Long Beach Marathon + Half — Boardwalk Sunday
Long Beach's annual fall marathon + half-marathon along the 2.2-mile boardwalk + neighborhood streets. The boardwalk loop is genuinely one of the prettiest urban race courses in metro NYC. Spectator-friendly — most of the course is visible from the boardwalk.
Annual Long Beach marathon (full + half) along the 2.2-mile boardwalk + adjacent neighborhood streets. Fall weather is reliably 50-65°F race morning — excellent for running, good for spectators. The boardwalk-heavy course means spectators see runners multiple times.
Practical:
- LIRR Long Beach (direct from Penn) is the move for both runners and spectators
- Race morning weather: cold start (sub-50°F at 7 AM), warming through the morning. Layer.
- Post-race: West End restaurant strip + bars open for breakfast/lunch from 11 AM
- Charity registrations available year-round; standard entries open in June
The Long Beach marathon is one of the few LI races that genuinely qualifies for Boston-Marathon-qualifying-time recognition.
This Long Island may earn a small commission when you buy tickets through our links. It never affects what we cover or recommend.
Other Sports events
Editor's Pick LI Ducks Fireworks Friday — vs. Charleston Dirty Birds
The Long Island Ducks' Friday-night fireworks game at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Grandstand seats $15-25, parking free, post-game fireworks visible from the stadium + the surrounding neighborhoods. Most-quintessential LI family-Friday plan from May through September.
- When
- Where
- Fairfield Properties Ballpark, Central Islip
- Price
- See ticket page
Editor's Pick Islanders vs. Rangers — Battle of New York
The Islanders host the Rangers at UBS Arena in Belmont — the regular-season opener of the most-watched rivalry in NYC-area pro sports. UBS Arena is the modernized 17,000-seat home of the Islanders since 2021. Plan extra time for parking + the Belmont Park access road traffic on game nights.
- When
- Where
- UBS Arena, Belmont Park
- Price
- See ticket page
Speed Pool Long Island Singles Age Teams C 44-59 and D 57-75 Bay Shore
Team-based pool tournament for singles in their 40s through 70s at Bayshore Billiards. You'll be matched with teammates, so bring zero pool skills—this is about meeting people, not running the table. West Main Street has metered parking and a few lots within a block.
- When
- Where
- Bayshore Billiards, Bay Shore
- Price
- See ticket page
Read before you go
- seasonal What We're Tracking: The Long Island Summer 2026 Calendar Takes Shape The Editors' Memorial Weekend reset on what we're tracking for Long Island summer 2026. Programming announcements, venue updates, the new restaurants worth a drive, the festivals that bumped their dates, and the East End rhythm shifts. Updated weekly through Labor Day.
- safety Driving on Long Island: The Safety + Insurance Guide for 2026 A practical guide to driving safely on Long Island — the most dangerous corridors, NY no-fault insurance basics, what to do at the scene of a crash, and how to navigate a claim. Editorial content, not legal advice.
- safety Cycling on Long Island: The Safety + Legal Guide for 2026 A practical guide to cycling safely on Long Island — best routes, the most dangerous stretches to avoid, NY bike law, what to do if you're in a crash, and how to get back on the road with confidence.