New York, October 20, 2016— The TCS New York City Marathon is taking mile markers along or near the 26.2-mile course to the next level with the introduction of “Smile Markers,” 26 pin-shaped markers that can be found both throughout the city, and as a part of the race’s upgraded TCS New York City Marathon Mobile App, available for download on the App Store or Google Play store.  Smile Markers allow runners and spectators to learn more about the race, the course, and the city that plays host to the largest marathon in the world.

“Smile Markers give special insight into the TCS New York City Marathon, celebrating the people, partners and locations that make it the most popular marathon in the world,” said Ronnie Tucker, vice president of marketing and digital at New York Road Runners. “Whether you are down the block or across the globe, our TCS New York City Marathon Mobile App will allow runners and fans everywhere to play along and explore New York City.”

Smile Markers are being placed throughout New York City on bus shelters, sidewalks, billboards and Citi Bike® stations, each featuring a unique digital experience including quizzes, videos, graphics, slideshows, and timelines that can be unlocked in the TCS New York City Marathon Mobile App. Runners, spectators, and friends of the TCS New York City Marathon from New York to New Zealand can unlock Smile Markers to access unique digital experiences, and engage with an interactive map featuring exclusive content.

Premier Partner of New York Road Runners and Title Sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon Tata Consultancy Services, and NYRR and TCS New York City Marathon partners ASICS, and Hospital for Special Surgery will be presenting their own Smile Markers that will pop up around New York. Participants will be able to collect rewards as they unlock Smile Markers, including tickets to race week events and special discounts from PowerBar, Fitbit, Tavern on the Green, and Gatorade Endurance. Participants are encouraged to capture photos, videos, and Boomerangs at Smile Marker locations and share using #TCSNYCMarathon #SmileMarkers for a chance to win TCS New York City Marathon-branded swag, among other great prizes.

The Smile Marker experience can be enjoyed globally as 13 of the Smile markers are available for access via the TCS New York City Marathon Mobile App. The remaining 13 Smile Markers will prompt users to visit them in person to unlock the special content. 

Along with Smile Markers, spectators and participants can now track more runners than ever before and during the race via the TCS New York City Marathon Mobile App Powered by Tata Consultancy Services. Live, on-map tracking includes up to 20 runners, in addition to the live pro-athlete leaderboard, with the ability to receive vibration alerts when family members, loved ones or favorite all-stars cross the iconic TCS New York City Marathon finish line in Central Park.

About the TCS New York City Marathon

The TCS New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road Runners (NYRR) and the largest marathon in the world. Over 1,000,000 people have finished the race since its first running in 1970 with just 127 entrants and 55 finishers running four laps around Central Park. The race expanded to all five boroughs in 1976 and is now in its 40th year as a five-borough affair. Held annually on the first Sunday of November, the race features 50,000 runners including the world’s top professional athletes and a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. Participants from over 125 countries tour the city, starting on Staten Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and running through the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx before ending in Manhattan. In 2015, the inaugural NYRR Youth Invitational at the TCS New York City Marathon gave young runners the opportunity to run 1.8 miles of the race course in Central Park, beginning near mile 24 and finishing at the famed TCS New York City Marathon finish line. More than one million spectators and thousands of volunteers line the city streets in support of the runners, while millions more watch the live television broadcast in the New York area on WABC-TV, Channel 7, nationally on ESPN2, and via various international broadcast partners around the world. The race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which features the world’s top marathons—Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—and crowns the top professional male and female marathoners each year. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services, consulting, and business solutions organization, is the premier partner of NYRR and the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon. The 46th running of the TCS New York City Marathon is set for November 6, 2016. To learn more, visit www.tcsnycmarathon.org.