This morning, about 50,000 people woke up around 5 a.m., put on their running shorts, gulped down a slice of toast and some Gatorade, and made the long trek to Staten Island to run the New York City Marathon.

When the neon walker parade stormed through your neighborhood, it probably felt energizing and emotional — and maybe even inspired you to do it yourself.

That makes sense. I felt it too!

But depending on where you watched the race, there were probably aspects you didn't see. The bloody nipples. People writhed on the George Washington Bridge. The many runners who didn't reach the finish. And the many others who finished — and then wandered the Upper West Side in aluminum foil blankets, confused and unable to hold back a celebratory sandwich.

That's no detriment to the marathon – it's arguably the best block party of the year in New York City.

Furthermore, these challenges don’t seem to deter anyone. Demand to participate in the race — including the 26.2-mile race — has exploded since the pandemic. New York Road Runners told Gothamist earlier this year that only about 4% of the nearly 165,000 runners who applied for a spot through the general lottery took part in this year's marathon. (There are other ways to participate in the race, including fundraisers, time qualifying and the NYRR's “9+1” program.)

But don't despair – there are other ways to get to your best without the unique agony of the marathon.

For example, on a Sunday morning last month, I baked pancakes for my kids, threw in a load of laundry, laced up my running shoes, and then ran about two blocks to the start line of the Chris Hoban Memorial 5 Miler in Bay Ridge.

After about 30 minutes of running around my own neighborhood, I had finished the race (I placed third, right behind a really fast 11 year old) and was ready to eat a cheeseburger.

Almost every weekend aside from that The first time around in November, there are smaller local races you can participate in that do not require the planning, travel costs, entry fees, or extreme endurance required to participate in the marathon.

Earlier this month, the Dyckman Run Club in Upper Manhattan hosted the Dyckman 5K, where more than 650 runners ran down Dyckman Street and along the Hudson River.

“This has created great awareness in the community about the opportunity to enjoy the parks of Inwood and Washington Heights — and run through streets where people grew up,” said Jenny Glavan, who has been a member of the Dyckman Run club since its inception in 2019.

And she said all the money raised through the $45 entry fees went toward the club's local educational programs, including cardio Thursdays and wellness events for seniors. (For comparison, the entry fee for the NYC Marathon this year was $315 for non-members of the New York Road Runners.)

“The most important thing for us is to have a platform in the community so that our runners don't have to go to other areas to compete in a race – or even just to run,” Galvan said.

Below is a partial list of upcoming races in New York City. Do you know another small race in the city? Write it in the comments.

Running of the Bulls 5K, Van Cortlandt Park, December 7, 2024

Jingle Jangle 5K, Forest Park, Richmond Hill, December 22, 2024

Harry's Handicap, Prospect Park, January 1, 2025

Wooly Mammoth 5K and 10K, Veteran's Pier, Bay Ridge, January 4, 2025

Hoboken Italian Festival Super Sunday 5K, Pier A Park, Hoboken, February 9, 2025

Rockaway Beach Parade Day Half Marathon and 5K, Rockaway Park, March 1, 2025

LIC Waterfront 5K, Hunters Point Park, June 7, 2025

Dyckman 5K, Dyckman Street, TBD 2025