Whether you’re running outside or just hitting the treadmill, good music can often make the difference between a rave run and a blown goal. That’s why we’re putting together 90-minute playlists each month chock-full of songs with enough of a beat to keep you moving. For even more tunes, check out our list of the best running songs.


Start spreading the news! The New York City Marathon is coming up! On November 5, over 50,000 runners will take buses, cars, trains, and ferry boats to Staten Island to begin what has become the largest marathon in the world. The course famously passes through all five boroughs, and nearly every yard of the race is lined with thousands of adoring (and very loud) fans.

But even with the cheering spectators, plentiful aid stations, and iconic NYC scenery to gawk at, 26.2 miles is a long way to run.

For this reason this month, I’ve put together a setlist of the best music the Big Apple has to offer. Starting with Frank Sinatra’s famous rendition of “New York, New York,” I’ve curated the perfect mix of songs by artists who at one point or another have called NYC home. Jennifer Lopez, the Strokes, Billy Joel and of course Lady Gaga all hail from New York and created some of their best work here. Now while you’re running along the same streets they’ve walked down, you can blast their tunes for a little inspiration.

And if you aren’t running the New York City Marathon this year, let this month’s Runner’s World playlist serve as your inspiration.



Headshot of Matthew Huff
Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of MARATHONER: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed among others, and he is the co-host of “P.S. You're Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.