2025 TCS NEW YORK CITY MARATHON VIDEO
2026 race celebrates 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course
Additional entry methods open today, including new sweepstakes and Official Charity Partner Program with record number of charities
New York, March 4, 2026 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, has announced record-breaking demand for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon drawing.
For the second consecutive year, New York Road Runners received more applications than ever before for the TCS New York City Marathon drawing, with 240,000+ applicants from more than 160 countries—a near-20 percent increase from 2025. Today, runners will learn their 2026 application status, with only about one percent of applicants accepted.
The surge in demand reflects New York Road Runners’ continued momentum amid the running boom and following the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon setting a world record as the largest marathon ever with 59,226 finishers.
Taking place Sunday, Nov. 1, this year’s TCS New York City Marathon will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic five-borough course, which was first run in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial and uplift the city. Setting the standard for the modern urban marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon has grown into one of the most inclusive and accessible sporting events in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than two million spectators to experience the transformative power of running every first Sunday of November.
“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,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO, New York Road Runners. “This year’s marathon is extra special as it marks 50 years of the five-borough course. We are thrilled to give runners more opportunities to take part in this year’s anniversary celebration, including through our expanded Official Charity Partner Program, TCS Across the Boroughs Marathon Sweepstakes, Member-Only Second Chance Drawing, International Tour Operators, and NYRR Team for Climate.”
For this year’s race, non-guaranteed entry general drawing applications were submitted during a three-week registration period from Feb. 4–25. Additionally, runners were able to claim guaranteed entries during this time through a variety of methods, including NYRR’s 9+1 program, NYRR Virtual Racing, Time Qualifiers, NYRR Philanthropic membership, and Streakers—runners who have completed 15 or more New York City Marathons. Further showcasing incredible demand, NYRR accepted only the top 10 percent of non-NYRR marathon Time Qualifiers, meaning athletes needed to run at least 22 minutes and 52 seconds faster than their initial qualifying standard for their gender and age group.
Those who do not receive entry through the drawing still have a chance to run the TCS New York City Marathon through a variety of entry methods, including:
TCS New York City Marathon Official Charity Partner Program
To support other nonprofits’ missions and services, New York Road Runners’ Official Charity Partner Program gives organizations guaranteed entries to the TCS New York City Marathon for athletes to fundraise on their behalf.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, New York Road Runners has expanded the Official Charity Partner Program to include more than 670 charities—the most ever—and has set a goal of raising more than $100 million. To give back to the communities that have supported the New York City Marathon for 50 years, approximately 60 percent of Official Charity Partners are headquartered in New York City, up from 52 percent in 2025.
With the help of more than 14,000 charity runners, a record $80 million was raised for more than 600 charities—including $38.4 million for New York City-based charities—during the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, a 14 percent increase from 2024. Since its launch in 2006, the Official Charity Partner Program has raised nearly $700 million for more than 1,000 worthy causes.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Official Charity Partner Program launches today. Runners can learn more about the 670+ charities and find one to support here.
2026 Across the Boroughs Marathon Sweepstakes
Starting tomorrow, March 5, athletes who did not get a spot in the drawing or other entry methods can enter The Across the Boroughs Marathon Sweepstakes. To honor the 50th anniversary of the five-borough marathon course, this year’s sweepstakes will give two grand prize winners complimentary entry to the TCS New York City Marathon and all six NYRR Five-Borough Series races. Ten runner-up winners will receive complimentary entry to the marathon.
The NYRR Five-Borough Series showcases New York Road Runners’ commitment to the individuals and communities in each borough as the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, with six races that celebrate what makes each borough unique and inspiring: the RBC Brooklyn Half, Citizens Queens 10K, New Balance Bronx 10 Mile, NYRR Staten Island Half, NYRR Manhattan 10K, and United Airlines NYC Half.
The sweepstakes entry period ends March 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and winners will be announced by Thursday, March 26. Learn more about the sweepstakes and enter here.
NYRR Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing
For the third year, an NYRR Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing will be held to increase member access to races. Approximately 24,000 NYRR members who meet the eligibility criteria and applied but did not get accepted in the non-guaranteed general entry drawing will automatically be entered into the NYRR Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing, which also takes place today, with up to two percent accepted. Members who are selected in the Second-Chance Drawing will be informed via email of their selection before the end of the day after both drawings have concluded.
International Tour Operators (ITOs)
International runners—those who are not full-time residents of the United States—can enjoy a seamless TCS New York City Marathon experience by booking through one of NYRR’s official International Tour Operators (ITOs), which offer travel packages with guaranteed entry into the race. With more than 100 approved operators across 50 countries, international runners will receive dedicated support and expertise as they travel to and explore New York City before running the TCS New York City Marathon.
NYRR Team for Climate
Athletes can also apply to run with NYRR Team for Climate, a dedicated entry method tied to New York Road Runners’ sustainability initiatives that raises funds to reduce carbon emissions and offset the carbon footprint of the race. NYRR Team for Climate applications will open in April, during Earth Month.
Launched in 2024, NYRR Team for Climate is an entry method for NYRR’s three marquee races—the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half—that has raised more than $1.6 million, including $640,000+ during the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, to deliver a more environmentally friendly racing experience for all runners.
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About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970-2026)
Initially run in 1970 as four laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time in 1976 to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the five-borough marathon course, coinciding with the nonprofit’s recent rebrand and launch of its new “Believe in Every Step” brand platform. Produced by the world’s premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently the largest marathon in the world, bringing together 55,000+ participants and more than two million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.