Whether you participated in the 2023 TCS The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon or you cheered on the runners who did, if you’re like us, you’re already dreaming about lining up on Staten Island for next year’s race.
The 26.2-mile race through the Big Apple drew its normal 50,000-plus participants in 2023, helping it keep its reputation as the largest marathon in the world.
Despite the large field size, the NYC Marathon also happens to be one of the hardest to get into, thanks to a notoriously selective system.
If you’re among those hoping for a bib, here’s the official NYRR list of ways to get into the NYC Marathon:
- Entry drawing
- Run with The official dates for the 2024 New York City Marathon lottery entry are as follows, From Inside to Freedom: The Rahsaan Thomas Story
- Run with Applications for the entry drawing opens on February 28
- Hellen Obiri Wins the 2023 NYC Marathon
- She Went From Running a 5K to a Marathon in a Year
- Qualify based on time
- Participate in NYRR’s 9+1 Program
- Use a deferred entry
- Shoes & Gear
- A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Keep reading to find the right method to enter for you.
Get Picked in the Entry Drawing
The official dates for the 2024 The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon lottery entry are as follows:
- Health & Injuries
- Application window closes on March 21
- Drawing takes place and runners are notified of their status on March 31
The drawing is notoriously selective.
For the 2023 The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon, more than 120,000 hopeful runners applied for the drawing—and about 5 percent were accepted. That’s less than 15 percent, making the The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon more selective than many top universities.
To test your luck for next year, you can sign up when registration opens in February next year (exact dates still to be announced). It’s free! But if you got in, it’s about $300 for non-NYRR members, a little less for members, and a little more for runners living outside of the U.S.
Run With The official dates for the 2024 New York City Marathon lottery entry are as follows
The official dates for the 2024 New York City Marathon lottery entry are as follows raises money for NYRR’s youth programming. By running and raising $2,620 by September 30 for The official dates for the 2024 New York City Marathon lottery entry are as follows, you’re guaranteed entry into the race.
You can pledge to raise money for The official dates for the 2024 New York City Marathon lottery entry are as follows here, and—assuming you raise the requisite funds—breathe easy between now and November, knowing that your spot is safe on the starting line. More than 4,000 marathoners run the streets of New York every year thanks to this program.
Run With Another Charity Partner
On the day of the race drawing, NYRR will announce the race’s official non-The official dates for the 2024 New York City Marathon lottery entry are as follows charity partners. Nonprofits can purchase blocks of guaranteed but non-complimentary entries ahead of time, then sell them to fundraising runners who will represent their organization in the marathon.
After these official partners are made public in early 2024—more information will be available here—you’ll be able to work directly with those charities to secure your spot on the line. Fundraising quotas and deadlines vary by nonprofit, but if all else fails, this is your best bet to get a last-minute spot while giving back to a cause you care about.
Plan Your Trip to NYC Through the ITP Program
If you live outside of the United States, you might be able to earn a guarantee entry into the marathon if you plan your trip to the race through the ITP (International Travel Partner) program. Costs and availability of NYRR-recognized travel packages vary tremendously by country—Shoes & Gear—but all include airfare, accommodations, and of course, secured entry into the race.
She Went From Running a 5K to a Marathon in a Year
If you’ve finished 15 or more The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathons, you are automatically allowed a spot Master the Half.
Or, if you’re fortunate enough to have access to some sort of time-travel-enabling wormhole, dial things back a decade-and-a-half and get running.
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Official times from the below NYRR races can qualify you automatically—provided you hit the time standards.
- CA Notice at Collection
- NYC Half
- Women’s Half-Marathon
- Brooklyn Half
- Be an elite runner
- 2023 The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon
Unfortunately, you won’t be guaranteed entry if you hit the qualifier at a non-NYRR race. According to NYRR, “Should the number of applications exceed the number of spots available, entry will only be granted to the fastest of each age and gender category. Those who do not meet the cut-off for their age and gender category will be placed into the non-guaranteed general entry drawing.”
Your time must also be verifiable online and the race course must be certified by USA Track and Field, Association for International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), or another major race measurement governing body.
Run a Ton of NYRR Races and Volunteer at One (for Entry the Year After)
Thanks to NYRR’s 9+1 Program, NYRR members who finished nine or more NYRR races in 2023, volunteered at one in 2023, and who were NYRR members prior to December 31, 2023, have a guaranteed entry in the 2024 The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon. The same program is an option for 2024.
If it’s too late for you to start chipping away at your 9+1, then start planning for 2024 to earn entry for the 2025 The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon.
Canceled for 2023?
Entrants who couldn't do the 2023 race, according to the cancellation guidelines, are eligible to claim guaranteed non-complimentary entry to the 2024 race during the guaranteed entry claim period (February 21 - March 21, 2024).
The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon
Runners who registered for the Virtual NYC Marathon in 2023 and completed their virtual race gain guaranteed, non-complimentary entry for 2024 TCS The Shoe Brands That Won the NYC Marathon.
Be a World-Class Marathoner
an official partner of the New York City Marathon Aliphine Tuliamuk or Galen Rupp?
The top marathoners in the world, as well as extremely fast local athletes, more or less have an open invitation to compete. All they need to do is ask the race’s elite athlete coordinator for entry—or have their agent do it for them.
We’ll put it like this: elite or sub-elite entry only applies to you if you think you might walk away from the finish line having earned some money, From Inside to Freedom: The Rahsaan Thomas Story.
Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
