TCS New York City Marathon 2026 ballot: 240,000 applications
A record of more than 240,000 people from over 160 countries applied for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon drawing, a near 20 percent jump on 2025, with only around one percent accepted through the general drawing.
What made 2026 notable
New York broke its own record again. NYRR reported more than 240,000 applications from over 160 countries for the 2026 drawing, a near 20 percent jump on the 200,000 that set the mark a year earlier, with only around one percent accepted through the general pool. The three-week application window ran from 4 to 25 February, and the drawing landed on 4 March. The squeeze keeps tightening at both ends: NYRR accepted only the top 10 percent of non-NYRR Time Qualifiers, and the roughly 24,000 members rolled into the second-chance drawing faced an up-to-two-percent rate. Charity entry stays the most dependable route. The race runs on 1 November 2026.
Applications over time
Time qualifier standards
View full age-group 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 |
Questions about the 2026 ballot
How many people applied to the 2026 NYC Marathon drawing?
More than 240,000 from over 160 countries, a record and a near 20 percent increase over 2025.
What was the 2026 NYC Marathon acceptance rate?
Only around one percent of applicants were accepted through the general drawing. A member-only second-chance drawing for roughly 24,000 eligible runners accepted up to two percent.
When did the 2026 NYC ballot run?
Applications were open from 4 February to 25 February 2026. The drawing took place on 4 March 2026.
When is the 2026 NYC Marathon?
Sunday, 1 November 2026. Race-day results are not yet available.