On 1 November, 61,000 people ran in the 2026 New York City Marathon. We asked about the running gear – and motivations – that carried them to the finish line
The best women’s running shoes for roads and trails
The sea of orange thermal blankets, shiny medals and brightly colored running shoes is impossible to miss.
On 1 November, 61,000 people took over New York City’s streets for the 2026 NYC Marathon. Making it through the 26.2-mile race is a feat that takes grit, endurance and … the right gear.
Near Central Park, blocks from the finish line, I navigated swarms of proud parents and groups holding neon posters emblazoned “hot girls run marathons”, asking runners about their sneakers, energy fuel and shorts. (It turns out Nike Alphaflys are a marathon favorite.) When I couldn’t find exact matches for their items, I linked to brands with similar options.
From a 71-year-old who has run the NYC Marathon over 30 times to an Olympic trial qualifier who placed seventh in her age group – marathoners also shared what brought them to the starting line, with stories that remind us there is more than one way to be a runner, and just as many reasons to keep showing up.
Is the NYC Marathon inspiring you to run? Check out our guides to the best running gear for hot weather and cold weather, our review of the best running shoes for women and expert tips on how to choose the right shoe.
Ian Tibbals, 26, Rye, New York
“The marathons are the big day of the year for the whole running community to celebrate each other.”
Time: 2hr 28min 12sec
Has completed all six world marathon majors
The gear
Singlet: On “I used to have an Under Armour [short sleeve] T-shirt. It was sort of my lucky shirt. I’ve worn it all my races. And it was really hot [one] year in Berlin – it was like the mid-70s. So I was like, I’ll finally invest in a singlet.”
Shoes: Nike Alphafly 3s
Monica Hebner, 27, Austin, Texas
Time: 2hr 33min 21sec
Professional field athlete and 2024 Olympic trial qualifier
Bottoms: Bandit
Shoes: Puma R3s “They’re just fast. They respond well.”
Energy gels: Neversecond (berry flavor) “If you bonk from carbs, they cover you; if you bonk from sodium, they cover you.”
Polow Lynn, 47, Atlanta, Georgia
“In 2023, I was out on a run, and I had a brain aneurysm … I had to learn how to walk again … My goal when I got out of the hospital was to run a marathon.”
Time: 4hr 2min 50sec
Lululemon ambassador raising money for Brain Aneurysm Foundation
Top: Lululemon Hat: Lululemon Sunglasses: Ridar
Liam Draper, 26, Victoria, Australia
“[Running] just separated work and life balance for me, so that’s what got me into it. It’s created a community for me back home. We’ve just got our own little run club and stuff now.”
Time: 2hr 41min 50sec
Shoes: Nike Alphafly 4s “They said don’t test new things on race day and I did … They’re really good.”
Headphones: Shokz
Sunglasses: Oakley
Top: Nike “I went and got this singlet made up at the Nike shop. So they put the stickers on for me.”
Energy gels: Precision
Nick Santorelli, 30, New York City, New York
“This place, you don’t really need music because the crowd is so lively throughout. [Running] is my time to meditate and get in my own head a little bit every day.”
Time: 2hr 45min 25sec
Ran the Berlin marathon last month
Shoes: Nike Alphafly 4s “They just dropped, and they’re hard to get. The heel is a little different … I think the biggest thing is the weight. I noticed significantly, like a couple ounces makes a big difference, especially late in the race. Yeah, I like these a lot better than the 3s.”
Singlet: Nike Shorts: Soar Energy gels: Maurten caffeinated and non-caffeinated (NYC marathon fuel sponsor) “I took six gels today, one every 25 minutes, two caffeinated, one in a cup … There’s other brands that are entering the market, but for me it helps my stomach.”
Hong Jiang, 57, New Jersey
“ I started [running] from my age of 50 on my birthday. And I’m not an active runner before. But somehow, once in a while in my dream, I’m running on the track. So maybe God asked me to run.”
Time: 3hr 19min 30sec
Watch: Garmin 255 “On my 50th birthday, my husband gave me a running watch.”
Gels: Maurten (NYC marathon fuel sponsor)
Keegan Pepin, 24, New Hampshire
“I actually raised money for Komera … I wanted to do one marathon where it was meaningful.”
Time: 3hr 3min 18sec
Running for Komera, a foundation supporting girls’ education in Rwanda
Shoes: Hoka Rockets Top: “There’s a girl named Samantha McIntyre … So she made this shirt for her six-star race in Berlin. And now she’s giving it to one person for each world major. And so I got it for New York City. So it’s like the sisterhood of the traveling shirts.” Bottoms: Bandit
Watch: Garmin
Running belt: Spi Belt
Jaime Palacios, 71, New York City, New York
‘This is why I came [to the US from Ecuador], to run the NYC marathon, and I stay here.”
Time: 3hr 33min 23sec
Has run the NYC marathon over 30 times
Shoes: Asics Metaspeed
Rosangela Monaco, 55, New Jersey
“I always said if one day I raced a marathon, I would run the New York City [one].”
Shoes: Puma “Very comfortable … It’s my third pair.”
Shashank Sundar, 27, New York City, New York
“Great day, a little warmer than I would have thought, but I was going for sub three, so I got that.”
Time: 2hr 59min 48sec
Running for Girls on the Run, a non-profit supporting girls’ physical education
Shoes: Nike Alphaflys
Singlet: Bandit “I just got this a month ago.”
Bottoms: Rabbit “It has a decent amount of storage and stuff.”
Watch: Garmin Forerunner
Aurora Velazquez, 46, New York City, New York
“Running changes your life in different ways. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s really rewarding.”
Time: 3hr 13min 57sec
Shoes: Nike Alphafly “It helps you to [go] faster, I guess.”
Kathleen Busse, 59, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
“You see the mile marker and you stay in the mile and you try to be with the people you’re with.”
Time: 4hr 00min 12sec
Ran over 10 marathons
Shoes: Brooks Hyperion Elite “I usually always wear Alphaflys, but I wanted a little more stability, but still [have] a carbon plate.”
Energy gels: Buzz Hny+
Top: Bandit “This is the first time I’ve had the pockets. And I love the pockets.”
Bottom: Tracksmith
Socks: Tracksmith
