How many clichés can we fit into one intro? Here goes! Da Big Apple, the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, and next weekend it won’t be “I’m walkin’ here!” but for 50,000 people+, it’ll be “I’m runnin’ here!” for the 2025 New York City Marathon. From the streets of Shaolin (Staten Island) up through the Brooklyn zoo, straight over QB to the island of Manhattan, to Boogie-Down Bronx where they specialise in run-play, back South in Harlem World before you finish in a New York State of Mind in Central Park.

OK, enough of the puns. Here’s our guide to some gems to hit if you’re in town for the marathon (or any time for that matter).

1. For all things breakfast and lunch (and a thoroughly relaxed day) secure a reservation at Chez Ma Tante and head on over to Greenpoint, Brooklyn for their incredible daytime menu. The pancakes are made in an iron skillet and are unbelievable, but best paired with something savoury like the Shakshuka for some contrast. Not lucky enough for a seat? Grab a coffee from Rhythm Zero and walk on to Blue Light Speakcheesy for their rotating breakfast special of the day. 

Whilst you’re there, hit Yoseka to explore and shop the incredible world of Japanese stationery, then check out Bandit’s store (tell them Runlimited say hi!) around the corner before browsing books at WORD! Doesn’t that sound like a nice day?

2. If you’re in the mood for something different, dinner can be taken care of at Hangawi in Koreatown. Another place it’s highly recommended to get a reservation, you’ll wander through the craziness and lights of Midtown’s K-Town district and into an oasis of serenity at Hangawi. Shoes off at the front, please! You’re given a pair of slippers and guided to ground level seats, or even cushions on the floor in a wood bedecked space inspired by traditional Korean living. The set menu is all veggie and you cannot go wrong for food and atmosphere.

3. The city never sleeps because caffeine fix is never far away in New York City, where you can get a Cup O’ Joe on pretty much any corner at any time of day or night. The aforementioned Rhythm Zero over in Greenpoint has an outpost in the West Village (a joint space with Bandit Running). Other options include Sey in Bushwick and La Cabra in the East Village. Tea preferred? Head on up to Alice’s Tea Cup on the Upper West Side or Upper East Side locations for a peek behind the looking glass and to see how the other half live in the posh UWS.

4. Post race you should be checking out any number of NY’s bars. Hard To Explain is a Saké bar in the East Village that has ambient lighting and an incredible selection of drinks for a chance to decompress and bathe in the glory of finishing your race. For something more lively, the Spring Lounge is an institution of the city, a classic dive bar for slugging back pints in a mid-century bar complete with lively crowd and rapid bartending. Metal and rock fans should drop by the grungy Old Rabbit Club 124 where a beer menu as long as a novel is thrown at you over the noisy speakers pumping out riffs of all kinds.

5. Interested in exploring the cultural side of NY? For history, architecture and a lovely walk, take the 1, 2, 3, or A subway to Dyckman Street and the northern reaches of Manhattan. Wander through Fort Tryon Park to the MET Cloisters Museum. The beautiful Mediterranean-inspired building complex houses a huge collection of medieval and renaissance art and artifacts including the breathtaking Unicorn Tapestries. The courtyard garden is a haven in the sun, and on a clear day you have a view down the Hudson River of the George Washington Bridge, the New Jersey Palisades and lower Manhattan.

Bonus: NYC Marathon events and popups to check out:

• - SOAR are hosting their first ever NYC pop-up from Rapha in the Lower East Side. They’ll be running sessions, dropping new gear and slinging coffee all weekend.
• - Bandit Running’s NYC events are always the star of their calendar, celebrating their home city. Expect an exclusive collection, huge shakeout runs and a post-race party!
• - Tracksmith’s Trackhouse in Brooklyn and their pop-up location on Mott St in Manhattan will be hosting events all weekend, including their ubiquitous poster-printing, a magazine launch, shakeouts and more.

• Stay tuned to Marathon Weekend for all things NYC Marathon events!

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Images by Adrian Varzaru

Writing by Liam Dee