I am running the New York marathon on November 3rd.  There are buses
that take runners to the starting point on staten island from the
city, but they leave sometime between 5 am- 7 am.  I would prefer to
sleep later and take a taxi to the start line, but I'm worried the
streets will be closed off and I'll have trouble.  Is it possible to
take a taxi from new york city to the start point of the NY marathon
on staten island, and if so what is the best route to travel to avoid
closed streets?

Hello,

You may take a taxi to the race. However, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge
will close at 8 a.m. To get to the starting point, you will have to
take the Bayonne Bridge or Goethals Bridge to Staten Island. The
marathon organizers say you should take the Staten Island Expressway
(I-278) to the South Beach or Lily Pond Road exit. Drivers will then
be directed to School Road, a few blocks from the starting point,
which is as close as they can get. You shouldn't have to worry about
any other street closings before the race, unless you live on Fourth
Avenue in Brooklyn (part of the race route).

Another option is to take public transit. You can take the N/R or 4/5
subways to the tip of Manhattan and take the Staten Island Ferry
across the bay. From the ferry terminal, you can take the S51 bus
(toward South Beach) to the starting point of the race. The S51 runs
every half-hour on Sundays.

I hope this answer meets your needs. If not, please request
clarification.

Sources:

"Getting to the Start," New York City Marathon
http://www.nyrrc.org/nyrrc/marathon/entrantinfo/gettingtostart_closings.html

"S51/S81," NYMTA
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/bus/schedule/staten/s051cur.pdf

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