New York City Marathon
How to get in, and where to stay
New York City Marathon is run in New York in November. Entry is by public ballot. There are 5 realistic ways in, 4 of which do not involve paying an operator. It is not a course to target for a personal best.
New York is the loudest marathon in the world and the hardest of the Majors to run fast. It crosses all five boroughs and five bridges, and the crowd on First Avenue is unlike anything else in the sport. Come for the experience, not the time.
How to get into the New York City Marathon
The catch nobody tells you
The 9+1 route is the one most overseas runners never hear about, and it is the only guaranteed route that costs nothing beyond race entries. It requires a year of planning and enough New York races, so it suits anyone who can combine trips.
The ballot
The drawing normally opens in the winter for the following November, with results in the early part of the year.
Public drawing
Open to allRandom drawing open to anyone, with a non-refundable processing fee to enter.
Time qualifier
QualificationGuaranteed entry for runners meeting the time standards for their age and gender.
The 9+1 programme
CompetitiveRun nine qualifying New York Road Runners races and volunteer at one within a calendar year, and you earn guaranteed entry for the following year. The most reliable route if you live in or can travel to New York.
Charity place
FundraisingA large official charity programme with guaranteed places in exchange for fundraising.
Tour operator package
PaidTour operators hold a small allocation of guaranteed entries that are sold with accommodation as a package. It is the only route that does not depend on luck or a qualifying time, and it is why most rejected ballot applicants end up here.
What you are actually running
A point-to-point tour of all five boroughs, starting on Staten Island, crossing the Verrazzano bridge into Brooklyn, through Queens and the Bronx, and finishing in Central Park.
Personal best potential
No. The bridges, the camber and the late climb up Fifth Avenue make New York the slowest of the Majors. Run it for the atmosphere.
Route at a glance
- Start
- Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island
- Finish
- Central Park, near Tavern on the Green
- Terrain
- Rolling, with five bridge climbs. The Queensboro at mile 15 is silent and steep, and Fifth Avenue climbs late.
On the way
- Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
- Brooklyn neighbourhoods
- Queensboro Bridge
- First Avenue
- Central Park finish
Weather and atmosphere
Race day weather
Early November in New York is usually cold and can be windy, often between 4 and 12 degrees. The wait on Staten Island before the start is long and cold, so throwaway layers are essential.
Crowds and support
Over a million people and the best atmosphere in marathoning. First Avenue after the Queensboro Bridge is the loudest stretch in the sport. The subway lets supporters catch runners in several boroughs.
Where to stay
Book a hotel near the New York City Marathon start
On race morning the only thing that matters is how far you are from the start. These are the areas that make the morning simple, with live rates on your dates.
Upper West Side
At the finish
Closest to the Central Park finish, so the walk back after the race is short, which matters more than you expect.
Midtown
Best for the start transfer
Best transport access for the very early start transfers and central for everything else.
Brooklyn
On the course
Better value, on the course early, and a good base if you have supporters who want to see you twice.
Getting there
Race morning starts very early with a ferry or bus to Staten Island, hours before your wave. The finish is in Central Park, so staying on the Upper West Side or Midtown makes the walk back manageable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 9+1 for the New York City Marathon?
Run nine qualifying New York Road Runners races and volunteer at one within the same calendar year, and you earn guaranteed entry for the following year. It is the most reliable free route into the race.
Is the New York City Marathon hard?
It is the hardest of the Majors to run fast. Five bridge climbs, a steep silent stretch on the Queensboro at mile 15 and a late climb up Fifth Avenue make it a slow course.
How early does race morning start in New York?
Very early. Runners take a ferry or bus to Staten Island hours before their wave and then wait outside in the cold, so bring throwaway warm layers you can discard at the start.
Where should I stay for the New York City Marathon?
The Upper West Side sits closest to the Central Park finish, which makes the walk back short. Midtown is better if the early start transfer worries you more.
Other World Marathon Majors
Ballot windows and entry rules change every year. Always confirm the current details with the official race before booking travel.