New York City Marathon 2026: Cheers, Runners, and Signs Along Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue

Collage of runners and spectators holding humorous signs at the 2026 New York City Marathon in Brooklyn.

A Fixed Moment · NYC Events & Sports

  |   Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn   |   Photography by Richard Scalzo


The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon brought runners through Brooklyn on Sunday, November 1, as spectators lined Fourth Avenue with signs, cheers and plenty of encouragement.

There was no shortage of humor along the route. Handmade signs offered everything from “Go Random Stranger Go” to “AI Could Never,” while runners responded with waves, thumbs-up and quick exchanges with the people cheering them on.

Among the scenes along Fourth Avenue were a runner pushing a participant in an adaptive racing chair, an athlete running on prostheses and runners wearing shirts representing causes and organizations. For some, the marathon was the culmination of months of preparation; for others, the day carried personal significance that a photograph alone cannot fully explain.

What was visible was the support. Strangers cheered for strangers, and runners acknowledged them as the miles continued. It was one of those life-affirming mornings when the effort of taking on a difficult challenge was met with encouragement from the sidelines.

The race followed Saturday night’s Village Halloween Parade. Later on Sunday, Brooklyn Borough Hall hosted Stoop Sessions: Freedom Song, bringing music and calls for voter participation to Downtown Brooklyn. They were three very different events in one busy New York weekend.

These photographs capture a selection of moments from Fourth Avenue. The runners, their supporters and the signs tell the rest of the story.

Along Fourth Avenue

Runners, spectators and brief moments of connection during the 2026 New York City Marathon.

A broad view of runners and spectators stretching into the distance on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn.
Marathon runners and spectators fill Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.
A runner in a black sleeveless top pushes a participant seated in a yellow adaptive racing chair.
A runner pushes a participant in an adaptive racing chair through Brooklyn. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.
A runner with bib 17198 moves through the marathon on two running prostheses.
Runner 17198 travels along Fourth Avenue on running prostheses. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.
A marathon runner leans toward a spectator reaching over the course barrier.
A runner and a spectator reach toward one another beside the course. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.
A smiling runner in a white Team Shalva shirt raises a thumb toward the camera.
A runner wearing a Team Shalva shirt gives a thumbs-up. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.
A spectator holds a green You Are Strong sign while standing beside another person and a dog.
Spectators with a dog display a bright green “You Are Strong” sign. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.
A runner in a green Portugal singlet spreads his arms and smiles during the marathon.
A runner wearing a Portugal singlet extends both arms toward the crowd. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.
A spectator raises an orange Go Random Stranger Go sign beside the Brooklyn race route.
A spectator encourages runners with a “Go Random Stranger Go!!” sign. Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.

More Marathon Photographs

A selected gallery of runners, costumes, handmade signs and the people cheering along the course.

Photo by Richard Scalzo / A Fixed Moment.

See More New York City Marathon Photos

This gallery presents a selection from the 2026 New York City Marathon in Brooklyn. More photographs, including additional runners, crowd moments and signs, are available through A Fixed Moment on Patreon.

Patreon is free to join, with more event galleries and photo coverage posted there.

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