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Registration has opened for the 50th NYC Marathon

Photo credit: Andrew Burton - Getty Images
Photo credit: Andrew Burton - Getty Images
  • The TCS New York City Marathon, put on by New York Road Runners, will field 33,000 runners for its 2021 race on November.

  • The decision comes after the CDC announced that those who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks or maintain distance in outdoor settings.

  • This will be the 50th running of the world’s largest marathon.


Tens of thousands of runners will return to the streets of New York City for the New York City Marathon this November, but the process to get there will look much different.

A year after cancelling the 2020 race because of the coronavirus pandemic, New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit organisation which puts on the event, announced the 2021 race will have a field of 33,000. This is well shy of the normal participation; in 2019, the marathon had 53,520 finishers. However, it is a positive sign of a hopeful return to regular racing after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on May 13 that you don’t need to wear a mask in outdoor settings if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Registration opened yesterday for runners. This year's race will accommodate all of the runners who were registered for the 2020 race and chose to defer their entry to the 2021 New York City Marathon. Among the more than 30,000 runners who were registered for the 2020 marathon, 54% chose to run in the 2021 marathon.

'In 2019, the New York City marathon broke records to become the world's largest marathon ever,' Governor Andrew Cuomo said. 'While cancelling the race was the right choice in 2020, we are excited to welcome runners back to our beautiful city. New Yorkers worked hard to flatten the curve after the COVID-19 outbreak and it is that work that allows us to be able to take this step in bringing normalcy back to our state.'

A ballot will not happen this year, instead, remaining places will be allocated to charities, international tour operators and runners who have completed the 9+1 program. Registration will close on 15 June.

'This will be an unprecedented and historic year for the New York City Marathon as one of the most iconic New York sporting events makes its return,' NYC Marathon race director Ted Metellus said in a press release. 'As we stage a safe and memorable race for the 50th running, this year’s marathon will showcase our great city’s strength, inspiration, and determination.'

Though the race will be held with tens of thousands, the entry process will be vastly different.

Who can run the race?

There will be no general lottery for the 2021 NYC Marathon. Guaranteed entries will be the only way in, and most of these will come from runners who deferred their 2020 entries and listed 2021 as their top choice. Organizers said these runners should receive an email about registration by May 20, and they will then have between June 8 and June 15 to officially register. If no action is taken, entries will automatically be deferred to the 2022 race.

Guaranteed entry also applies to 2020 9+1 qualifiers, 2020 virtual marathon finishers, and runners who have completed 15 or more NYC Marathons before.

The only other entry option for 2020 will be to receive a guaranteed entry by signing up to fundraise for NYRR Team for Kids or through International Tour Operator. A list of official NYRR charities will be released on June 16 and runners can also gain entry this way.

It is important to note that guaranteed entries does not mean automatic free entry into the race. If you have to pay race fees, that means $255 (£179) for NYRR members and $295 (£207) for non-members.

Organizers will also offer a virtual option again in 2021. Registration for that begins on June 10. That will officially operate between October 23 and November 7.

'The New York City Marathon is a reminder of everything New Yorkers can accomplish with persistence, hard work, and community support. As we build a recovery for all of us, there’s no better time to safely reconnect with the iconic events that make our city great,' NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a press release.

What will be different about the race day?

NYRR will require runners to follow city and state guidelines, as well as CDC guidelines; that means runners may be asked to wear a face mask, follow travel restrictions, and either present a negative COVID-19 test or show proof of vaccination.

Additionally, the race will use a time-trial start format, in order to reduce crowds.

You can find more information on the 2021 race and registration process here.

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