New York City Marathon 2025: What Can You Bring to the Start?

Date of publication: October 18, 2025

New York City Marathon 2025: What Can You Bring to the Start?

The TCS New York City Marathon is an event that electrifies runners around the globe. Preparations take months, and every detail matters—from your training plan to your nutrition strategy. Yet in the heat of chasing a personal best, runners often overlook a crucial logistical aspect: what can you actually bring into the event area? Security rules at the world’s biggest marathons are extremely strict, and ignoring them can lead to unnecessary stress or even confiscation of valuable gear. To save you the nerves on race day, I’ve prepared a complete guide to permitted and prohibited items at the 2025 New York City Marathon.

Baggage and Official Bags: Key Rules

Let’s start with the topic that raises the most questions—baggage. The organizers, NYRR (New York Road Runners), clearly specify which bags are accepted. Forget your favorite running backpack, suitcase, or any opaque bag.

Start Village Bag: This is the transparent, official bag every runner receives. It’s used to store items you need just before the start—like a warm-up hoodie, extra water bottle, or snacks. This bag IS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE FINISH LINE. Anything you don’t take with you on the course must be discarded in special bins before entering your start corral.
Pre-Check Bag: If you want your belongings at the finish, you must use the pre-check option. The bag must be dropped off at a designated point in Central Park on Friday or Saturday BEFORE RACE DAY. There is no option to check a bag on race day.

Hydration Under Control: How to Drink According to the Rules

Organizers allow personal hydration systems, but under certain conditions:

Hydration belts and handheld bottles.
Single-use, transparent bottles up to 1 liter.
Hydration vests with front bottles (soft flasks), each up to 1 liter.

Backpacks with rear bladders (camelbaks) are prohibited if the bladder is located on the back. Exception: a vest with a rear bladder that is completely empty and unused during the race.

What Else Can You Bring? Permitted Items

Jackets and extra clothing layers.
Small blankets and NRC foil sheets.
Transparent tarps or seat pads up to 0.9 m².

Strictly Prohibited: What You Must Not Bring!

Backpacks, suitcases, duffel bags, opaque plastic bags.
Weapons, knives, pepper spray, hammers, sharp tools, sticks, umbrellas.
Strollers, camping chairs, tents, coolers, large packages.
Alcohol, drinks >1 liter, glass bottles, flammable liquids and aerosols.
Drones, selfie sticks, camera mounts not attached to the body.
Animals (except guide dogs), large flags (>11×17 inches), sleeping bags, comforters, costumes that cover the face or alter body shape.

Knowing these rules is the foundation for a calm and well-organized start. Prepare your gear the day before, make sure everything complies with the regulations, and on race day, focus only on what matters most—enjoying your run through the streets of the Big Apple.

Also Check Out:

Once you know what to pack and how to prepare your gear for the big day, it’s worth exploring other organizational aspects that will impact your comfort and performance:

Source: TCS New York City Marathon