Bloomberg Businessweek New York Road Runners CEO on the TCS New York City Marathon
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Oct 31, 2025 Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners and a two-time New York Marathon finisher, shares insights into the iconic TCS New York City Marathon. He reveals the meticulous year-round planning and coordination needed for the event. Rob highlights the marathon's staggering $700 million economic impact on NYC and discusses how local businesses thrive during race week. He also touches on the program for athletes with disabilities, highlighting inspiring stories of resilience and community.
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Massive Year-Round Operation
- The marathon requires year-round, military-style planning with hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers.
- New York Road Runners begins planning more than a year ahead to manage the complex logistics for 55,000+ runners.
New Yorkers Cheer For Strangers
- Rob describes the marathon as a day New Yorkers cheer for total strangers and respect the effort of running 26.2 miles.
- He highlights the communal spirit where people root for every runner, not just those they know.
Demand Far Exceeds Supply
- Interest far exceeds available spots with over 200,000 applications and roughly half a million would-be entrants.
- NYRR caps the field (~55,000) to keep the race manageable while seeking ways to include more people.