​NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Andreas Almgren of Sweden reacts as he crosses the finish line to place first in the Men’s Pro division during the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on November 01, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) GettyEvery November, the streets of New York City become the stage for one of the world’s most recognizable sporting events. Thousands of runners cross bridges, navigate crowded avenues, and push themselves through 26.2 miles while millions of spectators turn the five boroughs into a celebration of endurance and community.In 2026, the New York City Marathon marks the 50th anniversary of its historic five-borough course. Although the marathon itself began in 1970 and celebrated its 50th running in 2021, it was the introduction of the citywide route in 1976 that transformed the event into the international spectacle recognized today.The inaugural marathon on September 13, 1970, looked nothing like the modern competition. Organized by New York Road Runners, the race featured just 127 entrants, a $1 registration fee, and a budget of approximately $1,000.Only 55 runners crossed the finish line after completing multiple laps around Central Park.Fred Lebow and Vince Chiappetta helped establish the event, but its eventual expansion required a much larger vision. By 1976, organizers had moved the marathon beyond Central Park and into all five boroughs, creating a course that connected Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan.That first citywide race attracted 2,090 entrants, signaling the beginning of a new era in distance running.Celebrating the People Who Built the RaceAs part of the anniversary, New York Road Runners recognized five foundational figures known as the Trailblazers: Ted Corbitt, George Hirsch, Fred Lebow, George Spitz, and Percy Sutton. Each played a distinct role in establishing the five-borough marathon, from imagining a citywide course to building the political and organizational support necessary to make it happen.Corbitt, a pioneering Black distance runner and former Olympian, received particular recognition following historical research commissioned by New York Road Runners.Researchers concluded that he was the first person within the organization to propose expanding the race beyond Central Park. Sutton, then Manhattan borough president, was instrumental in securing support for the ambitious expansion.The original five-borough race also carried a larger cultural purpose. Held during the United States Bicentennial in 1976, the marathon offered New York an opportunity to present itself as a united city at a time when it faced substantial economic and social challenges.Legendary Champions and the Evolution of Marathon RunningThroughout its history, the New York City Marathon has helped elevate distance runners into international sports stars. Bill Rodgers dominated the men’s competition with four consecutive victories from 1976 through 1979, while Norway’s Gre