The New York City Marathon is one of the most popular marathons in the world, and registration for the 2024 race is already underway. There are a few different ways to register for the marathon, and the best option for you will depend on your circumstances.
The Drawing
The most common way to register for the New York City Marathon is through the lottery, also known as The Drawing. This is a random drawing of all eligible applicants, and only a small percentage of people are selected. To be eligible for The Drawing, you must be at least 18 years old on race day and have a valid passport. You must also meet one of the following qualifications:
- Be a member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR)
- Live in New York City or within 60 miles of the city
- Be a US resident living outside the New York City area
- Be a non-US resident
To enter The Drawing, you must submit an application online during the registration period. The registration period for the 2024 race will open in February and close in March. If you are selected in the lottery, you will be required to pay the registration fee, which is currently $295 for non-NYRR members.
Team for Kids
Another way to register for the New York City Marathon is to run for Team for Kids. Team for Kids is a charity program that supports community running programs for children. To run for Team for Kids, you must raise at least $2,620 for the charity. In return, you will receive a guaranteed spot in the marathon, as well as coaching and support from NYRR.
Charity Bibs
The New York City Marathon also partners with a number of other charities, which offer charity bibs to runners. To run for a charity, you will typically need to fundraise a minimum amount of money. The amount of money you need to raise will vary depending on the charity.
International Tour Operators
If you live outside the US, you can also register for the New York City Marathon through an international tour operator. These tour operators typically offer packages that include race entry, travel, and accommodations.
Qualifying Times
Some marathons require runners to compete in an earlier race within a specific time limit in order to qualify. While the New York City Marathon does not have a qualifying time requirement, runners can override the lottery system if they achieved a qualifying time in a previous race.
To qualify for the New York City Marathon based on time, you must run a previous marathon in a certain amount of time, depending on your age and gender. The qualifying times are listed on the NYRR website.
Guaranteed Entry
Runners who have finished the New York City Marathon at least 15 times are eligible for guaranteed entry. Runners who decided to cancel their participation in the 2023 race are also guaranteed a spot in the 2024 race, but the method only works once.
New York Marathon 2024 Countdown:
Conclusion
There are a number of different ways to register for the New York City Marathon. The best option for you will depend on your circumstances. If you are not selected in the lottery, you can still register for the marathon by running for Team for Kids, a charity, or by qualifying on time. You can also register for the marathon through an international tour operator.
Featured Images Credit : Anna Liptak
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