N.Y. Road Runners (NYRR) projects more than 60,000 participants for the New York City Marathon this Sunday, according to Sports Business Journal.
The event is expected to draw approximately 2 million spectators. The race will begin in Staten Island.
The projected turnout reflects a broader trend in the sport. Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of NYRR, told Sports Business Journal that "the run club culture exploding has been a huge part of the post-COVID running boom."
Simmelkjaer, who took over the role in December 2022, noted that participation has grown annually during his tenure. However, he stated that there are physical limits to the event's size.
"We know that we aren’t going to have a 70,000-person marathon anytime," Simmelkjaer said, adding that the organization aims to maximize runner numbers without compromising the experience.
Focus on mental health and well-being
NYRR has integrated mental health initiatives into its mission after runner surveys consistently showed that the primary motivation for participating is related to stress relief, well-being, and mental health.
To address these needs, the organization launched the Mindful 5K, a race held annually on the first Saturday of May. Additionally, the NYRR charity program provides benefits to dozens of mental health organizations.
Simmelkjaer said the organization incorporates mental health messaging throughout its communications, including during the marathon.
Commercial growth and run club culture
The event continues to attract significant corporate interest, with a record number of sponsors. Shake Shack is among the NYC marathon sponsors.
Simmelkjaer attributed this commercial health to brands seeking connections with consumers interested in healthy lifestyles. He also noted a trend of runners getting younger, a demographic that is highly attractive to brands.
The organization's growth places it in close competition with the London Marathon regarding total number of runners, according to Sports Business Journal.
Simmelkjaer told Sports Business Journal that he was surprised by how powerful and intense the running club culture has become, noting that he previously ran alone.
How many people are running in the NYRR marathon?
While the final number of runners for this Sunday is not yet confirmed, NYRR projects the field will exceed 60,000. The organization maintains that a 70,000-person event is unlikely due to constraints regarding space and physics.
Simmelkjaer stated that his primary metric for a successful marathon is ensuring every runner finishes healthy.
The CEO's race-day schedule begins with a 4:30 a.m. police pickup to reach the Staten Island start quickly. He intends to be at the finish line before the professional runners arrive and remain there until the final finishers cross, around 9 or 10 p.m.
Simmelkjaer has previously run the New York City Marathon in 2013, as well as the Tokyo, Berlin, and Chicago marathons.