.	Wave 3
10:55 a.m.	Wave 4

The Marathon starts on the Staten Island side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and finishes in famed Central Park. It will cover all five boroughs and give participants a glance at the geographical diversity that defines New York City.

Here is a look at the actual route map.

Courtesy of NYRR

Perhaps the most important part of the entire route for runners is the elevation profile. With that in mind, here is a glance at the various hills and flat terrains the athletes will be forced to deal with on Sunday.

Courtesy of NYRR

As the event’s official website notes, "The 2014 TCS New York City Marathon prize purse totals a guaranteed $705,000, with potential time bonuses. The men’s and women’s champions will each receive $100,000."

Mark Lennihan/Associated Press

Marathons are never just about the running, though. It is those additional goodies or festivities that help define the marathon experience, and that will certainly be the case on Sunday.

Runners will be given a free breakfast, water and refreshments along the route at every mile beginning at mile three, as well as a recovery bag at the finish line, among other things. The bag will contain water, Gatorade, snacks and more.

There will also be more than 130 bands performing along the route, which is more musical entertainment than any race in the world. Runners and spectators should also look for entertainment zones throughout the course.

The New York City Marathon is also defined by the thousands of spectators who line the 26.2-mile route. Though they are not permitted at the start or on the initial bridge, there will be cheering zones along the course that feature sign-making supplies, giveaways and DJs.

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Spectators who hope to see as much of the course as possible are encouraged to use the subway system, since there are a number of streets closed to traffic because of the runners.

There will also be a designated family reunion section on Central Park West between 60th Street and 66th Street to help with the congestion at the finish line. The area will be organized by the first letter of the runners’ last names.

In addition to the tens of thousands of runners, there will be a unique New York twist in this year’s event. The Foot Locker Challenge will feature one runner from each borough who will run together for the first 13.1 miles and then race to the finish line from there. Whoever wins among the five receives a trophy as the Foot Locker Five-Borough Challenge champion.

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Each of the five runners has drawn inspiration from running that has helped them deal with challenges. Their detailed stories can be found here on the event’s official website.

As for the actual competition for the New York City Marathon crown, the women’s side is absolutely loaded. There are four competitors who have run under two hours and 20 minutes and three who list past championships at this event on their resume.

Brianne Mirecki of ESPN.com explained why Edna Kiplagat of Kenya is considered the favorite in a field that includes Buzunesh Deba, Firehiwot Dado, Jemima Sumgong and Jelena Prokopcuka:

"

Kiplagat has the best combination of experience and recent results of anyone in the field, with a win in London in April and the second-fastest non-Boston marathon time this year. (Boston's net downhill course can produce inflated times that are not recognized by some record-keeping bodies.)

Kiplagat knows how to win in New York, taking the victory there in 2010, but she's also had her share of misses, placing a distant ninth last year. This year she's already won a World Marathon Major race with her victory in London, and she ran an impressive 1:07:57 in the half-marathon in Glasgow on October 5. As an established competitor on the world stage, Kiplagat should be fit and savvy enough to cross the finish line first in Central Park this year.

"

The runner to watch on the men’s side is Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya because any time the two-time defending champion is in the field he will have eyes upon him. The 33-year-old champion won the 2011 New York City Marathon, 2012 Berlin Marathon and 2013 New York City Marathon (the 2012 New York City Marathon was cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy).

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Mutai is a perfect two-for-two in New York and actually set the course record in 2011.

He won in 2013 by absolutely dominating the rest of the field in the final four miles with an incredible stretch run. He discussed that finish with LetsRun.com:

"

I think that was a good area because there was not so much wind. So when I was deciding to go, I was feeling okay, the wind was not there. For me, I was not looking to say I’ve tried to leave anyone, but I was focusing at the end.

"

A third straight title would certainly make Mutai the toast of the City That Never Sleeps.

*The 2014 TCS New York City Marathon Runner Handbook can be found here with more information on the course, various activities, timing of the event and details for race day. 

*Race information and details courtesy of the New York City Marathon’s official website.

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