New York Road Runners (NYRR), the non-profit that produces 60 annual adult and youth races in New York City, has announced record-breaking demand for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon drawing.
For the second consecutive year, the organisation received more applications than ever before, with over 240,000 applicants from more than 160 countries. This represents a near 20% increase on the 2025 application level.
NYRR noted that only around 1% of applicants would be accepted through the general drawing.
The surge in demand follows the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon setting a world record as the largest marathon ever with 59,226 finishers.
Taking place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, this year’s race will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course. The route was first run in 1976 to celebrate the US Bicentennial.
Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO at New York Road Runners, said “Year after year, the TCS New York City Marathon unites runners of all ages and abilities who believe in the power of every step to transform lives. This year’s marathon is extra special as it marks 50 years of the five-borough course.”
The non-guaranteed entry general drawing applications were submitted during a three-week registration period from February 4–25, 2026.
Further showcasing demand, NYRR accepted only the top 10% of non-NYRR marathon Time Qualifiers. This required athletes to run at least 22 minutes and 52 seconds faster than the initial qualifying standard for their gender and age group.
Those who did not receive entry through the drawing still have options, such as the Official Charity Partner Program. For the 50th anniversary, NYRR has expanded the programme to include more than 670 charities – the most ever – with a goal of raising more than US$100 million.
Approximately 60% of these partners are headquartered in New York City. In 2025, a record US$80 million was raised for more than 600 charities.
Starting today, March 5, 2026, athletes can also enter the Across the Boroughs Marathon Sweepstakes. This will award two grand prize winners complimentary entry to the marathon and all six NYRR Five-Borough Series races.
The NYRR Five-Borough Series includes the RBC Brooklyn Half, Citizens Queens 10K, New Balance Bronx 10 Mile, NYRR Staten Island Half, NYRR Manhattan 10K, and United Airlines NYC Half.
For the third year, an NYRR Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing will also be held. Here, approximately 24,000 eligible members who were not accepted in the general drawing will be automatically entered, with up to 2% accepted.
International runners – defined as those who are not full-time residents of the United States – can book through one of NYRR’s official International Tour Operators (ITOs). These offer travel packages with guaranteed race entry.
Additionally, applications for the NYRR Team for Climate will open in April 2026. This entry method raises funds to reduce carbon emissions and offset the carbon footprint of the race. Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has raised more than US$1.6 million.
NYRR was founded as a local running club and has grown over nearly 70 years to serve almost half a million people annually through its races and community programmes.
