The NYC Marathon in Photos and Videos

As dawn broke over New York Harbor on Sunday, the first golden rays spilled across the skyline, glinting off skyscrapers and rippling over the water. On the Staten Island Ferry, the air was alive with nervous laughter and quiet anticipation. Runners from every corner of New York City, the tri-state area, and far beyond clutched coffee cups, adjusted race bibs, and stared out toward the distant start line of the 54th New York City Marathon — a journey 26.2 miles long and decades deep in tradition.

Hours later, on the opposite side of the city, the transformation was underway. From Staten Island to Central Park, a patchwork of spectators began to fill the sidewalks — parents with homemade posters, children balancing on tiptoes to catch a glimpse, and old friends bundled in scarves, shouting names into the crisp morning air. They came armed with energy bars, paper cups of water, and endless enthusiasm, ready to lift spirits when legs grew heavy and resolve began to waver.

As the runners surged past, a current of emotion flowed between competitors and crowd. Smiles spread. Hands slapped in passing high-fives. Some runners waved flags from their home countries; others danced briefly to the beat of a drumline echoing down the avenue. Costumes and colors streaked through the streets — neon wigs, glittering tutus, superhero capes — each one a small rebellion against exhaustion, a reminder that joy could carry you as far as strength.

By midday, the city itself seemed to move with the rhythm of the race. From the bridges to the boroughs, the marathon had once again become what it always is: not just a test of endurance, but a living celebration of humanity, perseverance, and the simple, shared thrill of moving forward — one step, one cheer, one heartbeat at a time.