On November 2, 2025, the rhythmic sound of thousands of footsteps echoed through Brooklyn’s 4th Avenue as the TCS New York City Marathon made its annual passage through the borough. But it wasn’t just the runners who defined the day — it was the people who filled the sidewalks. Teachers, families, students, and neighbors came together not only to cheer but to turn the city’s biggest sporting event into a block-by-block celebration of community.
Under the crisp autumn sunlight, 4th Avenue transformed into a corridor of encouragement. Dozens of bake sales cropped up along the marathon route — each table offering homemade cookies, brownies, and slices of banana bread, sold by local schools and community organizations raising funds for arts programs, sports teams, and student initiatives. Between the aroma of pastries and the steady chorus of cheers, it felt less like a marathon route and more like a neighborhood festival.
The runners came in waves — faces focused, determined, and yet often smiling. They were buoyed not just by adrenaline, but by the unmistakable warmth radiating from the crowd. Handmade signs dotted the route, each one an act of personal creativity and collective care. One sign read, “PAIN IS FRENCH FOR BREAD,” held high by a laughing spectator. Another, more heartfelt, proclaimed, “You’re our SHEro, Renee!” Nearby, a woman held up a poster that said, “You’ve got more stamina than my last three boyfriends combined,” drawing bursts of laughter from passing runners.
Moments like these defined the morning — spontaneous exchanges between strangers who might never meet again, yet shared an unspoken bond. The encouragement was loud, joyful, and deeply human. “Keep going!” one person shouted. “You’ve got this, Kerry!” yelled another, reading a runner’s name off her bib. These small, simple gestures — voices raised in support of people they didn’t know — captured the essence of what makes the marathon one of New York’s most beloved traditions.
The light shifted as the runners moved beneath the overpass near Union Street, where the cheers echoed and multiplied in the shadowed tunnel. Dozens of spectators leaned over railings and barriers, ringing cowbells and clapping in rhythm. A woman named Eleanor, wearing a blue athletic outfit and a wide smile, ran past as strangers cheered her name. Runners high-fived supporters along the way, the sound of palms meeting briefly punctuating the din.
The scene on 4th Avenue wasn’t just about endurance — it was about empathy. The marathon has long been a symbol of perseverance, but on this stretch of Brooklyn pavement, it became something quieter and more intimate: a shared reminder that effort, when met with encouragement, feels a little lighter.
The full story of the marathon — its runners, volunteers, and the city that carries them — can be found at https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon. Follow @nycmarathon for highlights and moments that remind us why, every November, New York City runs as one.
