Ten fun facts about the New York City Marathon

Did you know that this Sunday’s New York City Marathon has the world’s most expensive entry fee for a major marathon at USD$347? More than 50,000 athletes will toe the start line on Nov. 1.

Here are 10 interesting facts about the New York City Marathon that you may not know.

It used to cost a buck

The inaugural 1970 New York City Marathon had an entry fee of just $1, and on a $1,000 budget featured prizes including inexpensive watches and recycled trophies. This year the top prize is US$100,000.

Only one selfie stick is allowed on course, and it’s massive

ASICS will unveil a one-of-a-kind eight-story-tall selfie stick on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s race which will allow fans to capture race-themed photos.

Celebs love to run NYC

A number of high-profile celebrities are running this Sunday including Alicia Keys, Ethan Hawke, former New York Giant Tiki Barber and Katrina Bowden. The four have a combined net worth of US$190 million.

I’m flip-flopping between freakin’ out and feeling fabulous… https://t.co/xaF9OD5oTG 😉 #nycmarathon pic.twitter.com/ypmFPbTU1l

— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) October 26, 2015

A teenager won it once

The youngest person to win the New York City Marathon was 19-year-old Beth Bonner in 1971.

NYC is a big piece of the marathoning pie

The NYC Marathon accounts for nearly 10 per cent of all marathon finishers in the United States in any given year.

It’s a great clothing drive for charity

Nearly 26 tonnes of clothes are discarded by runners in the first few miles of the marathon, all of which is donated to local charities and Goodwill.

It’s only missed one year

The NYC Marathon has been run every year since 1970 except in 2012 when the East Coast was hit by Hurricane Sandy. The storm caused nearly $75 billion in damage across the Caribbean and Eastern United States.

No Canadian has ever won NYC

The most victorious nationalities at the New York City Marathon including open and wheelchair divisions have been the United States (28), Kenya (20), and Norway (10). No Canadian has ever won the famed NYC Marathon.

It’s almost as international as the Olympic Marathon

The 2015 edition will feature runners from 139 countries and all 50 U.S. States.

That’s a lot of carbs burned!

The total amount of calories burned at this year’s marathon could power 140 car batteries.