The annual TCS New York City Marathon is the city’s (and one of the world’s) most famous races which makes its way through all five boroughs. Now imagine if the runners had to make stops throughout their 26.2 mile run to…pay bridge tolls?!
Okay, well that’s not exactly how it would happen, but according to the New York Times the MTA wants the organizers of the marathon to shell out a hefty amount of money to make up for lost toll revenue stemming from bridge closing to traffic each year for the race.
The Times writes that the MTA has “quietly demanded roughly $750,000 a year” from New York Road Runners, the organization that runs the marathon, to make up for the toll revenue lost when it closes the Verrazzano Bridge.
The New York Road Runners has reportedly yet to accept the request, causing the MTA to initially “threaten” to restrict runners from the Verrazzano’s lower deck. They’ve since, however, lightened up and said runners could run across bridge’s upper level if the Road Runners preferred–just not both levels.
With 50,000+ participates expected to run in this year’s race, the Times writes that the Road Runners stated they may have to either reduce the number of people accepted or extended the race’s duration.
Though the Road Runners aren’t the only organization on the MTA’s radar–they also reportedly demanded money from Bike New York, an organization that has also made the bridge part of the route in its Five Boro Bike Tour. If Bike New York doesn’t pay up they’ll have to re-work their route.
According to the Times, Catherine Sheridan, the president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, stated:
New Yorkers love Marathon Sunday, but taxpayers cannot be expected to subsidize a wealthy nongovernment organization like the New York Road Runners to the tune of $750,000. The MTA is prepared to continue working toward a final agreement with the N.Y.R.R., provided it leads, over time, to full reimbursement for the lost revenue.
The chief executive of the Road Runners, Rob Simmelkjaer, reportedly wrote a letter in February to Governor Hochul pleading his case. Simmelkjaer stated how the marathon “provides substantial economic benefits to NYC.”
Simmelkjaer also noted how the MTA stated after last November’s race (2023) that the the subway saw the highest ridership numbers for a Sunday in almost four years, therefore proving that the marathon boosts the MTA’s revenue.
According to the Times, The Road Runners have so far resisted to pay the full amount the MTA is asking, though they are willing to negotiate.
Bike New York, on the other hand, stated they may have to cut back on their cycling lessons and training programs if the MTA is demanding the money.