On November 2nd, 2025 at exactly 8:00 a.m.… about 50,000 people will begin their 26.2-mile route of the New York City Marathon through the five boroughs of New York City.
Are you looking to be one of the runners standing at the start line seconds away from taking on the Big Apple?
If you’re ready to try your hand at this inspiring challenge and one of the biggest races in the world… then here’s everything you need to know about qualifying and registering for the New York City Marathon 2025…
The application period will most probably open at the beginning of February, see here!
What most people don’t realize is that there are actually 9 ways to enter the New York City Marathon in 2025!
Learn more about how the marathon’s course is designed here.
The 9 ways of getting into the New York City Marathon are divided into two categories…
Guaranteed Entry & Non-Guaranteed Entry.
Let’s have a look at what this all means for you…
10 Ways To Enter The New York City Marathon 2025
The guaranteed entry spots are linked to 10 of the ways to enter which we will discuss in detail below, these include affiliations with charities, time-qualified standards, cancellation in 2024, and others.
Non-guaranteed general entry spots are linked to the method of entering via an entry draw.
The beginning of February usually marks the first day to apply for a non-guaranteed general entry. If applicants do not get chosen in the draw they are still able to enter via the other 10 methods of entering the New York City Marathon.
Let’s look at the first way you can enter the New York City Marathon…
2025 TCS New York City Marathon Drawing
This method of entering the 2025 New York City Marathon is purely based on luck. Every year thousands of runners enter the draw with the hopes of their names being selected. The chances of your name being chosen are not the highest but we definitely think this one is worth a shot.
If your name does get chosen you still need to pay your entry fee to run the race.
Based on 2022 NYC Marathon draw stats, out of 84,000 entries only 12% were drawn.
The application period for the 2025 New York City Marathon will likely take place from the end of February to mid-March.
Keep an eye here for updated 2025 dates.
The entries available will be filled through three drawings, one in each of the following applicant pools:
1. “NYC metro area” applicants: Residents in and within 60 miles of New York City
2. “National” applicants: U.S. residents outside the NYC metro area
3. “International” applicants: Non-U.S. residents, including Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories
A drawing will be conducted within each applicant pool.
Enter the 2024 New York City Marathon draw here.
9+1 Program For The New York City Marathon 2025
The 9+1 program allows local New York City residents to gain a guaranteed spot in the FOLLOWING year’s marathon.
NYRR members who, in 2024, ran nine qualifying NYRR races and volunteered at one qualifying event, are eligible to claim guaranteed non-complimentary entry to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. To be considered a member, you must have an active membership by December 31, 2024.
Runners who complete the 2024 9+1 program will be eligible for guaranteed entry to the 2025 New York City Marathon.
Run For a Charity in The New York City Marathon 2025
If you would like, runners can gain guaranteed entry to the marathon and do something for a good cause at the same time… that is, running for one of the official charity partners of the New York City Marathon including NYRR’s featured charity, Team for Kids.
Official charity partners for 2025 will be announced in March 2025.
Runners with entry can register with Team for Kids and receive a reduced fundraising commitment of $2,100 to receive training, coaching, and race day perks!
Fundraisers get guaranteed entry, expert coaching and a virtual training platform, VIP race day perks, a TFK singlet, and the opportunity to help keep kids and communities healthy and fit.
Read more about running for a charity here.
New York City Marathon Entry Via Cancellation in 2024
Note: Entrants who cancelled their entry to the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon according to the cancellation guidelines are eligible to claim guaranteed non-complimentary entry to the 2025 race during the guaranteed entry claim period.
Entering The New York City Marathon With International Tour Operators
If you’re not a United States Of America resident, you can book your entry into the NYC Marathon via international tour operators.
These packages usually include flights, hotels, and many other perks.
Note: There is a complete list of approved International Tour Operators for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. If your country does not have an official International Tour Operator then you may reach out to any on the list.
Unless you select a tour operator from the list below, they are not a part of the New York Road Runner’s Program and cannot sell Travel Packages or Entry Only.
List of International Tour Operators for the New York City Marathon 2025: Here
New York Road Runners Virtual Racing
Runners who registered for the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon (Guaranteed Entry) in 2024 and completed their virtual race gain guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Finishers also received a Virtual TCS New York City Marathon finisher medal and keychain.
Read more about this entry method here.
Completed 15-Plus New York City Marathon Entry
This method of entry is for the New York City Marathon’s most dedicated runners. These runners have had to complete 15 New York City marathons in order to gain this type of entry.
(These runners can claim their guaranteed entry during the claim period – February – March, 2025.)
Think that your name belongs on this list? Check it out here.
Time-Qualifying Standards Entry For The New York City Marathon 2025
Runners who meet time standards in 2024 at specific NYRR races are eligible for guaranteed entry to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.
Runners who qualify at an eligible NYRR race can claim their guaranteed entry during the application period.
NYRR offers a limited number of entries to athletes who meet the time qualifying standards at a certified half marathon or full marathon race that is not held by NYRR.
All athletes who meet the time qualifying standards are invited to apply, however, submission of a qualifying time does not guarantee entry.
Time-qualifying runners can apply for guaranteed entry during the Non-NYRR TQ application period.
It’s based on a first-come, first-served basis for runners.
Qualifying time standards for the NYC Marathon 2024.
Philanthropic Membership Entry For The New York City Marathon 2025
Being a member of the NYRR gives you eligibility for guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon.
Now that we have looked at all 9 different entry methods for the New York City Marathon, let’s see how much this is all going to cost…
Cost Of Entering The New York City Marathon 2025
The New York City Marathon drawing is free to enter and limited to one entry per person.
The entry fees for the race itself are…
| NYC Marathon Draw Fee | Free |
| Race Entry Fee (New York Road Runners Members) | $255.00 |
| Race Entry Fee (NON-New York Road Runners Members) | $315.00 |
This is what you’re paying for when you buy an entry to the New York City Marathon 2025:
- Your entry to the race
- Fluid/fueling stations, medical support, entertainment, and security
- Official New Balance technical shirt
- Official transportation to the start from Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan, or the Meadowlands Sports Complex (New Jersey)
- Start area, including breakfast and entertainment
- Finisher materials: medal, food, beverages, and post-race poncho.
The New York City Marathon is one of the biggest and most popular running events in the world.
That’s why it’s one of the hardest to get into. Trying any of the 10 methods above does increase your chances of gaining an entry, we wish you the best of luck!
Once you gain that entry next on your to-do list is to start training a bit more seriously… We can help you with that.
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