NEW YORK - The New York City Marathon may be eight months away, but the two-week registration window opens Thursday and this year marks the race's 50th anniversary.

The very first marathon was held in 1970. Participants did not travel through the five boroughs. Instead, they ran around Central Park just over six times. 

Only 127 people took part that first year. Last year, that number was more than 55,000.

"So anyone who's out there who has a guarateed entry, or anyone who wants to apply to our drawing, apply during that time period. And then towards the end of February we'll draw the people who will make up the rest of the field in addition to the people who are guaranteed entries," said New York Road Runners President and CEO Michael Capiraso.

For more information, visit tcsnycmarathon.org.