By Kamaron McNair. During August's "Summer Streets" event in New York, large stretches of Manhattan were closed to motor vehicles, offering a perfect chance to run long distances through the city.
I got in back in March. Not the billion-dollar Powerball jackpot, unfortunately, but a decent consolation prize: I secured a spot in Sunday's New York City Marathon. The odds of getting in were slightly better than that recent billion-dollar lottery. According to the organizers, the New York Road Runners, 240,000 people applied this year, and only about 1% of applicants received a bib. I was genuinely surprised I got in.
In March 2026, as soon as I got the acceptance email, a $333 registration fee hit my credit card. I knew about the cost when I applied, but at the time I never thought I'd actually get in, let alone start training to run the 26.2-mile course through all five boroughs of New York. In the months leading up to the race, I was constantly on guard against falling into a vicious cycle of credit card debt. I was paying off debt at the time and didn't want to take on new balances just to buy a bunch of good-looking running clothes or the "must-have" gear hyped in social media ads.
For a long time, running has been seen as a low-barrier sport. All you really need is clothes and running shoes; of course, there are plenty of shoe options too. But as running grows more popular, products and brands aimed at runners keep multiplying. Even for casual runners, it's not easy to find a reasonably priced pair of running shoes, and the shoes and gear that claim to help you perform better keep getting more expensive.
Steve Cun, a coach with New York Road Runners, said: "It's so easy to spend a lot of money on running now. There's so much to buy, and it's easy to feel like every single thing is a necessity." Items like sports watches, running shoes, dedicated water bottles, and recovery equipment "certainly have their uses, but when you add it all up, the costs climb quickly."
I knew I'd need some new gear to prepare for the marathon, but I set a rule for myself: only buy what I truly need. Even so, including the registration fee, I ended up spending $1,161. Here's my shopping list, and the parts I felt were genuinely worth it.
Spring: First Gear Purchases
I'd been jogging since 2020, so I wasn't starting from zero. I already had a few pairs of running shorts, plenty of quick-dry T-shirts, and a pair of Brooks training shoes. But as my mileage increased, I needed to upgrade my gear. From April through the end of June, I spent a total of $171: new athletic wear from Old Navy, a new pair of Brooks running shoes, a tin of Squirrel's Nut Butter anti-chafe salve, and a monthly membership to the running training app Runna.
The Old Navy batch wasn't a great success. The shorts and sports bra were fine for the first few runs, but once temperatures rose and my runs got longer, they started chafing. My previous pair of running shoes wore out shortly after I started training, so I bought a new pair, just in time for a sale that saved me about $80 off the original price. I used the Runna app for my training plan because I had no idea how to structure a schedule at first.
Summer: Costs Keep Climbing
In July and August, I ran over 216 miles and spent about $327. That included two months of Runna membership and two more Old Navy orders — this time I picked better-fitting styles. On top of that, I gritted my teeth and bought premium gear from the independent running apparel brand Bandit, a label founded in Brooklyn in 2020. I tried hard to resist buying its $88 shorts and matching $78 top. But after long runs, I realized good running shorts had two non-negotiable standards for me: pockets and no riding up. The Bandit shorts had the pockets I needed, reviews said they wouldn't shift, and now I can confirm that's true. The top wasn't strictly necessary, but it's now my best-fitting sports bra and hasn't chafed once.
I also bought Feetures professional running socks, which are more cost-effective than other premium socks, about $57 for four pairs. When buying clothes, especially athletic wear, I've always prioritized value. But while preparing for the marathon, I quickly learned the difference between "frugal" and "stingy." Old Navy clothes are fine for easy short runs, but cotton fabrics aren't suitable for long-distance jogging. In August, when my long runs surpassed 15 miles, I started experimenting with different energy supplements. At first I ate snacks I already had at home, like dried mango and gummy bears. Later I bought a 12-pack box of Honey Stinger energy gels for $20. Basically sugar and electrolytes, it felt expensive at the time, but it's convenient to carry and quickly replenishes carbs and electrolytes during long efforts, and it works.
September: Couldn't Resist Discounted Deals
Throughout September, I had planned to keep only the Runna membership as an expense, but then my running shoes reached the end of their life. After a particularly rough long run, I realized the pair I bought in May had already logged 375 miles and felt noticeably worn out. Running shoes generally have their own mileage limits, and many professionals recommend rotating two or three pairs to extend their lifespan, whereas I wore the same pair for almost every run. At first, to save money, I bought a used pair on eBay for $59 in decent condition. When it arrived, I found the insoles had been replaced and the sole wear was beyond what I could accept, so I returned them and bought a brand-new pair. Unfortunately, I missed the discount this time and ended up paying $195 on Amazon.
In October, less than a month before the marathon, I completed a 21-mile long run and felt confident I was prepared. I spent about $47 more on a few non-essential items that I hoped would help race day go smoothly. This time I didn't stock up on energy gels, switching to honey packets as fuel, about $9 for 20 packets, which was more economical. Race-day gear: $11 running arm sleeves and a two-pack of portable chargers for $15. I came across plenty of TikTok videos about what to prepare in the starting corral. Runners usually have to arrive hours early, and experienced runners advise bringing essentials to stay warm while keeping your phone charged. Finally, I bought an extra Nike marathon commemorative hoodie, not for running but purely as a keepsake, $65. Many basic Nike hoodies cost over $75, so compared to that this price was reasonable. It wasn't necessary at all — I'd still get a medal after finishing to commemorate the race. But the style photographs well, and as a journalist, I simply couldn't resist.
An Investment Worth Making
Overall, preparing for this marathon wasn't cheap, but it didn't exceed what I'd spend on a week-long vacation. Beyond the money, I invested countless hours and energy in training, and so far I don't regret a thing. Training also helped me save money I might otherwise have spent. I can't calculate exactly how much, but because of my training schedule, I turned down plenty of nights out, dinners, and drinks. Spending two or three hours running each weekend, plus recovery and rest, also prevented several impulsive purchases. Some research suggests that consistent running can help save on medical costs in the long run. But whether I'll get sick in the future, or whether running can help me avoid certain ailments, is impossible to say, and no direct link can be confirmed.
Preparing for this marathon has been a very fulfilling and enjoyable experience. I spent more time outdoors than usual, re-explored the city I've lived in for seven years, and genuinely felt the changes from high-intensity aerobic training — I can confirm that endorphins really do make you happy. I'm looking forward to the moment I cross the finish line after 26.2 miles on Sunday and feel that overwhelming pride. But honestly, I don't plan to run another marathon. I know race day will be great, but all things considered, I'd rather spend my time and money on lower-intensity activities.
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