11°
Clear & sunny
HI 15°
LO 8°
Clear blue skies · 52°F at the start · ideal for 55,000 runners
NEW YORK
/
USA
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FOUNDED 1970
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 — giving approximately 4% non-guaranteed entry odds.
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
Qualifying
How you get in
General entry is by lottery. Fifteen-plus-year NYRR members and 9+1 finishers get guaranteed entry.
~4% non-guaranteed
55,000 bibs · lottery
Plus: 9+1 NYRR finishers and 15+ year members get guaranteed entry.
Applications closed
M2:53
W3:13
Open category (18–34)
See full standards →
$2,500–$5,000
via official charity partners
View partners →
Time qualifier standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:53:00 | 3:13:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:58:00 | 3:15:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:03:00 | 3:26:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:13:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:18:00 | 3:51:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:28:00 | 4:10:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:43:00 | 4:27:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:58:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:13:00 | 5:30:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:28:00 | 6:00:00 |
| 80-84 | 4:48:00 | 6:35:00 |
| 85-89 | 5:03:00 | 6:35:00 |
| 90+ | 5:18:00 | 6:35:00 |
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 4% for non-guaranteed entry. The 2026 lottery drew a record 240,000+ applications — up nearly 20% from 2025 — competing for roughly 10,000 non-guaranteed bibs.
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.