How Long is the Belmont Stakes? (How Many Miles and How Much Time Will it Take in 2023?)

The 2023 Belmont Stakes is set for Saturday, June 10, with an estimated post time of 6:50 p.m. ET. The 155th running of the event will occur at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, as it does every year.

The Belmont Stakes is the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown following the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. The Run for the Carnations is thus one of the biggest and most important horse races of the year.

While there is considerable build-up and hype around the Belmont Stakes, the event itself doesn't last very long. Here's everything you need to know about how long the race is.

What is the Distance of the Belmont Stakes?

The Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park is officially measured at 12 furlongs, which equates to 1 1/2 miles. This makes it the longest race of the Triple Crown in terms of distance, as the Kentucky Derby is 10 furlongs (1 1/4 miles) and the Preakness Stakes is 9.5 furlongs (1 3/16 miles).

How Much Time Does the Belmont Stakes Take?

Whereas the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes typically last around 2 minutes, the Belmont Stakes takes around 2 1/2 minutes to complete due to the longer distance. The record for the current length of 1 1/2 miles is 2:24, which was set by Triple Crown winner Secretariat in 1973. Meanwhile, last year's winner Mo Donegal finished the race in 2:28.28.

It's also worth noting that the race isn't officially over until the final horse crosses the finish line, which usually happens a few seconds after the winner finishes.

How Long is the Track at the Belmont Stakes?

The race covers one full lap at Belmont Park. The dirt oval track measures 1 1/2 miles, making it the longest race track in North America. Fittingly, it is known as "The Championship Track."

How Long is a Furlong?

A furlong is 1/8 of a mile, which breaks out to be 220 yards / 660 feet. It's an imperial unit of measurement that originates from farming terms in Old English times, coming from the words furh (furrow) and lang (long). It's a relatively old form of measurement that was once a standard measure around agricultural fields but is now used almost exclusively in horse racing in the United States.

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