Are you inspired by today’s New York City Marathon and thinking of running it yourself one day? There are a few ways to get in.
One of the most popular routes to a guaranteed entry has been the New York Road Runners’ 9+1 program. In it, members earn a place in the field by running in nine races and completing one volunteer opportunity in the next calendar year.
Organizers have introduced changes to the program that apply to the 2028 race. For the first time, participation will be based on a drawing, and runners have to pay $99 to join the 9+1 program. They also will have to pay to enter each of the required races.
There are other ways in, too. About a quarter of the nearly 60,000 bibs for the marathon are set aside for people who raise money for charity, and thousands more are set aside for runners who gain entry through time qualification.
There is also the luck-of-the-draw lottery. Nearly a quarter of a million people applied for it this year. Just 1 percent, or 2,400, gained access that way.
The post Inspired by the Marathon? Here’s How to Qualify to Run. appeared first on New York Times.
