The New York City Marathon was founded in 1970 by Fred Lebow and a small group of visionaries who believed running could unite communities and transform lives. What began as a modest race circling Central Park evolved dramatically in 1976 when the course expanded to include all five boroughs of New York City, creating the event’s now-famous format. Over the decades, the marathon has become one of the most influential races in the history of distance running, inspiring countless city marathons worldwide while attracting Olympic champions, world record holders, and runners from every corner of the globe. Today, it stands as the world’s largest marathon and one of the most recognizable sporting events on the international calendar.