New York City Marathon Lottery
The New York City Marathon is one of those that every runner wants to run or is asked if they have run it. When I tell people I am from NY, the first thing runners ask me is “have you run the NYC Marathon?!” I have actually not run it as my schedule was never clear for it but it is one that I really wish I had a medal for completing!
It is one of the largest marathons in the world and it (obviously) takes place in one of the best cities of the world. The marathon itself takes runners through all five boroughs of the city and will really let you see NYC in a way that would probably not be possible at any other time.
Because the NYC Marathon gets so much attention from runners as a must-run race, they do have a lottery system for many of the entries. Tomorrow is the final day to submit your application for that lottery so make sure you do not lose your chance!
Lottery Submission
Everyone must pay $11 to submit their application and it is refundable. If you get picked, you will then have to pony up what might be the most you have ever paid for a race :
- NYRR members – $216
- Non-NYRR members – $255
- Non-US residents – $347
That is a lot of money but this is one of the top marathons in the world! If you are accepted, you will automatically be charged for the entry fee. If you are not accepted, you will not be charged but you will not receive your $11 back. For what its worth – last year, over 77,000 people applied through the lottery with just over 9,000 people being accepted. With a $11 registration fee, that is $847,000 received just from the application fee!
Last year, they selected 9,000 of the 50,000 runners through the lottery. To apply, visit this site and fill out your information. This lottery entry window closes tomorrow, February 15, at 11:59PM so if you want to get in the lottery, make sure you submit your application before tomorrow night!
Other Entry Methods
If you have qualified, you can also enter but you will be accepted automatically. However, the qualification is much higher than it is for Boston so you must be a very fast runner to make it in via qualifying. In addition to that method, there are other methods as well involving previous cancelations, charity partners, have participated in a number of NYRR races as a member, or have completed at least 15 previous NYC marathons. To see these ways and how to enter, check this page here.
There is another blogger who has run many NYC Marathons and could certainly give more insight to the event itself than I could – Kathy at Will Run For Miles.
Applying?
So, will you submit an application for the lottery? Whatever you do, don’t let the cost of travel to the NYC Marathon keep you from entering! I know the registration fee is high, but you can get there for literally less than a McDonalds meal and stay there for less than that thanks to miles and points. In the upcoming weeks, I will have a series on how to get to the NYC Marathon and stay for (almost) free! So, if you want to run it, go sign up and keep your fingers crossed!
