The moment has arrived for NYC Marathon 2025 tracking, and whether you’re a running fan, supporting a friend, or simply curious about the race, you’ll want to be ready. On Sunday, November 2, 2025, the iconic TCS New York City Marathon will unfold across all five boroughs of New York City — and with thousands of runners and massive crowds, tracking tools are the essential link between you and the action.
In this article we’ll walk you through how to use the tracking features, what makes the 2025 edition special from a tracking standpoint, key start times, and tips for getting the most out of your experience.
Understanding the Tracking Tools for NYC Marathon 2025
When it comes to following the race live, the central tool is the official mobile application developed by New York Road Runners (NYRR). This app is designed to give supporters real-time information: location of runners, split times, live leaderboards, and more.
Key features include:
- Live runner tracking by name or bib number — helping you follow a specific participant throughout the 26.2-mile course.
- A spectator guide and course map, offering visuals of where runners are and where best to watch.
- Live and on-demand camera feeds from key locations like the start, finish, and major checkpoints.
- Push notifications and alerts for major milestones or updates relevant to tracking.
By using the app, you’ll be equipped to experience the race in a way that goes beyond just watching: you’ll be part of the journey.
Start Times & Key Windows for Tracking
To use tracking effectively, you should know when each division begins. That way, you’ll know when to start following and when splits will start posting. For 2025:
| Division | Start Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Men’s Professional Wheelchair | 8:00 a.m. |
| Women’s Professional Wheelchair | 8:02 a.m. |
| Handcycle & Select Athletes with Disabilities | 8:22 a.m. |
| Professional Women’s Open Division | 8:35 a.m. |
| Professional Men’s Open Division | 9:05 a.m. |
| Wave 1 (general mass start) | 9:10 a.m. |
| Wave 2 | 9:45 a.m. |
| Wave 3 | 10:20 a.m. |
| Wave 4 | 10:55 a.m. |
| Wave 5 | 11:30 a.m. |
These times help you set your watch, refresh your app, and plan when you’ll check in. Also remember: the tracking updates kick in after each runner crosses key timing mats, so there can be a brief delay rather than split-second movement.
What’s New for 2025 Tracking? Big Upgrades Worth Knowing
Tracking technology advances every year, and this year the NYC Marathon tracking experience includes several enhancements designed to improve accuracy, accessibility, and engagement. Some of the new improvements:
- More frequent split updates: The tracking system now captures data more often (e.g., smaller segment updates) so your runner’s progress appears smoother and more granular.
- Enhanced mobile map visuals showing runners’ locations live across the city streets — helpful if you’re spectating or monitoring remotely.
- Improved spectator functionality: The app now better supports multiple runners followed at once, making it easier for families or teams supporting more than one participant.
- Live-camera integration: Key sections of the course now have live camera links within the app, so you can switch between watching and tracking seamlessly.
Together, these upgrades mean your experience of NYC Marathon 2025 tracking will be richer and more interactive than ever before.
Practical Tips for Followers & Spectators
Whether you’re supporting a friend or simply following elite athletes, here are some tips to maximize your tracking experience:
- Download the app ahead of race day and make sure you’re familiar with its features – you don’t want to scramble on race morning.
- Bookmark the runner’s bib number and name early. Entering this info into the app ahead of time ensures you’re ready when race day rolls around.
- Enable notifications so you receive alerts when your runner hits major points (e.g., halfway mark, 5 K splits, finish approaching).
- If you plan to watch in person, use the spectator guide to pick viewing spots where your runner is likely to pass at an outstanding vantage point (for example: Verrazzano Bridge, First Avenue, Central Park finish).
- Prepare for delays: sometimes tracking updates lag slightly during peak activity or major crowds. It’s normal for your runner’s location to update a bit after they pass a checkpoint.
- Have your phone fully charged, or bring a portable charger if you’re tracking multiple runners or use the app extensively throughout the day.
