The start location of a marathon depends on which race you’re asking about. Here are the starts for several major recent marathons to help narrow it down:

• NYC Marathon (New York City): Start on Staten Island at Fort Wadsworth, with waves beginning around 8:00 AM; finish is in Central Park. Spectators typically watch along the bridges and along portions of the course.

• Amsterdam Marathon (TCS Amsterdam Marathon): Start and finish are at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. The start area is divided into multiple zones/waves around Stadionweg.

• Berlin Marathon (BMW BERLIN-MARATHON): Start is on Straße des 17. Juni, between the Brandenburg Gate and Kleiner Stern.

• Rotterdam Marathon (NN Marathon Rotterdam): Start area is on Schiedamsedijk with waves, and some flexibility to start in later waves.

• London Marathon: The course starts in Greenwich and runs through central London to The Mall; maps and course details are published by event organizers.

• New York Road Runners (NYRR) hosts the NYC Marathon with a detailed Start area and directions for ferry access to Staten Island.

If you specify the exact marathon event and year you’re interested in, the precise starting point and access details can be confirmed.