Mamdani Hands Out Water at NYC Marathon

The mayor cheered runners near the 13-mile mark in Long Island City during the race's 50th anniversary edition.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Running

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a cluster of runners in solid-color jerseys moving down a city avenue, one figure reaching toward a roadside water table. — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani handed out water to runners near the 13-mile mark during the 50th New York City Marathon on Sunday, which drew nearly 60,000 participants. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani handed out water and high-fived runners during the 2026 New York City Marathon, wearing a green vest over rolled-up suit sleeves. The race, which marked its 50th anniversary, drew nearly 60,000 participants.

Why it matters

The mayor's participation highlights the marathon's continued civic role in the city's public life during its golden anniversary year. The event also reflects the scale of the race, which moves through all five boroughs before finishing in Central Park.

The 2026 race drew nearly 60,000 participants, and the course spanned Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. Organizers reduced Bronx turns from seven to five at Mile 20 to ease street closures, the first route change in 15 years.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City, who has run the city's marathon in prior years.

Andreas Almgren

Andreas Almgren is a Swedish runner who won the men's division of the 2026 New York City Marathon in his debut race.

The details

Mamdani, who previously ran the marathon in 2022 and 2024, wore a black cap reading 'Faster government' this year, after wearing a T-shirt about the city's housing and rent crisis last year. Sweden's Andreas Almgren won the men's race in his debut.

1970: The New York City Marathon began.
1976: The course expanded beyond Central Park for the U.S. bicentennial.
2022 and 2024: Mamdani ran the marathon in both years.
November 1, 2026: Mamdani handed out water during the 2026 race.

Season Trajectory

The 50th-anniversary race follows the course expansion that began in 1976, when the marathon first moved beyond Central Park for the U.S. bicentennial. Its route through all five boroughs continues that expansion, while the Bronx turn reduction marks the first route change in 15 years.

Runners planning to compete in future New York City Marathons should note the Bronx route change, which reduced turns from seven to five at Mile 20. The change affects how the course flows through that borough.

The takeaway

Mayor Mamdani's participation as a volunteer on the course reflects how the marathon connects city leadership with the thousands of runners and spectators along its route. The 50th anniversary race shows how the event has grown from its 1970 start into a five-borough tradition.