NYC Marathon Mile by Mile - Miles 3 through 7

Use this straight 5 mile stretch through Bay Ridge Brooklyn to establish your pace. Acclimate to being part of a massive runner's wave!

This is what the Bay Ridge portion of the NYC Marathon looks like. A massive wave of people spanning a multi-lane street.

Mile 3: Entering Brooklyn

Mile 3 elevation gain: +8 meters (+24 feet)

Best Part: Your first spectators in Bay Ridge

Photo Opportunity: Brooklyn-specific signs from hard-core Brooklynites

As you come off the bridge, you are now in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. You’ll be greeted by spectators who will have their Brooklyn pride on display! Most of the families living in Bay Ridge have lived there for decades. These are not hipsters.

You’ll have room to run, as the runners in the other 2 color groups will not yet merge. If you are still wearing an extra clothing layer, this is a good time to discard it.

The first aid station is during Mile 3. Gatorade usually comes first, then water. Nearly every aid station will have supplies available on both sides of the road. If you miss a station, don’t worry too much about it. You will encounter an aid station at every mile, except on the Queensboro Bridge.

Miles 4 to 7: Straight down 4^th Avenue

Mile 4 elevation gain: +1 meter (+2 feet)

Mile 5 elevation gain: Minus 3 meters (minus 12 feet)

Mile 6 elevation gain: Minus 10m (minus 30 feet)

Mile 7 elevation gain: minus 4m (minus 16 feet)

Best Part: Being able to get into a steady running rhythm

Watch Out: If you’re in the Blue and Pink waves, you will merging during Mile 3

I love the straight, flat 5 miles on 4^th Avenue between the Mile 3 to Mile 8 markers. 4^th Avenue is a large, divided road, so there’s lots of running room.

If your supporters can navigate the subway, this is a great place for them to meet you. It’s early in the race, so it’s easy to predict when you will pass. They can take the N or R train from Manhattan. Once they see you, they can make the journey back to Manhattan and see you on 1^st and 5^th Avenues, or they can try to see you later in Brooklyn (Mile 8) or Queens (between Mile 14 and 15).

If your supporters see you from the 4 Mile to 8 Mile marker, they need to know what color bib you have and what side of the read to meet.

If you have an Orange bib, you should plan on meeting them on the left (west) side of 4^th Avenue. If you have a Blue or Pink bib, they should wait for you on the right (east) side of 4^th Avenue.