How to Get Into the NYC Marathon
The TCS New York City Marathon has six ways onto the start line: the general drawing, the NYRR 9+1 membership program, a time qualifier, a charity place, an international tour operator package, or guaranteed entry earned by finishing the race 15 times. The general drawing gets the attention because it is open to anyone, but it is also the worst odds of the six. For most runners chasing a New York bib, one of the other five routes is the realistic path.
What are the odds of getting into the NYC Marathon drawing?
Around 1%. New York Road Runners reported more than 240,000 applications from over 160 countries for the 2026 drawing, a record and a near 20% jump on 2025, competing for only about 2,400 non-guaranteed places. NYRR also accepted only the top 10% of non-NYRR Time Qualifiers who entered the drawing, and rolled roughly 24,000 eligible members not picked in the general pool into a separate member drawing with up to a 2% acceptance rate. Full figures are on the 2026 drawing results page.
What is the 9+1 program and how does it work?
9+1 is NYRR's membership-based guaranteed entry route. Complete 9 qualifying NYRR races in a calendar year, volunteer at one NYRR event, and hold an active NYRR membership through December 31, and you earn guaranteed entry to the following year's marathon. More than 30 in-person races and three virtual races counted toward 2026 program credit. It is the most reliable non-lottery route for runners based in or near New York, since it depends on showing up rather than on a draw.
What are the NYC Marathon qualifying times?
Open-category Time Qualifier standards are 2:53:00 for men and 3:13:00 for women, with slower standards at each older age band. Meeting the standard earns an application, not an automatic bib. Full age-band tables are on the New York City Marathon page. Runners can check where their own time lands against the current standards with the qualification checker.
How does charity entry work?
Charity places run through NYRR's official charity partners rather than through the general drawing, typically for a fundraising minimum in the $2,500 to $5,000 range depending on the charity. It is a direct, non-random route, which makes it attractive for runners who missed the drawing and do not want to wait for a 9+1 cycle or a qualifying window.
How do international runners get in without the drawing?
Runners who live outside the United States can book guaranteed entry through an NYRR-authorized International Tour Operator, which bundles race entry with a travel package at a price the operator sets. NYRR announces its list of official operators for a given year ahead of that race, so international runners planning around a fixed travel schedule use this route instead of the general drawing.
Is there a guaranteed entry for longtime NYC runners?
Yes. Runners who have finished 15 or more TCS New York City Marathons, consecutive or not, qualify for guaranteed non-complimentary entry in future years under NYRR's Streakers and 15+ program. Only official in-person finishes count toward the 15, not virtual races.
Which route gives the best real odds?
9+1, charity, tour-operator packages, and the 15+ streak route all sit well above the general drawing's roughly 1% acceptance, provided a runner can meet their underlying requirement (races completed, funds raised, travel budget, or past finishes). The Time Qualifier route rewards fitness rather than luck, but a qualifying time alone does not guarantee a bib once the field fills. Anyone weighing the drawing against a guaranteed route can model the numbers with the Marathon Ballot Simulator.
Sources: New York Road Runners: 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Drawing record, NYRR: Earn Guaranteed Entry, NYRR: TCS New York City Marathon 9+1 Membership Program