NYC Marathon Weekend Kicks Off With 50th Anniversary Celebration

Race weekend for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon officially began Friday evening with New York Road Runners' annual Opening Ceremony at the finish line in Central Park. This year's event marked the 50th anniversary of the marathon's five-borough course, first run in 1976. The ceremony, presented by United Airlines, inducted women's running pioneer Lynn Blackstone and marathon co-founders George Hirsch and the late Percy Sutton into the NYRR Hall of Fame. Late Olympian and coach Jeff Galloway received the 2026 Abebe Bikila Award. NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer and Race Director Ted Metellus gave opening remarks, followed by a Parade of Nations featuring runners from around the world, honorary grand marshals, past champions and youth program participants. More than 50 former marathon winners attended, including Kathrine Switzer, Gary Muhrcke, Sharon Lokedi and Tegla Loroupe, alongside veterans of the original 1976 race like Fred Abramowitz and Dave Obelkevich. The marathon itself runs Sunday, with defending champions Hellen Obiri, Benson Kipruto and wheelchair star Marcel Hug leading a field stacked with Olympians and national record holders. Eyewitness News anchors Liz Cho and Mike Marza will also run, raising money for the Alzheimer's Association in support of former colleague Bill Ritter. Coverage begins at 7 a.m. Sunday on Channel 7.