Guidelines for Guaranteed Entry: 2013 and Beyond

Due to the increasing worldwide popularity of marathon running, in recent years we have experienced a significant increase in applicants for guaranteed entry (entry that is accepted automatically) to the ING New York City Marathon. This increase has reduced the number of non-guaranteed entries (entry that must go through our random drawing on Marathon Opening Day). Analysis shows that if this trend continues, within five years we will no longer be able to offer non-guaranteed entry.

We believe that non-guaranteed entry is an essential element of the democracy of our marathon, and that it enhances the diversity of the marathon field. In order to preserve non-guaranteed entry at the ING New York City Marathon, we have changed some standards and policies. Guaranteed entry guidelines for 2012 are available here.

Please note that our most popular means of eligibility for guaranteed entry, the 9+1 program for NYRR members, remains unchanged.

The following guaranteed entry methods are changing:

Qualifying by cancelling entry. In the past, applicants to the marathon who canceled their entry according to cancellation guidelines were eligible for guaranteed entry to the following year's race, and could continue to cancel (and receive guaranteed entry) in subsequent years. Our new policy preserves the cancellation policy but prohibits guaranteed entry by this method following a second consecutive cancellation. Applicants who cancelled in 2010 and 2011 are grandfathered in.

Example: Jane is accepted to run the ING New York City Marathon 2011. She develops an injury and cancels her entry. Jane is eligible for guaranteed entry to the 2012 marathon even if she also cancelled in 2010; however, if she enters and then cancels her entry to the 2012 marathon, she is not eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013.

Note: Entrants who cancel and apply for guaranteed entry the following year must meet the application deadline and pay all applicable fees.

For guidelines on cancellation through a charity, consult your charity.

For guidelines on cancellation through an International Travel Partner, consult the ITP.

For Athletes with Disabilities cancellation guidelines, click here.

Qualifying by being denied entry three consecutive times. In the past, applicants to the marathon have been eligible for guaranteed entry if they have been denied entry three years in a row. This policy will be gradually eliminated. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2009-2011 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2010-2012 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2011-2013 will be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2014. Applicants denied entry for the three years 2012-14 will not be eligible for guaranteed entry in 2015.

Example: John applies for non-guaranteed entry in 2011 and is denied. If John was also denied entry in 2009 and 2010, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. If this is only John's second consecutive denial, and he is also denied entry in 2012, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2013. If he is denied entry in 2011, 2012, and 2013, he is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2014. If he is denied entry in 2012, 2013, and 2014, he is not eligible for guaranteed entry in 2015.

Qualifying by finishing 15 previous New York City Marathons. The ING New York City Marathon offers eligibility for guaranteed entry to runners who have finished 15 or more New York City Marathons. We will discontinue this policy, though we will grandfather in all runners who accumulate 15 or more finishes as of 2015.
Example: Joe has finished 15 New York City Marathons as of 2011. Joe is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2012. Bob, who has finished 11 New York City Marathons as of 2011 and also finishes in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, is eligible for guaranteed entry in 2016 and going forward. Ed, who accumulates only 14 finishes by 2015, is not eligible for guaranteed entry in 2016, nor going forward (using this guaranteed entry method).

Qualifying with a fast marathon or half-marathon time. The time qualifying standards will be tightened to 75% of age-graded times in five-year increments:

Men
Age Marathon 1/2 Marathon
Current New Current New
18-39 2:55 2:45 1:23 1:19
40-44 3:10 2:50 1:30 1:23
45-49 3:10 2:58 1:30 1:25
50-54 3:30 3:06 1:40 1:29
55-59 3:30 3:14 1:40 1:33
60-64 3:45 3:24 1:48 1:39
65-69 3:45 3:35 1:48 1:42
70+ 4:00 3:46 1:55 1:48

Women
Age Marathon 1/2 Marathon
Current New Current New
18-39 3:23 3:00 1:37 1:27
40-44 3:38 3:10 1:44 1:30
45-49 3:38 3:21 1:44 1:34
50-54 3:52 3:35 1:50 1:40
55-59 3:52 3:49 1:50 1:46
60-64 4:13 4:06 2:00 1:52
65-69 4:13 4:26 2:00 2:02
70+ 4:35 4:50 2:11 2:12

Because the 2012 race qualifying period is already open, this new policy will take effect beginning with the 2013 race.