© TCS New York City Marathon
How to register for the New York Marathon?
Unbelievable atmosphere, unique setting, meticulous organization, prestigious race, 7 World Marathon Majors… the New York Marathon goes almost beyond sports. You have to see it to believe it, live it to feel it. Each edition of one of the world’s biggest marathons brings together 55,000 runners and hundreds of thousands of spectators every year. The New York Marathon is a dream for many runners, but getting to the start line is a tricky step to overcome. Lots of applications, few lucky ones.
✓ How to register for the 2026 edition of the New York Marathon and get the coveted entry? We explain everything in this article.
| New York, the marathoners’ dream
Registering for the New York Marathon is much more than just ticking a box on a race calendar: it’s aiming for a legend. Founded in 1970 with just a few dozen participants running loops in Central Park, the marathon has undergone a meteoric rise to become one of the most prestigious in the world. Since 1976, its iconic course has stretched through the five boroughs of the city, from Staten Island to Manhattan, passing through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, offering runners a unique experience in the heart of the Big Apple. The atmosphere is unmatched: helicopter flyovers, the American anthem, a thunderous start to the sound of “New York, New York”… Participating in the New York Marathon is to experience a mythical moment, full of history and emotion.
| The lottery: the most accessible option
Just like major marathons such as Berlin, Boston or London, the lottery is an (almost) mandatory step to register for the New York Marathon. With over 200,000 applications and around 60,000 bibs, the organizer of one of the world’s largest marathons had to resort to the lottery. No matter your level, gender, nationality… you can try your luck by entering the lottery through a form available on the official race website. Registrations for the lottery typically open in early January until the end of the month. A few weeks later, you will be notified by email of the lottery results. You then have a few days to secure your bib. The lottery is an accessible option but does not guarantee a bib for everyone.
| Meeting the time standards
For fast runners, it is possible to secure a bib for the New York Marathon by qualifying by time. Each year, the NYRR (New York Road Runners) publishes specific standards based on age and gender. These times must be achieved in NYRR official and certified races between January 1st and the deadline set by the organization. If you participate in a non-NYRR certified race, you will only be eligible to attempt the minimum time for the marathon distance.
Note, meeting the time criteria does not automatically guarantee a place : if the number of requests exceeds the available bibs, a lottery will be held among the qualified runners. If your application is not accepted, you will be automatically enrolled in the lottery. You can find the qualifying races on the official race website. It’s a demanding path but also a great sports recognition.
✓ Standards to achieve on a marathon based on age and gender
| Age Group | MALE | FEMALE | NON-BINARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 2:53:00 | 3:13:00 | 3:13:00 |
| 35–39 | 2:55:00 | 3:15:00 | 3:15:00 |
| 40–44 | 2:58:00 | 3:26:00 | 3:26:00 |
| 45–49 | 3:05:00 | 3:38:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 50–54 | 3:14:00 | 3:51:00 | 3:51:00 |
| 55–59 | 3:23:00 | 4:10:00 | 4:10:00 |
| 60–64 | 3:34:00 | 4:27:00 | 4:27:00 |
| 65–69 | 3:45:00 | 4:50:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 70–74 | 4:10:00 | 5:30:00 | 5:30:00 |
| 75–79 | 4:30:00 | 6:00:00 | 6:00:00 |
| 80+ | 4:55:00 | 6:35:00 | 6:35:00 |
✓ Standards to achieve on a half-marathon (NYRR only) based on age and gender
| Age Group | MALE | FEMALE | NON-BINARY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 1:21:00 | 1:32:00 | 1:32:00 |
| 35–39 | 1:23:00 | 1:34:00 | 1:34:00 |
| 40–44 | 1:25:00 | 1:37:00 | 1:37:00 |
| 45–49 | 1:28:00 | 1:42:00 | 1:42:00 |
| 50–54 | 1:32:00 | 1:49:00 | 1:49:00 |
| 55–59 | 1:36:00 | 1:54:00 | 1:54:00 |
| 60–64 | 1:41:00 | 2:01:00 | 2:01:00 |
| 65–69 | 1:46:00 | 2:12:00 | 2:12:00 |
| 70–74 | 1:57:00 | 2:27:00 | 2:27:00 |
| 75–79 | 2:07:00 | 2:40:00 | 2:40:00 |
| 80+ | 2:15:00 | 2:50:00 | 2:50:00 |
| Charity programs: supporting a cause
More and more races are offering runners charity bibs like the Chicago Marathon or Sydney. It’s an excellent way to support a cause close to your heart. Each edition raises several million dollars in donations which are distributed to partner organizations of the race. As a charity runner, you choose a cause you wish to support, then commit to raising a minimum amount of donations to secure your spot in the New York Marathon. Once the amount is reached, you can start and run, with your heart on your sleeve!
| Travel and run in New York with travel agencies
With over 55,000 runners at the start, many participants arrive from all over the world. Coming to run the New York Marathon isn’t organized in just 24 hours and many take the opportunity to explore the region. To optimize and simplify logistics, you can opt to use a travel agency. They usually offer packages “bib + transport and accommodation”, which guarantees your participation. This option is a small luxury you can afford, but you’ll need to budget at least 1,500 euros. Offers are limited and travel agencies must be event partners.
Our advice: plan your trip well with the agency.
| Participate in the “9+1 Program” for locals
To give local runners an additional chance, the New York Marathon organizing team set up a program that guarantees runners a bib for the following year. The “9+1 program” involves participating in 9 races in a year! Why the +1? Because you’ll also need to volunteer at least once. Of course, the races are predetermined, but you still have a choice among 30 events. By completing this program, you guarantee yourself a bib for the edition following the year of your program.
| When to register for the 2026 New York Marathon?
To hope to start the New York Marathon in 2026, you’ll need to go through a lottery, with registrations typically opening in early January 2026. You’ll have 3 to 4 weeks to fill out the lottery registration form, and you’ll be notified of the results a few weeks later. For the lucky ones, you can then proceed with the registration.
To guarantee your bib, you can go with the charity program or travel agencies. For charity bibs, the first opportunities appear quickly in the year. You must then present an application to a partner association and commit to raising the minimum amount of donations. If you wish to go through a travel agency, the first offers can also arrive early in the year. Note that spots are limited.
The most beautiful avenues of New York will gather again on November 2, 2025, with over 55,000 running enthusiasts. Now you know all the ways to secure the coveted entry.
