11°
Clear & sunny
HI 15°
LO 8°
Clear blue skies · 52°F at the start · ideal for 55,000 runners
New York City Marathon
The largest marathon on earth. Five boroughs, two million spectators, one legendary finish in Central Park.
First run 1970. The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world by finishers. The 2026 lottery drew a record 240,000+ applications, up nearly 20% from 2025, competing for only ~2,400 non-guaranteed bibs, an approximate 1% acceptance rate and the lowest in race history.
Ballot opens
Feb 4, 2026
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
Feb 25, 2026
Last day to submit
Passed
Draw / results
Mar 4, 2026
Winners notified
Passed
Race day
Nov 1, 2026
November 1, 2026
Next up
CLOSED FEB 25, 2026 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
Climate
Past three years on race day
Historical conditions on the course, what to expect, what to pack.
9°
Sunny
HI 14°
LO 5°
Plenty of sunshine · low humidity (21%) · light winds
16°
Sunny
HI 19°
LO 11°
Five degrees warmer than average · Tola set the men’s course record
Course·
Five boroughs, Staten Island to Central Park
Staten Island → Central Park
Cool, 5–13°C
Elevation
Course profile
Rolling, with the Verrazzano-Narrows climb to open and the Queensboro and Willis Avenue bridges to puncture the back half. Fifth Avenue's long, steady drag into Central Park is where most New York runners say the race is won or lost.
Total ascent·103m
Total descent·91m
Highest point·39m @ 11 km
PAST RESULTS
Ballot history
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon ballot drew 240,000 applications. Browse every year's breakdown below.
2026 · Record
240,000
The largest ballot in race history. A 20% jump on 2025's 200K figure.
View 2026 results →
Applications · 2022 → 2026
84K128K165K200K240K
'22'23'24'25'26
2026
→
240,000
Acceptance ~1.00%
55TH EDITION
2025
→
200,000
Acceptance ~2.50%
54TH EDITION
2024
→
165,000
Acceptance ~4.00%
53RD EDITION
2023
→
128,000
Acceptance ~5.00%
52ND RUNNING
2022
→
84,000
Acceptance ~12.0%
51ST RUNNING
2021
→
—
Acceptance unknown
50TH RUNNING
CHARITY PLACES
Charity places
The non-ballot route in. TCS New York City Marathon has 34 official charity partners, with fundraising minimums starting at $3,000 (NYRR Team for Kids, Children) and rising to $10,000+ for the highest-demand partners. Applications open Feb, right after ballot results.
Partners
34
10 cause areas
Min from
$3,000
up to $10,000
Apps open
Feb
after ballot
Apps close
Apr
most earlier
NT
Browse all charity partners
→
NYRR Team for Kids
Children
$3,000min raise
Applications open
MF
Myocarditis Foundation
Health
$3,000min raise
Applications open
AF
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (NYC Chapter)
Mental health
$3,000min raise
Status unknown
WA
World Animal Protection
Animals
$3,000min raise
Applications open
HC
Hope Community Inc
Housing
$3,000min raise
Applications open
TH
The HOPE Program
Other
$3,000min raise
Applications open
Photos
On the course
Scenes from the 2025 edition, the Central Park finish and the five-borough crowds.
Finish · 2025
Crowd · 2025
FAQ
Common questions
When is the 2026 New York City Marathon?
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon runs on Sunday, November 1, 2026. It is the final Abbott World Marathon Major of the calendar year and the largest marathon in the world by finishers.
What are the odds of getting into the NYC Marathon lottery?
Approximately 1% for non-guaranteed entry. The 2026 lottery drew a record 240,000+ applications competing for only ~2,400 non-guaranteed bibs, the lowest acceptance rate in race history.
How does NYRR 9+1 guaranteed entry work?
Run 9 qualifying NYRR races and volunteer at 1 during the calendar year to earn guaranteed entry the following year. 9+1 is the most reliable non-lottery route into NYC for runners based in or near New York.
What are the NYC Marathon qualifying times?
Time qualifier standards are 2:53 for men and 3:13 for women (open-age). Meeting the standard on a certified marathon course within the qualifying window guarantees entry outside the lottery.
How big is the New York City Marathon?
The 2026 field is approximately 55,000 runners, the largest marathon on earth by finishers. The course crosses all five boroughs from the Verrazzano Bridge in Staten Island to the finish in Central Park.