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 \u2013 New York Road Runners (NYRR) \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
What is Best Pace in NYRR?<\/strong><\/p>\n Best Pace is a runner\u2019s fastest equivalent pace over 10 km, calculated from official NYRR race results from the past two years (rolling 2-year period). Importantly, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n How does NYRR convert results to a 10 km pace?<\/strong><\/p>\n NYRR uses conversion factors based on Peter Riegel\u2019s research (\u201cAthletics Records and Human Endurance\u201d).<\/p>\n Example multipliers:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 5 km \u00d7 2.09 Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This is the value that will go into the system and determine your corral assignment.<\/p>\n Why does NYRR use these conversions?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 They allow for fair comparison of runners with different specialities (e.g., speedy 5K runners vs. endurance-focused marathoners). How does the waves and corrals system work in the New York City Marathon?<\/strong><\/p>\n The NYCM starts in waves \u2013 each has a specific start time, and within each wave there are three starting colors (blue, orange, green).<\/p>\n Each color is then divided into corrals A\u2013F, where:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 A \u2013 the fastest runners Your Best Pace determines your exact corral\u2013wave\u2013color assignment.<\/p>\n TCS New York City Marathon 2025 \u2013 Pace, Start Wave & Ferry Assignment *Ferry times are assigned based on your marathon pace per mile. Official wave and corral assignments will be released in October.<\/p>\n How to check your Best Pace?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Log in to your NYRR account and go to the Dashboard tab. Can you change your assigned starting corral?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 No \u2013 NYRR does not allow you to move to a faster corral. Why is it important to know your Best Pace before the marathon?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 It helps you plan your race strategy \u2013 you\u2019ll know which runners you will start with. Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 \u2013 and that can impact your entire race.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 4 miles \u00d7 1.60
\n\u2022 8 km \u00d7 1.27
\n\u2022 10 km \u00d7 1.00 (baseline distance)
\n\u2022 Half Marathon \u00d7 0.45
\n\u2022 Marathon \u00d7 0.22<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 They let runners start in groups with similar paces \u2013 improving comfort and safety.
\n\u2022 They reduce congestion on the course, especially in the first miles.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Subsequent letters \u2013 progressively slower pace ranges<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n \nWave<\/th>\n Wave Start<\/th>\n Pace per Mile \u2013 From<\/th>\n Pace per Mile \u2013 To<\/th>\n Ferry Time<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n 1<\/td>\n 9:10 a.m.<\/td>\n 4:00<\/td>\n 7:14<\/td>\n 5:30\u20136:00 a.m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2<\/td>\n 9:45 a.m.<\/td>\n 7:15<\/td>\n 7:57<\/td>\n 6:00\u20137:00 a.m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3<\/td>\n 10:20 a.m.<\/td>\n 7:58<\/td>\n 8:39<\/td>\n 6:15\u20137:30 a.m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4<\/td>\n 10:55 a.m.<\/td>\n 8:40<\/td>\n 9:43<\/td>\n 7:15\u20138:30 a.m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 5<\/td>\n 11:30 a.m.<\/td>\n 9:44<\/td>\n 25:00<\/td>\n 7:30\u20139:00 a.m.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u2022 There you will find your current Best Pace, which may be updated if you run a faster official NYRR race.
\n\u2022 If your \u201crecord\u201d is more than two years old and you have no new results, it will be updated after your next race.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Yes \u2013 you can move to a slower corral or wave if you want to run with friends or at an easier pace.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 You\u2019ll avoid surprises on the race packet pick\u2011up day.
\n\u2022 You can strategically choose NYRR \u201cqualifying\u201d races to improve your pace and move up to a better starting corral.<\/p>\n