How to Register for the New York Marathon?

As one of the 7 marathons included in the World Majors, the most legendary races in the world, the New York Marathon attracts a vast number of participants! 🖐️ Over the years, the demand for entries into the World Marathon Majors 🏅 has skyrocketed, leading to a bib shortage every year. However, it's still possible to snag that coveted spot on the starting line. Here's everything you need to know about registering for your chance to get that much-desired bib number! 🤩

1/ The Lottery: The Most Popular But Unreliable! 😬

Yes, for most participants, it all starts with the famous lottery entry 🤑. Every year, the New York Marathon opens a lottery system that allows runners from around the world to try their luck at securing a spot 🌍. Typically, lottery registrations open in early January and close at the end of the month 🗓️. But how does it work in practice? You need to sign up using the online form on the official marathon website and hope for some luck! 🤞 If you're selected, you'll receive a notification 🔔 a few weeks later, informing you that you're one of the lucky ones who will run through the streets of New York! 🎉 On average, about 10% of applicants get a bib, although the chances vary from year to year. So, yes, it doesn’t sound like much, but given the number of registrations ✅, it’s still a significant number of runners! 🤯 However, this system is highly random, so it may take several attempts to hit the jackpot 🎁.

Photo Credit: TCS New York City Marathon

2/ Performance Qualification: The Fast Pass of the World Majors ⏱️

Are you a speedster with some serious running prowess? 👟 Then direct qualification might be your golden ticket to New York! 🎫 The rules are simple: run fast, very fast 🚀. The TCS New York City Marathon has strict qualifying times based on age and gender 👩. For instance, a man aged 18 to 34 needs to clock in under 2 hours and 53 minutes in a previous marathon. For women in the same age group, the minimum time is 3 hours and 13 minutes. These times are no joke, even if you’ve been training like crazy for years 😣. However, if you manage to smash through this speed barrier 💥, you'll see your name on the participant list for this legendary New York race. Qualifying times are also accepted for other certified races, such as those by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) or other World Majors in the United States like Boston or Chicago! But beware, this option, though seemingly easier, has limited spots 🤏.

Photo Credit: TCS New York City Marathon

3/ Charity Programs: Run and Fund Research 💰

This option is perfect for runners with a big heart who want to support a cause they care about 🎗️. Many bibs for the New York Marathon are granted through charity organizations. The idea is simple: you run to raise funds for a cause you hold dear 💝. To do this, you need to join a marathon partner organization and commit to raising a minimum amount of donations that will go entirely to the charity. This amount can vary but typically ranges from $2,500 to $5,000. This method of registration is great because it fosters a sense of solidarity and helps charities advance research or improve services for those in need 🤗.

Photo Credit: TCS New York City Marathon

4/ Sports Travel Agencies: The All-Inclusive Package 🔑

If you want to avoid the lottery and the stressful qualifying times 🥵, this alternative might just catch your interest! Tailored for marathoners 🏃‍♂️ and globe-trotters 🛬 who love to have everything set before they arrive, all-inclusive packages are highly sought after. Although more expensive than booking your trip independently 💲, the travel agencies working with the event offer an all-inclusive package: bib, accommodation, and sometimes even flight. This is arguably the simplest and most stress-free option, but you have to book well in advance as these packages sell out quickly! 🥐 Be sure to go through an official agency to avoid ending up with a fake bib 😆.

5/ For New Yorkers Only: The 9+1 Program

For local runners (New York residents), there’s a specific program: the "9+1 Program". This allows you to guarantee your spot by running nine races and volunteering for one. A selection of 30 races is offered to volunteers, and they are free to choose which ones to run and for which one they’ll volunteer 🙋. This system benefits both runners and organizers and also helps you train well for the New York Marathon! 😝

But is there a truly reliable method? 🤔

Not really, it all depends on your profile! 🤷‍♀️ If you're lucky, go for the lottery. If you're fast, try to qualify 🏆. If you love running for a cause 🥰, opt for a charity spot. And if you want to keep things simple, go with a travel agency ✈️. What’s certain is that once you cross the finish line in Central Park 🏁, you’ll know that every effort, every training session, and every attempt to get that coveted bib was worth it! 💪

So don’t hesitate any longer and go all out to snag your bib for the New York Marathon! 😉