NYC Marathon in Bay Ridge- 11/7
Sunday, November 7th is the NYC Marathon. Registration took place in the Spring.
Calm before that marathon ???? #bayridge #brooklyn #nyc #nycmarathon #snapseed #goodmorning #igbrooklyn #verrazanobridge pic.twitter.com/HNF8tB490m
— Bay Rizz (@mayorbayrizz) November 7, 2021
Helicopters always fly around in Bay Ridge the two days before to survey the area – not just here, but the whole running route.
They also paint the blue line on the street and put the barricades on 4th Avenue.
On Saturday, November 6th, don’t park on 4th Avenue after 3:00 pm – the police will tow cars that are on the running route to a new area. If your car gets towed, you can find out where they towed it to here.
What time does the Verrazzano Bridge close?
On Saturday, November 6th, the upper level of the bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions beginning at 11 pm.
The whole bridge closes at 7:00 am on Sunday morning and reopens at 4:00 pm.
Every runner is given a color – blue, green or orange and that determines what streets they are running on. (See map above)
This is the times people begin the Marathon in Staten Island:
8 a.m. — Professional wheelchair division
8:22 a.m. — Handcycle category and select athletes with disabilities
8:40 a.m. — Professional women’s open division
9:05 a.m. — Professional men’s open division
9:10 a.m. — Wave 1
9:55 a.m. — Wave 2
10:40 a.m. — Wave 3
11:20 a.m. — Wave 4
12 p.m. — Wave 5
The runners come out from the top level and lower level of the Verrazzano Bridge at the same time. They assign the runners three colors (blue, green and orange) and send out groups over the bridge for at several hours.
Bay Ridge is a great place to watch the parade because the runners are excited and appreciate the crowds cheering as they start the marathon. It’s a very exciting morning here.
Here’s the celebrities that are running this year
This was the old street closure and re-opening times in Bay Ridge Street:
What streets will the runners be on in Bay Ridge?
The runners exit at two different areas in Bay Ridge (see map above). One group exits at Dahlgren and then go west on 92 Street and then North on 4th Avenue to get through Brooklyn.
The other route stays on BQE, then exits at 7th Avenue and 79 Street, (it looks like they are still exiting there…I’ll update if I see anything) and they run up Bay Ridge Parkway, then West until 4th Avenue and rejoins the other group.
What time does the Marathon begin and when are the runners in Bay Ridge?
The elite runners start in Staten Island at 8:40 am and show up in Bay Ridge around 9:05 – 9:20 am.
Some runners don’t have start times until 10:30 am or later.
What time do the streets and bridge open again?
The streets and bridge open after 3:00 pm. Traffic to Staten Island isn’t bad after the bridge opens.
Around 2:15 or 2:30 pm, there will be no more runners and there will be a quick cleanup of the street. The bridge will reopen and for a little bit there will be traffic, but then it isn’t bad after the bridge has been open for a bit.
Yard Sales are Popular During the Marathon
Six Family Sale on Ovington Avenue and 6th Ave. They are raising money from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm for the domestic violence shelter and Strides for breast cancer.
How can I get around with a car in Bay Ridge?
If you need to get around on Sunday, November 7th, put your car below 4th Avenue on Saturday. Then you can travel across 2nd Avenue to get to places in Brooklyn.
If you can avoid driving on the Belt, avoid it. The Belt Parkway is open, but in previous years the police closed Exit 2 because it caused cars to be backed up on the highway. Exit 1 on the Belt was open, so try to avoid it if you can.
Third Avenue is open, but there is usually more traffic because 4th is closed.
Trains are not affected by the marathon, so you can cross underground at subway stations.
How can I walk across 4th Avenue where the runners are?
People just wait for a time when there are no runners and then they cross the street (but if it is a busy time during the marathon, that might not happen for a little bit). See the picture above shows a Father and children booking across the street during the marathon. Below is a man briskly walking while there are no runners.
OR
You can go to the subway station, go down the stairs, walk across and up the other stairs. You can do this at the 95th, 77th and Bay Ridge Avenue stations. The 86th Street is closed on one side so it won’t work here.
Where’s a good place to stand?
Anywhere on 4th Avenue is good. Many people love being near 92nd or 79th Streets to welcome the runners.
In past years, there was a water station and a band at 4th Avenue and 83rd Street.
These bands are playing during the 2021 Marathon:
Plain Jane will be playing at 79th Street & 4th Avenue at 9:00 AM
Brewster Moonface will be playing on 86th Street and 4th Avenue.
The Tash Brothers will be playing outside of Bay Ridge Honda 8801 4th Avenue at 9:30 AM
In past years, there has been a steel drum band near the Lutheran Church on Ovington Avenue.
In past years, there were bagpipers near 68th Precinct.
What should you bring? Some friends, a coffee and a cool sign for your friends who are running.
In Sunset Park – Irish Haven is open at 8:00 am to cheer on the runners!
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Hugs,
marlene
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