New York, August 27, 2024 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that produces the TCS New York City Marathon and 60 adult and youth races annually, with ABC7/WABC-TV and ESPN today announced a landmark broadcast deal marking the network’s first-ever, year-round exclusive broadcast partnership. For the next three years, the TCS New York City Marathon and United Airlines NYC Half, in addition to the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile and the New York Mini 10K, will be covered locally and nationally.

“New York Road Runners is excited to grow our partnership with ABC7/WABC-TV and ESPN as the appetite for running content continues to grow out of the post-pandemic running boom,” said New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer. “This is a significant expansion of our long-standing relationship that will increase the visibility of New York Road Runners’ year-round races and events like the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile and New York Mini 10K, in addition to the TCS New York City Marathon, the best day in New York City.”

“The TCS New York City Marathon represents the heart and soul of New York City and is one of the most spirited days of the year to be part of,” said John Suchenski, Senior Director of Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN. “We are thrilled to continue to work with New York Road Runners and WABC to showcase the powerful stories and remarkable athleticism of this extraordinary event to a national audience, as well as expanding our coverage to showcase New York Road Runners’ other events throughout the year.”

“WABC is proud to support NYRR’s vision of building healthier lives and stronger communities through what can be the life-changing power of running,” said Marilu Galvez, president and general manager, ABC7/WABC-TV. “We very much look forward to showcasing the many New Yorkers who show up throughout the year to test their endurance, support one another and show their passion for the sport. I know there will be many great stories to tell, and we are proud to share them.”

ABC7/WABC-TV and ESPN2 have been home to the award-winning TCS New York City Marathon broadcast since 2013 and will continue to be so through 2026, showcasing the best day in New York City, bringing people together through the transformative power of running. The live television broadcast, produced in coordination with 45 Live and distributed by IMG, will continue to air nationally on ESPN2 with pre-race and continuing coverage streamed on ESPN+.

New this year, a live two-hour show from the finish line will air nationally on ABC Network, covering celebrities and thousands of everyday runners crossing the finish line. ABC7/WABC-TV will continue to broadcast a pre-race show, pre-race Eyewitness News Features, By the Miles promotional pieces, a Countdown to the Starting Line Special, and live coverage of the Marathon Opening Ceremony.

Last year’s TCS New York City Marathon was broadcast to more than 540 million homes in more than 200 countries and territories, including ABC7/WABC-TV and ESPN2 in the United States.

The three-year renewal also extends the network’s coverage of the United Airlines NYC Half, which it has showcased since 2013; the event is the world’s premier half marathon which had a record number of 27,000-plus finishers this year. ABC7/WABC-TV will continue to distribute a livestream of the race, live reports within Eyewitness News from Times Square and Central Park, promotional pieces, and pre-race Eyewitness News Features.

ABC7/WABC-TV will additionally become the broadcast partner of both the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, a one-mile race down Manhattan’s most famous thoroughfare, and the New York Mini 10K, the world’s original women-only road race. Coverage of the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile includes a live televised broadcast and pre-race Eyewitness News Features locally on ABC7 with the race also airing nationally on ESPN+. Coverage of the New York Mini 10K includes a professional athlete race livestream on digital platforms and live news cut-ins on ABC7.

# # #

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs.. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.