To many New Yorkers, the first Sunday in November means a chance to watch runners from all over the world chase their dreams in the New York City Marathon.

To Mamadou Cisse, it means having to close his normally bustling carwash and oil change spot, 138 Lube, which sits on the marathon’s route along 138th Street in the South Bronx.

“It’s good for New York,” he said of the race, “but unfortunate for us.”

Fifty blocks south, in Manhattan, Bruce Blecher, who owns CitiFloral flower shop on York Avenue, close to the race route on First Avenue, sounded more frustrated.

“It sucks — that’s my quote,” Mr. Blecher said. His main complaint is that the race is part of an onerous series of parades, street fairs and other events that plague the Upper East Side with street closures, making it difficult for deliveries and customers to reach his shop.

“These events hammer the small businesses,” he said. “It’s harder to make a living.”

The 26.2-mile race through the five boroughs is the quintessential New York athletic event, embodying the grit and glory of the city and bringing New Yorkers together in celebration.

Its many supporters love that, for a day, hundreds of blocks of traffic and car horns are replaced by more than 50,000 runners and their cheering fans. The race is broadcast worldwide and is a boon to many stores, bars and restaurants along the route.