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How to Approach the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Training Series 12M and 18M

How to Approach the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Training Series 12M and 18M

Aug 11, 2025

Runners at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon Training Series 12M

Are you registered to run the TCS New York City Marathon Training Series 12M (August 16) or 18M (September 21)?

These events are designed to prepare runners to take on the 26.2 miles of the TCS New York City Marathon or another fall marathon. They’ll help participants level up their race-day strategy by practicing all the elements of a successful long-distance race—from proper pacing to smart fueling and hydration and much more.

Read on to learn how to get the most out of your Training Series experience!

Please note: Both Training Series events are sold out for 2025.

Tip #1: Plan Your Schedule Around These Runs

Make sure your training leading up to the Training Series runs prepares you to cover 12 and 18 miles. Injuries happen when you ramp up too quickly.

If you’re following a training plan that doesn't call for a 12-mile run or race on August 16 or an 18-miler on September 21, adjust to accommodate those distances.

Tip #2: Treat These Events as Training Runs, Not Races

The TCS New York City Marathon Training Series 12M and 18M are opportunities to rehearse for November 2, working out the kinks and practicing your race-day strategy at a manageable distance in a race environment.

To do this effectively, you’ll want to run these events at a relaxed pace, like your long runs. For example, if you’ve been doing your long runs at a pace of 10 minutes per mile, plan that as your Training Series pace. You should be able to talk comfortably throughout your run. This strategy will also help you recover and continue your marathon training.

Tip #3: Dress for Success

Image of what to wear in the cold chart.

Check the weather forecast and plan an outfit that’ll keep you as comfortable as possible. Both Training Series races start at 7:00 a.m., but you’ll be out there for a few hours. You can wear a light outer layer and remove it as you warm up. Apply sunscreen, even on overcast days. Consult the chart above, and find tips for running in warm weather here.

At the Training Series 18M, try wearing the outfit and shoes you plan to wear for the TCS New York City Marathon, or plan this test at one of your final long runs, so you're not wearing your race-day gear for the first time on November 2.

Tip #4: Run with the Pacers

The NYRR Pace Team will be on hand to guide participants toward specific goal times, leading groups at paces from 7:11 per mile to 11:26 per mile. Look for pacers in the start corrals wearing blue-and-white striped NYRR Pace Team singlets and carrying signs that indicate their finish time and pace.

The pacers will run an even effort, and they had a 94% success rate in 2024.

Tip #5: Practice Fueling and Hydration

The runs will have water, Gatorade, and Maurten gels along the course. Practice taking these refreshments at regular intervals, being mindful of those around you.

As with your long runs, refuel and rehydrate after you finish to help your body recover.

Tip #6: Stay Relaxed

As you manage the challenges of these events, practice keeping a cool head. Approach the experience with a relaxed mindset. Know that you may make mistakes, and even if you don’t, something might happen that’s out of your control, such as a sudden downpour. Control what you can and do your best—that’s all any of us can do.

Tip #7: After Your Run, Reflect

Take stock of how things went and what you learned. You might even want to write a few notes and refer back to them as you continue your journey toward November 2.