As the New York City Marathon approaches, runners are mentally preparing for the challenges they will face, particularly in the second half of the race. Notably, several key sections of the 26.2-mile course are known to be especially difficult, with many participants reporting struggles around Mile 15, Mile 18, and Mile 24.
One of the most challenging parts is the Queensboro Bridge, around Mile 15. Ameerah Omar, a co-captain of Girls Run NYC and a veteran of four marathons, described the bridge as the hardest stretch due to its uphill climb and lack of spectators. “You are left with your mind and your training, and that can be very challenging,” said Omar, a 45-year-old from Brooklyn. Her experience is mirrored by Amir Figueroa, who is participating in his sixth NYC Marathon. He noted that how he feels on the bridge is indicative of how the rest of his race will go.
After crossing the bridge, runners are met with cheers as they make their way up First Avenue. However, the excitement can be insufficient for some. According to the New York Road Runners, about 200 participants exited the race between Mile 18 and the 30K marker last year, which was the highest dropout rate for any segment of the marathon.
Strava data from the 2025 race indicates that runners typically experience a slowdown of approximately 16 percent at Mile 20 compared to their paces in the earlier miles, highlighting the physical toll of the course. Connie Brown, 82, from Sarasota, Florida, who is entering her 46th NYC Marathon, also shared her insights on the grind of the last seven miles. She remarked, “You get it in your head that you’re almost there, but you’re not.”
Another difficult area is Fifth Avenue, particularly around Mile 24. Jeff Thies, a 31-year-old runner in the sub-elite field, described this stretch as a gradual climb that can be deceptively tough. Strava data indicates that runners can experience a significant 21 percent slowdown at this point, marking the largest drop in pace throughout the race.
Rich Campbell, a 69-year-old Upper West Side resident who has run every New York City Marathon since 1999, emphasized that runners might face challenges at any point during the event. “Almost every runner has some issue along the 26 miles, whether it’s in Mile 1 or Mile 25,” he noted. “It’s a long event, so you have to just know that you can get through it, however you need to get through it.”
