New York Road Runners Taps Tracy Morgan as Grand Marshal — 2026 TCS New York City Marathon
Acclaimed comedian, actor, and producer to cheer on 60,000+ runners
Watch announcement video HERE
New York, Oct. 30, 2026 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, announced that native New Yorker, sports superfan, and multihyphenate entertainer Tracy Morgan (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins) will serve as the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Grand Marshal.
In this ceremonial role, Morgan will join more than two million spectators lining the streets of New York City, Sunday, Nov. 1, to root for the runners and celebrate their achievements as they cross the iconic Central Park finish line. This year's race marks the 50th anniversary of the five-borough New York City Marathon course, adding to the excitement of the BEST day of the year, in the BEST city in the world.
Tracy Morgan is one of the most respected comedians and actors in his field. He starred for seven seasons on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning 30 Rock, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and multiple NAACP Image Award nominations. He currently stars as Reggie Dinkins opposite Daniel Radcliffe in NBC’s comedy The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, which returns for a second season on November 2. The series reunites Morgan with his former 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey, who serves as an executive producer.
A New York City native, Morgan has built a career spanning television, film, and stand-up comedy. His credits include The Last O.G., What Men Want, The Longest Yard, Cop Out, Coming 2 America, Rio, and Rio 2, among others. In May 2026, Morgan starred alongside Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple in the Netflix animated film Swapped, which follows two natural enemies—a small woodland creature and a majestic bird—who magically trade places and embark on an unexpected adventure.
Morgan has also headlined stand-up comedy tours and festivals across the country and internationally. His stand-up specials include Tracy Morgan: Takin’ It Too Far, Tracy Morgan: Bona Fide, and Black & Blue.
Joining Morgan on Marathon Sunday will be the previously announced Honorary Grand Marshals George Hirsch, Gary Corbitt, Keisha Sutton-James, and Estee Stimler, who will honor the legacy of the five Trailblazers whose vision, leadership, and passion helped create the five-borough marathon: Ted Corbitt, George Hirsch, Fred Lebow, George Spitz, and Percy Sutton.
Additionally, a diverse and inspiring group of celebrity runners from across sports, entertainment, and media are participating in the 26.2-mile journey with many of them running their first marathon and supporting a variety of charitable causes.
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About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970–2026)
Initially run in 1970 as four laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time on Oct. 24, 1976, to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro marathon course and setting a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Produced by the world’s premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently one of the largest marathons in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.
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 more than half a million people annually through its races, 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 nearly 60,000 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.