Your Guide to the NYC Marathon Expo

Knowing what's there can help you conserve your energy for the race, while still stocking up and celebrating.

The world’s largest marathon also has the world’s largest expo.

As with every other aspect of the New York City Marathon, you will get the most out of it by knowing what to expect. This post will provide a high level overview. I will revisit this as the TCS NYC Marathon app is updated, as it will provide additional detail.

1. Number and T-Shirt Pickup

Picking up your number is the most important part of the expo. You will need the following to pick up your number:

• ·Your confirmation form (printed or digital). I always bring a paper copy

• Photo identification. Driver's license, government ID, passport. A printed copy of the passport works

• You need to pick up your number yourself

• There is no number pickup once the expo closes

After getting your number you will pick up your t-shirt. The New Balance shirts tend to run narrow and long. You have an opportunity to try on sizes of t-shirts prior to getting yours.

One note: some sizes ran out of stock on the first day of the expo last year. I doubt this will happen again, but if you want to get your size it’s probably safer to pick up your shirt as early as possible.

2. New Balance Store

After picking up your number you must pass through the massive section with NYC Marathon merchandise from New Balance.

This is America so there is no shortage of merchandise!

• Apparel (short and long sleeve t-shirts, shorts and tights, jackets and hoodies)

• Accessories: socks, shoes, hats, gloves, headbands

• Storage: duffel bags, backpacks, belts, etc.

Go to the New Balance website under NYRR and you can get a sense of what will be available. You can even purchase your items now, so you don’t have to bring them home in your luggage.

If you don't like the New Balance merchandise, there are other NYC marathon designs available in the general exhibit section.

You also don't have to buy anything. You can also bypass the cash registers to get to the main exhibits.

Keep an eye out for photo booths like this one.

3. General Exhibits

After the New Balance Store there are many more places to buy all kinds of merchandise and see offerings from sponsors. This is my favorite part of the expo by far.

Here are some helpful places to stop.

• Purchase nutritional items for the race: gels, etc.

• Blank signs: your loved ones can make signs to support you on the course. The following booths usually have signs:

  • TCS

  • MasterCard

• Pace bands: you can enter your time and get a pace band printed out.

• Selfie stations:

  • There are many great backgrounds for selfies provided by New York Road Runners

  • In the past, others have had booths where you can take a photo and get it printed

• Disposable coveralls:

  • For US$20 or so, I purchase a disposable jacket and pants. If the weather is cold, I wear this in the corral and on the bridge.

• United Airlines and Abbott usually have great booths

There are many other vendors

• Different marathons around the world

• Apparel from companies other than New Balance

• Physiotherapy devices, and more

I was able to meet Paula Radcliffe a few years ago at the expo.

Don't worry about going at your appointment time. I’ve never seen anyone stopped because they’re picking up their number at the wrong time.

The expo is open for bib pickup:

• Thursday, 31 November: 10am to 7:30pm

• Friday, 1 November: 10am to 7:30pm

• Saturday, 2 November: 9am to 4:30pm

The expo is HUGE and tiring. I recommend going on Thursday or Friday, so you don't wear yourself out. Again, you can pick your number up at a day and time different from what you’re assigned.