See Unsee summary
The 2025 New York City Marathon is set for Sunday, November 2, with the countdown already underway for one of the world’s most iconic races. Starting at 8 a.m. ET in Staten Island, it winds its way through all five boroughs before crossing the finish line in Manhattan’s Central Park.
A record-breaking celebration of endurance
For its 54th edition, more than 55,000 runners are expected to take on the famed 26.2-mile course. What makes New York’s marathon so special isn’t just its scale, but its vibrant blend of elite athletes, everyday runners, and familiar faces from film and television. Among this year’s celebrity participants: Jennifer Connelly, Randall Park, Claire Holt, and Phoebe Robinson. It’s always striking to see stars swap red carpets for running shoes. I remember spotting previous actors mid-stride and realizing how genuinely connected they were to the event—it’s this raw, human side of fame that makes the marathon such a leveler.
The streets are expected to be crowded with cheering supporters, brass bands on corners, homemade signs waving above the crowd—all part of the electric atmosphere that makes New York City’s marathon unlike any other. There’s something uniquely emotional about running through neighborhoods as diverse and full of life as Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. It turns the city into a moving celebration of perseverance.
Where to watch — even if you’re miles away
If you can’t make it to New York but still want to be part of the day, several streaming platforms and TV networks will have you covered. The marathon will air live on ESPN2 and locally on WABC-TV. For those cutting the cord, the race can also be streamed online through: To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
- ESPN Unlimited (with access to other sports content, including NBA, UFC, and Formula 1)
- DirecTV (Entertainment package includes ESPN2 and over 90 channels)
- Hulu + Live TV (comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+)
- Fubo TV (offers more than 240 live channels)
- Sling TV (a more budget-friendly option that includes ESPN2)
Many of these platforms offer free trials for new users, making it easy to tune in just for the race—even if you don’t normally follow marathons. Personally, I find the early part of the broadcast the most emotional, when tens of thousands surge over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It’s one of those moments that, even from your couch, gives you goosebumps.
For those with cable subscriptions, you can also stream the marathon via ESPN.com or the ESPN app by logging in with your provider credentials. It’s a reminder of how this event, originally a small run through Central Park in the 1970s, has transformed into a global spectacle.
A race that’s more than sport
The New York City Marathon continues to stand out not just because of the athletes chasing world records, but because of the diversity of its runners and the stories they carry with them. From cancer survivors to first-time runners raising money for charity, every bib has a personal journey behind it. That, more than anything, is what draws me in every November.
Some show up chasing personal bests. Others just dream of finishing. But all cross the same line—under the same setting sun in Central Park. And for those few hours, whether on the streets or in front of the screen, you’re reminded of the quiet, stubborn beauty of human endurance.