Why Tracking Matters for Every Runner & Spectator
Tracking isn’t just a gadget — it adds layers of connection, excitement, and reassurance:
- For runners, knowing family and friends are following adds encouragement and motivation.
- For friends/family, you can switch from guessing “where are they now?” to knowing precisely.
- For remote spectators, tracking bridges the gap between being present and afar — you can cheer a runner on from across the country.
- For elite race watchers, tracking lets you monitor pacing strategies, see who surges or fades, and follow the unfolding competition in real time.
With the 2025 edition of the marathon bringing large fields of participants from around the world, digital tracking becomes an essential companion for the event.
Common Questions About NYC Marathon 2025 Tracking
Q: Is the tracking app free?
Yes — the NYRR tracking app for the race is free to download and use.
Q: Can I track multiple runners at once?
Absolutely. The app supports following more than one runner, so you can monitor friends, family, or team members simultaneously.
Q: What happens if the runner is in a late wave?
Even if your runner starts later (e.g., Wave 4 or 5), you can still use the app. Just note the estimated start time for their wave and begin tracking accordingly.
Q: Do I need to be in New York City to use tracking?
No. You can use the app from anywhere with an internet connection. Whether you’re watching from home or halfway across the world, you’ll receive updates.
Q: How accurate is the tracking?
While fairly precise, tracking depends on timing mats and network data. Some delay is normal at busy sections. The improvements in 2025 mean smaller gaps, but allow a minute or two for updates in crowded areas.
Tracking the Elite Runners and Beyond
One of the most exciting aspects of the marathon is following the world’s top runners alongside amateurs. With NYC Marathon 2025 tracking, you’ll be able to watch elite athletes in action: see how they progress, monitor split times, and observe pace shifts — all in real time.
But don’t limit yourself to just the elites — part of the magic is in tracking everyday runners too. Maybe it’s a friend chasing a personal record, a first-time marathoner, or a team running for charity. Tracking turns their moment into your moment.
Planning for Race Day: Timing, Views & Tracking Sequences
Here’s a sample timeline of how your morning could look using the tracking app:
- 6:30 a.m. – Wake up and ensure your phone is charged. Launch the app and verify the runner’s bib number is entered.
- 7:30 a.m. – If you’re on the course, move toward your viewing location. Enable push notifications in the app so you’ll know when they pass certain splits.
- 8:00 a.m. – The wheelchair race starts. Tracking begins for those divisions.
- 8:35–9:05 a.m. – Elite open divisions start. The tracking app will begin feeding splits for the top athletes.
- 9:10 a.m. onward – Mass-participation runners enter in waves. Whether your runner starts now or later, you’ll be set.
- After finishing – The tracking app will show the final time, splits, and finish verification. You can celebrate and share their result.
By structuring your morning this way, you’ll maximize both the tracking and the viewing experience.
The Broader Impact of Tracking – A Connected Marathon Experience
In past years, spectators were limited to whichever vantage point they could physically occupy. But thanks to advances in digital tracking and the NYRR app, the 2025 marathon will feel more inclusive and interactive than ever. Some of the broader benefits:
- Global reach: Supporters around the world can follow the race live, not just those in New York.
- Shared moments: Tracking allows for celebration across distances — you can message or live-share when your runner hits milestones.
- Data engagement: Seeing pace, splits, and runner progression adds another dimension to understanding what goes into a major marathon.
- Community building: As more people follow and celebrate runners, the event’s community grows and thrives beyond race day.
In this sense, the NYC Marathon becomes more than a physical race — it becomes a digital, connected experience.
Final Thoughts
The NYC Marathon 2025 tracking capabilities offer a richer, more connected way to engage with one of the world’s greatest marathon events. Whether you’re tracking a friend, supporting a team, or simply watching the elite competition, the tools are in place to make you feel part of the journey.
Download the app, input your runner’s info early, and get ready for a race day filled with passion, achievement, and real-time moments that matter.
Will you be tracking someone during the 2025 NYC Marathon? Share your plan or tell us who you’re supporting in the comments below—we’re excited to follow along with you!