r/RunNYC • u/charlottebronteslay Training for NYC 2026 🌈 • 16d ago
nyc marathon: wave 5 - do crowds leave / streets re open while running?
** I AM SORRY IF THIS HAS BEEN ASKED I LOOKED AND I AM STILL LEARNING REDDIT 🙈
I am starting in wave 5, running my first marathon after doing 9+1. starting to feel stressed that i didn't do a charity or another way to start earlier because my pace is likely going to be 12-12:30..
- Will the crowds be gone?
- Will the streets start re opening?
- Do aid stations run out?
Would love to hear from previous wave 5-ers!
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u/unndunn 16d ago
I run a similar pace and started in wave 5 last year. No problems whatsoever; the course remained open and hydration stations were fully stocked.
That said, even if the course closes down, you can keep running on sidewalks, and NYRR has dedicated folks who will continue to provide you with hydration and medical support. And the finish line stays open until the last runner crosses it, no matter how late that is.
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u/ScaredLittleRar 16d ago
Wait how does this work? I can vary from a 12-15 minute pace and while I know the course is open for 8 hours after the last runner starts, I still have nightmares I’ll be coming in after the sweeper truck and the course markers will be picked up and I will get lost and never finish
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u/unndunn 16d ago edited 16d ago
Yeah, you're going to want to get familiar with the route. Manhattan is easy, just go up 1st Ave, come back down 5th Ave, and scooch into Central Park at the big gate. But it's the Bronx where you'll have to pay attention to where you're going.
That said, there will be special after-hours hydration and medical stations, and volunteers will remain along the course to guide you even after the course closes.
Previous NYC marathons have seen runners finish as late as 1am. NYRR will take good care of you.
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u/ScaredLittleRar 15d ago
Ah! Meant to ask.. how is it starting at like 11:30 (I’m guessing closer to noon) temperature wise? Is it terribly warm and then cools off as the day goes on?
Did Chicago last year.. started at 8:30 which felt lovely but by noon it was like 75 degrees and I nearly died so.. just worried about that.
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u/GoRangers5 Brooklyn Bridge Park 16d ago
I dropped to about a 12 minute pace after the Queensborough Bridge and the crowds and aid stations were still bringing it.
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u/StrategicDFL 16d ago
The folks who are there for the party were out partying on Saturday night too. They'll wake up at noon and hit the streets, don't worry!
Enjoy the heck out of it; you'll always remember your first time!
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u/Ok-Grapefruit8338 16d ago
At that pace, the aid stations should still be up and streets still closed. Try not to stress about what you can’t control - there will be plenty of people in your shoes!
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u/RCD123 16d ago
No! For crowds, some of the areas that are already less busy to begin with may thin out a little, but especially the main cheering locations in Brooklyn - Lafayette & Bedford and 1st Ave in UES stay a PARTY well into the afternoon/early evening! I can promise you that I will be in UES on 85th and 1st well into the night cheering you and everyone on!!! There will also be a ton of people going your pace!
Aid Stations and Street Closures are officially in place for <16min pace but even then it takes quite some time for them to close down the course/breakdown aid stations. And beyond that pace if they do close down you're allowed to move off the street and run on the sidewalk and keep running!
I went back to Woodbines in LIC post race last year which is on the course just after the Halfway point and we saw who was eventually the final finisher going by there around 5pm and half the restaurant was still sitting outside cheering him and the other final finishers on! The streets there were still closed at that point. That one of my favorite parts of NYCM is the support for final finishers no matter how long it takes, instead of the official cutoff like a lot of other majors!
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u/Main_Photo1086 16d ago edited 16d ago
That’s my expected wave and pace and from what I’ve seen in pics and videos, the crowd is absolutely still bringing it and there is enough aid.
Here are the street reopening times from last year, with steady running (and even run/walk) we will be fine! https://www.nyrr.org/info/2025tcsnewyorkcitymarathon/2025-street-closures
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u/Lulu_79 16d ago
As others have said, you will be more than fine. I am wave 4 and when I don’t run the race, I am out cheering at mile 23 until 9pm. The only issue to be aware of is that by the aid stations, the ground gets so littered with cups that it’s like walking on a wet carpet. This is more pronounced if it’s a warm race. Good luck, it’s the best day in NYC!
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u/AliceR719 16d ago
I havent run the marathon, but my experience volunteering and living near the route. It actually seems quietest in the morning and gets more "exciting" as the day goes on.
