The 2024 NYC Marathon is on Sunday. Here’s what you need to know.

Mere hours after setting their clocks back for the end of daylight saving time, tens of thousands of runners – and no bicycles – will hit the pavement on Sunday for the New York City Marathon.

Whether you’re planning to cheer from the sidelines, watch from home, or just want to avoid getting stuck in traffic, here’s what you need to know.

How’s the weather?

The forecast looks promising for race day conditions, with little wind, mostly sunny skies and temperatures rising from the low 50s to the high 60s throughout the day.

Morning temperatures are set to hover around 50 degrees, and will climb into the low 60s by the afternoon — a sweet spot for both runners and spectators. If you're cheering along, bring layers as well as water, sunscreen and some snacks.

When and where does it start?

The professional divisions kick off the marathon, with wheelchair athletes at 8 a.m., handcycles and select athletes with disabilities at 8:22 a.m., women at 8:35 a.m. and men at 9:05 a.m. Five subsequent waves roll out through 11:30 a.m.

Runners will start on Staten Island and cross the Verrazzano Bridge into Brooklyn. From there, they'll run up to Long Island City, traverse the Queensboro Bridge and move north along First Avenue, with a brief dip into the Bronx before they double back into Manhattan and make for the finish line in Central Park.

There are course maps available here. If you’re planning to watch from the beginning, note that access to the Staten Island starting area is restricted to runners and race personnel.

What roads are closed?

All of them. Just kidding, but seriously – a lot of roads are closed. You can find a list at the bottom of the page here and MTA service changes here.

What are some fun spots to watch from?

If you don’t have access to a friend’s roof, balcony or fire escape on the route, or if you just prefer to be at street level, here are some favorite spots:

• Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn coming up through Bay Ridge and into Park Slope is known for live music and large crowds early in the day, when runners are feeling good.
• First Avenue in Manhattan is often packed with loud, boisterous crowds cheering runners on after the surprisingly tough elevation of the Queensboro Bridge.
• The finish line is inside Central Park at 67th Street on the West Side. Paid tickets are required for the bleacher seating, but you can snag standing spots stretching from Columbus Circle up to the bleachers if you get there early.

How can I watch from home?

If you’re looking to cozy up on the couch, the marathon will be broadcast live. In New York, you can tune in to ABC7 starting at 8 a.m., or stream online here. ESPN2 also carries the race on cable and streaming.

This year's marathon has a new two-hour live show from the finish line that will feature stories of celebrities, athletes and regular runners crossing the finish line. It starts at 3 p.m.