For everyone gearing up for the Big Apple’s on November 4, it’s time to get familiar with the course.

The beauty of the New York City Marathon is that it traverses all five boroughs of the city—Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Manhattan—

which gives participants a taste of the different neighborhoods and spectators plenty of room to cheer.

The starting line at New York is unlike anything else in the world. More than 50,000 runners arrive at Fort Wadsworth,

Staten Island, early on Sunday morning before checking into their designated starting village (this is listed on your bib number).

Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time before the start—the wheelchair race kicks off at 8:30 a.m.

and the last wave of runners departs at 11 a.m.—to find your correct corral, pay a visit to the porta-potty, and have any prerace fuel. 

These next 11 miles should feel smooth and steady, thanks to the relatively flat streets of Brooklyn.

As you settle into your pace, make sure to enjoy the colorful quirks of each neighborhood in the borough,

from the trendy restaurants in Park Slope to the charming tree-lined streets on Lafayette Avenue to the lively crowds in Williamsburg.

Remember to hold back a bit in this section, as it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement on the easy grade—you’ll want to save your legs for the hills ahead.

Near the midpoint of the race, prepare yourself for the Queensboro Bridge at mile 14. While the vantage point offers beautiful views,

the climb up the bridge is tough, and the absence of spectators on this stretch can be mentally challenging. Focus on maintaining your pace here,

and be sure to run on the special race carpet, as the real surface of the bridge is spiky.

If you’re feeling good, try picking up the pace a bit (within reason) on this flat, three-mile stretch,

letting the thundering shouts of support carry you through the distance. 

Crossing into The Bronx, you’ll notice the crowds have thinned from First Avenue. This is a great time to turn your attention inward,

focusing on your stride and taking in any fuel and hydration you need to bust through the 20-mile barrier.

You might even break out a motivational mantra here, such as “You got this!” or “Strong mind, strong body.”

Look out for the bands and dancers at the Entertainment Zone at 139th and Morris Avenue.