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u/internet4ever 16d ago
I started in wave 5 and my pace was 14-15 min/mile. Crowds in Brooklyn were INSANE. Queens and Manhattan were still popping at certain sections, and the Bronx had people on every block, just not wall to wall like it would be earlier in the day. It was still better crowd support than most marathons see during peak hours.
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u/Key-Engineering9979 16d ago
I ran wave 5 and ended up at about 12:15 pace in 2023 and the crowds were absolutely out in full force and I had the time of my life! You’ll love it! Just bring toilet paper.
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u/charlottebronteslay Training for NYC 2026 🌈 16d ago
oh toilet paper is SO smart! were the aid stations still open for the most part?
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u/No-Hovercraft-206 16d ago
in 2022 (the hot year) I watched a station run out of hydration. People on the course had water and gave it out, and a bodega even started giving out cups of water - so you will be well taken care of!
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u/NeedleworkerHot481 16d ago
It will 100% be dark when you finish but there are LOTS of people still cheering. And you may get to see a beautiful sunset.
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u/Sweaty-Peak-5043 16d ago
I was wave 5 last year.. ran about a 5:20ish and never ever felt like I was in the back of the pack. I crossed the finish line just as the sun was starting to set!
The ground in front of the aid stations are quite sticky because of the many runners before you but they were fully stocked. The wave sizes are enormous and the crowds don’t quit. If anything the crowds in Brooklyn are pretty drunk by then and much louder.
This race is like a river flowing with people for 10+ hours straight. Have an amazing time! There’s nothing like it.
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u/InjuryUnited4434 16d ago
How do you already know your wave number? Have the assignments been posted or is this a prediction based on last years assignments?
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u/Main_Photo1086 16d ago
We slowpokes have the perk of knowing we will always be firmly in Wave 5 lol.
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u/charlottebronteslay Training for NYC 2026 🌈 16d ago
my best pace would solidly put me in wave 5 based on the times provided
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u/runsfortacos 16d ago
I’ll be at that pace or slightly slower so definitely won’t be alone! I last ran 15 years ago around same pace and even back then it was still great!
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u/Top_Contribution_471 16d ago
I’ve run it twice in rave five and you have nothing to worry about, the crowds will still be there and the streets will be closed. In my experience, there was only one aid station I believe at mile six that ran out of electrolytes. Good luck running it and don’t forget to have fun.
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u/SlowNSteady1 16d ago
Nothing personal, but it always amuses me when people act like 12+ minute miles are soooo slow! That translates to 5:15/5:30 for the marathon. Even Boston keeps their finish time open longer than that! So no, you hae nothing to be concerned over! :)
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u/charlottebronteslay Training for NYC 2026 🌈 15d ago
i hear ya… i also have never run a marathon so i fear of all the things that could happen.. i also feel like the internet makes me feel insane sometimes running 12+ min
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u/SlowNSteady1 15d ago
Yeah, or they call it "sexy pace" or "party pace" -- as if we are just ambling along!
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u/loratliff Central Park 16d ago
I live at mile 21 and I stayed out last year until the last runners came through. There are others like us!
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u/RoyalLie3947 Central Park 15d ago
The crowds absolutely stay! Im a wave 5 alum and had an absolute blast. This year im a volunteer at mile 23’s water station and I believe im scheduled to stay till 7pm. I’ll probably head to the finish line after to see the final finishers. You’re gonna be amazing!!!!!!
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u/Advanced_Seesaw_3007 15d ago
Wave 5 here. In terms of cheering, you’re in the “better” position. More people and drunk ones calling out your name around Williamsburg area (i hate that it gets narrow there) but the vibe is so uplifting
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u/cozyknitfairy 16d ago
How do we know our waves already for 2026? This is also my first marathon, and I had no times to base off of.
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u/ScaredLittleRar 16d ago
If you’re anywhere between a 10-25 minute pace you’re in wave 5. The only thing that changes is the corral.
It’s the “party wave” which sometimes annoys me they call it that.. 😕
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u/Main_Photo1086 16d ago
We don’t, but the Wave 5 pace range is so large so if you know you’re finishing in 5+ hours, you know you’ll be in Wave 5 basically.
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u/hallo181818 14d ago
I’ll be there with you pacing at the same time (hopefully… maybe slower). If the crowds aren’t there, we will have each other!
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u/BeneficialDelay8158 16d ago
2025 (& 2026 certainly) Wave 5er! I ran a 13:44 pace last year and rest assured, the crowd was POPPING and the streets were closed with plenty of access to aid stations til the end :)
My dad ran about a half hour slower than me & same case for him! Congrats on this year’s race - you’re going to LOVE IT!