The 2024 NYC Marathon: Where to Watch and Road Closures in Brooklyn
More than 50,000 runners will spend the most miles in Brooklyn during the New York City Marathon, from the Verrazano Bridge to the Pulaski.
Photo by Susan De Vries
Kirstyn Brendlen, Brooklyn Paper
The New York City Marathon is barreling toward Brooklyn once again, with just days to go before more than 50,000 runners fill the streets on their 26.2-mile, five-borough journey.
On Sunday, November 3, the city will be overflowing with athletes, cheering crowds, and high energy, and runners will spend the most miles in Brooklyn — 11 miles of the course are in Kings County, from the Verrazano Bridge to the Pulaski.
Here’s everything you need to know about who’s running, where to watch the race, and road closures ahead of the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon.
Local runners to look out for
Of course, hundreds of Brooklynites will take part in the marathon — but two in particular will run with New York Road Runners’ Team Inspire, a group of 26 people bringing purpose to their races.
Ocean Hill resident LaDawn Jefferson is running to support the Red Door Community, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting cancer patients and their families. Jefferson found Red Door while battling Stage 4 Breast Cancer, and she’s giving back to the org now that she’s in remission.
Back on the course for the first time since 2017 is 33-time marathoner Larry Lewis. A South Slope resident, Lewis had a stroke days before the 2018 marathon, and now — after learning how to walk again — will return in a racing chair alongside a guide from Achilles International.
If you’re cheering on a friend or neighbor, you can keep track of their location on the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon app. Just type in their last name or bib number so you know when to cheer!
Where to watch the marathon in Brooklyn
There are plenty of places to watch runners go by in Brooklyn — most of the course is spectator friendly, and since the raceway stretches from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint, most locals are within easy access of a good view. Here are some particularly good places to watch:
- 4th Avenue in Bay Ridge, Miles 2-4: Greet runners as they come off the Verrazano Bridge and enter Brooklyn! This is a great spot to catch the early-race vibes and encourage marathoners as they get started. Note that the course does split between the end of the bridge and Mile 4 — if you want to see every runner, head north a little ways, toward Bay Ridge Avenue, where the courses come together again. This area is easily accessible on the R train, which runs right down 4th Avenue!
- Threes Brewing in Gowanus: Located at the corner of 4th Avenue and Douglass Street, Threes Brewing is in a prime marathon-viewing location, and the brewery is leaning in: There will be food, coffee, cold beer, and bathrooms so you can watch in comfort – and they’re offering free beer to marathon finishers who show their medals after the race.
- 4th Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, Mile 8: This area is one of the busiest cheer spots in the borough. Just hop on the B,D,N,Q,R,2,3,4, or 5 train to Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center to join in on the celebration! Choose your spot on the road, or head to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership’s cheer station at the corner of Ashland Place and Flatbush Avenue with live music, coffee, and cowbells.
- Lafayette Avenue, Miles 8-9: Just past the party on Flatbush, runners will turn onto Lafayette Avenue, where it might be easier to catch sight of your marathoner. For a little more fun, find the local run club Bed-Stuy Flyers at their cheer station at the corner of Bedford Avenue, right after Mile 9.
- Bedford Avenue, Miles 9-12: The people of Williamsburg and Greenpoint will be lined up along Bedford Avenue to cheer on runners as they blast through the nabe – including right through McCarren Park. Catch the G, L, J, or M train to the nabe, grab a coffee from your favorite shop, and find a place to join in!
- McGuinness Boulevard/Pulaski Bridge, Mile 13: The bridge itself is closed to spectators, but this is your last chance to cheer on the runners as they bid adieu to Brooklyn while crossing the halfway mark of the race! Take the G train to Greenpoint and watch the crowd head into Queens.
- Dahlgren place between the Verrazano Bridge and 92nd Street
- 92nd Street between Dahlgren Place and 4th Avenue
- Brooklyn-Queens Expressway southbound between the Verrazano Bridge and 79th Street
- Gatling Place/79th Street BQE ramp between 83rd Street and 79th Street
- 7th Avenue southbound between 79th Street and 74th Street
- 6th Avenue between 75th Street and 75th Street/Bay Ridge Parkway
- 75th Street/Bay Ridge Parkway between 7th Avenue and 4th Avenue
- Fort Hamilton Parkway between 92nd Street and 94th Street
- 94th Street between Fort Hamilton Parkway and 4th Avenue
- 4th Avenue between 94th Street and Flatbush Avenue
- Flatbush Avenue between 4th Avenue and Lafayette Avenue
- Lafayette Avenue between Flatbush Avenue and Bedford Avenue
- Bedford Avenue between Lafayette Avenue and Nassau Avenue
- Nassau Avenue between Bedford Avenue/Lorimer Street and Manhattan Avenue
- Manhattan Avenue between Nassau Avenue and Greenpoint Avenue
- Greenpoint avenue between Manhattan Avenue and McGuinness Boulevard
- McGuinness Boulevard southbound between Greenpoint Avenue and the Pulaski Bridge
- Pulaski Bridge southbound
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Marathon Street closures
A number of streets will be closed to cars in Brooklyn to accommodate the marathon course. Plan ahead, and stick to public transit to avoid delays! Here’s a list of all the street closures on November 3 and their approximate times, per the Department of Transportation. If you live on of near these streets, keep an eye out for DOT “No Parking” signs ahead of time!
According to the New York Road Runners, 4th Avenue will begin to reopen between 1:18-2:22 p.m., Flatbush and Lafayette avenues will reopen between 2:30-3 p.m., Bedford Avenue between 3:30 p.m., and McGuinness Boulevard at around 4 p.m.
Editor’s note: A version of this story originally ran in Brooklyn Paper. Click here to see the original story.
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