Sports · Running & Athletics · 5 hrs ago
NYC Marathon runners criticize rising fees and tougher entry rules
Runners are criticizing New York Road Runners over rising costs and tighter requirements for entering the New York City Marathon.
The organization runs the race, which takes place in New York City and is scheduled for November 1.
Its 9+1 program lets local runners qualify by completing nine designated races and volunteering at one qualifying opportunity.
The updated rules require active membership through December 2026, which costs $63.45 a year; marathon entry costs $269.66 for members and $333.11 for non-members.
Record demand has intensified competition for places, with more than 240,000 applications this year and a record number of applicants rejected, according to the account.
Some runners say the costs and difficulty of getting into qualifying races make participation less accessible, while CEO Rob Simmelkjaer says the nonprofit does not set fees to maximize revenue.
The marathon is scheduled for November 1, marking 50 years since the race began using its five-borough course.
Runners are criticizing the New York Road Runners over higher fees and changes to the program that can help local runners enter the New York City Marathon.
The 9+1 program requires participants to complete nine qualifying races and volunteer at one qualifying opportunity.
Participants must also keep an active NYRR membership through December 2026, costing $63.45 a year.
The marathon entry fee is $269.66 for NYRR members and $333.11 for non-members.
NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer says the nonprofit does not maximize revenue and wants to preserve accessibility.
- Who
- New York City Marathon runners and the New York Road Runners, which operates the race.
- What
- Runners are criticizing rising fees and changes to the 9+1 entry program.
- When
- The article was published on October 28, 2026; the marathon is scheduled for November 1.
- Where
- New York City.
- Why
- Runners say the costs and requirements make participation harder. NYRR says it does not maximize revenue and aims to maintain accessibility.
Runners critical of the changes
New York Road Runners
Access and cost
Runners critical of the changes
Runners say rising fees and tougher requirements make races increasingly difficult to enter and less accessible.
New York Road Runners
NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer says the organization could charge more but chooses not to maximize revenue.
NYRR’s 9+1 program has offered local runners a way to improve their chances of securing marathon entry.
Applications for the New York City Marathon numbered 185,000.
Applications for the London Marathon increased 35 percent, and its lottery acceptance rate fell to 1.5 percent.
More than 240,000 people applied for the New York City Marathon, a record, and a record number were rejected.
Participants in the 9+1 program must maintain an active NYRR membership through this month.
The New York City Marathon is scheduled to take place.
- NYRR membership
- $63.45 per year
- Member entry fee
- $269.66
- Non-member entry fee
- $333.11
- 9+1 requirement
- Complete nine qualifying races and volunteer at one qualifying opportunity
- New York City Marathon applications
- More than 240,000 in 2026
- Five-borough course anniversary
- 50th anniversary in 2026
1 source
What people are saying
Between watching your computer all day to try to get into races before they sell out and all the fees, it feels like these races are becoming more elite all the time.
If we were a for-profit organization that was focused on maximizing our revenue, we could charge twice or more for races,
But we don’t make that choice, because that’s not what we are. We’re a nonprofit organization.
Accessibility is a huge part of what we want to achieve.