NYRR Opens Grand Central Exhibit Celebrating 50 Years of NYC Marathon
New York Road Runners (NYRR) opened a free marathon history exhibition at Grand Central Terminal on 27 October 2026, marking 50 years since the New York City Marathon expanded beyond Central Park to cover all five boroughs, according to ABC7 New York.
The exhibition, called “50 Years Through the Five Boroughs Experience”, runs through 30 October inside Vanderbilt Hall. It celebrates the marathon’s 1976 transformation from a race held entirely in Central Park into a 26.2-mile route connecting Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.
Visitors Can Explore the Marathon Route
According to NYRR, visitors begin their journey at a replica of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, representing the Staten Island starting line, before exploring installations highlighting the character of each borough.
An interactive walking track encourages visitors to contribute towards a collective target of 1,976,000 steps, honouring the year the race adopted its five-borough course. A digital scoreboard tracks participants’ progress, including steps, distance and completed laps.
The Queens display, supported by Tata Consultancy Services, features a video presentation of the marathon course. In Brooklyn, Justworks sponsors activities celebrating local businesses, including opportunities to create signs encouraging runners.
The Bronx installation, presented with GetYourGuide, features live DJ performances reflecting the borough’s hip-hop heritage. Manhattan’s activities include merchandise giveaways, Shake Shack vouchers and a marathon finish-line photo opportunity.
Marathon Anniversary Connects Runners and New Yorkers
NYRR chief executive Rob Simmelkjaer told ABC7 New York, “And I think it’s the day that unites our city, because every New Yorker respects and loves the marathon and wants to see these runners succeed.”
The exhibition also features a digital wall displaying registered participants’ names. Approximately 60,000 runners are expected to compete in the marathon on 1 November, according to ABC7 New York.
Admission is free, with opening hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 27 October and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from 28 through 30 October, according to NYRR.
