Any individual who has completed 15 or more New York City Marathons, along with entrants in the previous year's marathon who had to cancel prior to the race, are eligible for guaranteed entry. The TCS NYC Marathon also has other programs, which may change from year to year, that provide guaranteed entry.
In order to qualify, you need to be an NYRR member and complete nine NYRR-scored, qualifying races and volunteer for one event during the prior calendar year. This option is most feasible for those who live in the New York tri-state area, as all of the NYRR's races take place in the five boroughs of New York City.
Here are the current time standards for NYC, broken down by age group: 18 to 34 years old (2:53 for men, 3:13 for women) 35 to 39 (2:55 for men, 3:15 for women) 40 to 44 (2:58 for men, 3:15 for women)
The Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum
By the numbersAccording to the Boston Marathon media guide, the Boston marathon has an estimated 500,000 spectators and the New York marathon has an estimated 1,000,000+ spectators. So in terms of sheer numbers there is no question you have more people cheering you on in New York.
There are five bridges along the NYC Marathon route – the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the Pulaski Bridge, the Queensboro Bridge, the Willis Avenue Bridge, and the Madison Avenue Bridge.
The marathon race begins on Staten Island, in Fort Wadsworth, near the approach to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. After descending the bridge, the course winds through Brooklyn, mostly along Fourth Avenue and Bedford Avenue, for approximately the next 11 miles (18 km).
How to Get Into the 2020 NYC Marathon
- Enter the drawing.
- Run for Team for Kids.
- Run for another charity partner.
- Live abroad, and book your trip through an NYRR international travel partner.
- Have 15+ NYC Marathons under your belt.
- Qualify based on time.
- Claim a deferred entry.
- Participate in NYRR's 9+1 (or 9+$1K) Program.
1. Oprah Winfrey. Wearing bib No. 40 to match her age, Winfrey finished the 1994 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, in 4 hours, 29 minutes, and 20 seconds.
The use of headphones is strongly discouraged. If you choose to wear headphones, please ensure that you can hear all announcements and remain aware of your surroundings, including other participants.
What's the prize for winners? First place men and women will get $100,000 each. Second place will get $60,000 and third will get $40,000. Additional prizes are awarded for specific subcategories.
This year's qualifying times for the marathon:
- 16 to 29 years old — 3:05 for men, 3:35 for women.
- 30 to 39 — 3:10 for men, 3:40 for women.
- 40 to 49 — 3:20 for men, 3:50 for women.
- 50 to 59 — 3:35 for men, 4:20 for women.
- 60 to 69 — 4:00 for men, 5:00 for women.
- 70 to 79 — 4:30 for men, 5:55 for women.
2020 BOSTON MARATHON: Men's Qualifying Standards and Accepted Times*
| AGE GROUP | QUALIFYING STANDARD | QUALIFICATION TIMES ACCEPTED (faster than and including) |
|---|
| 18-34 | 3hrs 00min 00sec | 2hrs 58min 21sec |
| 35-39 | 3hrs 05min 00sec | 3hrs 03min 21sec |
| 40-44 | 3hrs 10min 00sec | 3hrs 08min 21sec |
| 45-49 | 3hrs 20min 00sec | 3hrs 18min 21sec |
As best as I can tell, there are four ways for top Americans to cash in on a major marathon win. The first and most obvious is prize money: Boston pays $150,000 to winners, New York $130,000, Chicago $100,000 and London $55,000.
