The New York City Marathon: The Race That Everyone Wants to Run

There is something truly magical about the New York City Marathon. It is more than just a race—it is an experience, a spectacle, a day when the entire city turns into one pulsating, cheering, marathon-crazed celebration. For one Sunday in November, the Big Apple transforms into the ultimate running stage, where elites and amateurs alike pound the pavement across five iconic boroughs.

Little wonder, then, that the demand to run the race is off the charts. If you thought securing a Glastonbury ticket was tough, try getting into the NYC Marathon. With over 200,000 hopefuls applying for the 2025 race via the general entry drawing, the odds of getting in are slimmer than a New York slice. Around three percent, around only 6,000 runners, will be successful through this route. So where do the other 44,000 slots go? Let’s break it down.

The Ever-Elusive Ballot: A Lottery with Long Odds

For many, the first port of call is the general entry drawing. It’s free to enter, but with a 3% success rate, it might as well be Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket. Every year, hopeful runners cross their fingers, refresh their emails obsessively, and hope that fate grants them a place. When that inevitable rejection email lands, there are only two choices: try again next year or explore the alternative (and often costly) routes into the race.

Charity Places: Running for a Cause (and a Spot on the Start Line)

If you’re not lucky enough to get in via the drawing, you can always buy your way in, kind of. The New York City Marathon has one of the largest charity programs in the marathon world. In 2024, runners raised a staggering $70 million for various charities. Over 600 organisations offer guaranteed entry in exchange for fundraising commitments, which usually start around $3,000. If you’re passionate about a cause (and have generous friends and family), this is a fantastic way to secure a bib.

NYRR Team for Climate: The Green Route

One of the newer ways to get in is through the NYRR Team for Climate, an initiative allowing runners to support sustainability efforts while securing a spot in the race. In 2024, just 250 runners took part, raising nearly $800,000 and offsetting the marathon’s entire carbon footprint. This is a great way to combine your love for running with making a tangible environmental impact.

The 9+1 Program: Playing the Long Game

New York Road Runners (NYRR), the organisation behind the marathon, rewards its loyal runners through the 9+1 program. Complete nine qualifying NYRR races and volunteer at one event within a year, and you’ll earn guaranteed entry for the following year’s marathon. It requires planning, dedication, and a lot of weekends spent racing in Central Park, but for many, it’s worth it.

Time Qualifiers: Speed Pays Off

If you’re fast, really fast, you can qualify based on your previous marathon or half-marathon times. However, don’t expect leniency; the NYC Marathon has some of the toughest qualifying standards in the world. In 2025, even the top 25% of non-NYRR marathon time qualifiers had to run over 13 minutes faster than their official standard to get in. In short, you need elite-level speed to rely on this method.

15-Time Finishers: Veteran Privilege

If you’ve run the New York City Marathon 15 times or more, congratulations, you’re part of an exclusive club that earns guaranteed entry every year. It’s a long road (literally), but once you hit that milestone, you’ll never have to stress about the ballot again.

NYRR Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing: A Slim Lifeline

For NYRR members who struck out in the general drawing, there’s still a second chance, sort of. Up to 20,000 eligible members are entered into a second-chance drawing, but again, only around 3% are selected. Better odds than the first draw, but still not great.

The International Tour Operator Route: Buy Your Way In

For runners outside the U.S., one of the most reliable ways to secure entry is through an International Tour Operator (ITO). These companies offer guaranteed marathon entries as part of travel packages, which often include flights, hotels, and VIP perks. The downside? It’s not cheap. Expect to pay a premium, but for those desperate to run NYC, it’s a small price to pay.

The Sweepstakes: The Ultimate Long Shot

If all else fails, why not try your luck with NYRR’s free entry sweepstakes? Ten lucky winners (five receiving two entries, five receiving one) will get a coveted spot in the marathon. It’s a long shot, but hey, someone’s got to win!

The Final Countdown: 55,000 Runners, One Epic Race

So, where do all the spots go? With only 6,000 given via the ballot, the majority of runners secure entry through guaranteed programs—charity fundraising, NYRR programs, time qualifiers, international tour packages, and long-time finishers. Every year, the marathon becomes more competitive, with more applicants and fewer available spots via the drawing.

But for those who do make it to the start line in Staten Island, the struggle to get in is all part of the journey. Whether you fought through charity fundraising, trained to hit a qualifying time, or simply got incredibly lucky in the ballot, crossing that finish line in Central Park makes it all worth it.

For those who didn’t make it? There’s always next year. Or Chicago. Or Berlin. Or… well, better start working on that fundraising pitch now!