Starting Corral Assignment Rules in the New York City Marathon – NYRR Best Pace
The New York City Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors and the largest road race in the world, with over 50,000 runners from across the globe participating each year. To ensure such a massive field can start smoothly and safely, the organizer – New York Road Runners (NYRR) – uses a proven system of assigning runners to starting corrals based on a special indicator called Best Pace.Thanks to this system, faster runners set off first, and the race pace within each group is balanced.
What is Best Pace in NYRR?
Best Pace is a runner’s fastest equivalent pace over 10 km, calculated from official NYRR race results from the past two years (rolling 2-year period). Importantly, it’s not just your last marathon that counts! The system considers various distances, and each of them is converted to a 10 km pace according to a special formula.
How does NYRR convert results to a 10 km pace?
NYRR uses conversion factors based on Peter Riegel’s research (“Athletics Records and Human Endurance”).
Example multipliers:
• 5 km × 2.09
• 4 miles × 1.60
• 8 km × 1.27
• 10 km × 1.00 (baseline distance)
• Half Marathon × 0.45
• Marathon × 0.22
Example:
If your marathon time is 3:12:00 (192 minutes), multiplying by 0.22 gives 42.24 minutes, which is equivalent to a 10 km pace of around 6:48 per mile.
This is the value that will go into the system and determine your corral assignment.
Why does NYRR use these conversions?
• They allow for fair comparison of runners with different specialities (e.g., speedy 5K runners vs. endurance-focused marathoners).
• They let runners start in groups with similar paces – improving comfort and safety.
• They reduce congestion on the course, especially in the first miles.
How does the waves and corrals system work in the New York City Marathon?
The NYCM starts in waves – each has a specific start time, and within each wave there are three starting colors (blue, orange, green).
Each color is then divided into corrals A–F, where:
• A – the fastest runners
• Subsequent letters – progressively slower pace ranges
Your Best Pace determines your exact corral–wave–color assignment.
TCS New York City Marathon 2025 – Pace, Start Wave & Ferry Assignment
| Wave | Wave Start | Pace per Mile – From | Pace per Mile – To | Ferry Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:10 a.m. | 4:00 | 7:14 | 5:30–6:00 a.m. |
| 2 | 9:45 a.m. | 7:15 | 7:57 | 6:00–7:00 a.m. |
| 3 | 10:20 a.m. | 7:58 | 8:39 | 6:15–7:30 a.m. |
| 4 | 10:55 a.m. | 8:40 | 9:43 | 7:15–8:30 a.m. |
| 5 | 11:30 a.m. | 9:44 | 25:00 | 7:30–9:00 a.m. |
*Ferry times are assigned based on your marathon pace per mile. Official wave and corral assignments will be released in October.
How to check your Best Pace?
• Log in to your NYRR account and go to the Dashboard tab.
• There you will find your current Best Pace, which may be updated if you run a faster official NYRR race.
• If your “record” is more than two years old and you have no new results, it will be updated after your next race.
Can you change your assigned starting corral?
• No – NYRR does not allow you to move to a faster corral.
• Yes – you can move to a slower corral or wave if you want to run with friends or at an easier pace.
Why is it important to know your Best Pace before the marathon?
• It helps you plan your race strategy – you’ll know which runners you will start with.
• You’ll avoid surprises on the race packet pick‑up day.
• You can strategically choose NYRR “qualifying” races to improve your pace and move up to a better starting corral.
Summary:
The Best Pace system in the New York City Marathon is one of the fairest ways to organize starts with over 50,000 participants. After converting your best official result, NYRR decides in which wave and corral you will start – and that can impact your entire race.
For more practical tips, analysis, and guides, visit the New York City Marathon category on my website.
