Before the indulgences of Christmas set in, over 42,000 runners will take part in the 26.2 mile ING marathon around New York City. The event has a fantastic atmosphere as around 2 million New Yorkers pour out onto the streets on “Marathon Sunday” to cheer on the runners. Celebrities such as Katie Holmes have taken part in the past, whilst Katie Price has announced on Twitter that she plans to run this year. The NYC marathon involves all levels of runners, from charity runners who never got round to starting their practicing, to the likes of Paula Radcliffe who has won for the past two years. Whoever this year’s victor is will have the usual honour of ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange the following morning.

There is plenty of affordable accommodation around New York’s various boroughs, so holiday makers can easily attend the 5.30am marathon breakfast at Staten Island, or simply relax near Central Park and watch the runners go by. Afterwards you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around Manhattan taking in the iconic sights such as the Chrysler building and Statue of Liberty.