The increasing interest in the New York City Marathon is impacting local race registrations, making it harder for casual runners to participate in events scattered across the year.
Many runners aim to complete the New York Road Runners' (NYRR) 9+1 program, where finishing nine races and volunteering once guarantees entry into the next NYC Marathon. However, this has created a challenge: the surge in registrations often overwhelms those simply seeking to enjoy a more casual 5K or 10K.
Matthew Forys, NYRR’s vice president of strategy, noted, “We have a lot of runners that are searching for 9+1 and trying to run the marathon, but we have a lot of members that are not. They’re just trying to run our races and be involved in our wonderful running community.”
To address this issue, NYRR is enacting changes to the 9+1 program for the 2028 marathon. Runners wishing to participate will now need to be selected through a drawing set for late September 2027. The drawing, free to enter, will select at least 15,000 participants who will then pay a $99 fee.
According to NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer, the new approach will help regulate the number of participants aiming for the 9+1 qualification. “It is setting a cap on how many people can attempt 9+1 in the calendar year of 2027,” he explained, emphasizing that this measure is expected to significantly limit demand for race spots.
Key Details on the Revised Program
The upcoming adjustments to the 9+1 program include:
- The drawing for participation will run from September 17 to 29, 2027.
- Eligibility is restricted to NYRR members who must maintain their status through October 1.
- The nominal fee for selected runners will designate them as “9+1 Passholders,” ensuring a more streamlined registration process for required races and volunteer responsibilities.
- Current participants in the existing 9+1 program, aimed at the 2027 marathon, will not be affected.
- NYRR is eliminating the “Member Plus” and “Family Plus” tiers, which previously allowed some members priority registration for races, as they no longer serve a purpose in the new framework. Existing members in these tiers will receive prorated refunds.
Simmelkjaer further articulated the rationale, stating, “With this program, with the drawing, and with the 9+1 pass, that reason for Member Plus existing really kind of goes away.” The goal is to create a more equitable environment for all members when attempting to enter races.
Although NYRR has not disclosed expected participation numbers for the drawing, Simmelkjaer suggested that a significant portion—estimated around 75 to 80 percent—may receive an entry. This will give NYRR clearer insights into which runners are pursuing the 9+1 opportunity.
By regulating the number of 9+1 participants, NYRR anticipates that additional marathon entries will free up in its March bib lottery drawing. For instance, in March 2026, more than 240,000 athletes entered, yet only 1 percent gained acceptance.
“We want to align the size of the 9+1 program with the available race capacity,” Simmelkjaer noted. He hinted at an ambition to enlarge its current drawing for the 2028 NYC Marathon, a goal the organization is actively pursuing.
Engagement with Local Running Communities
NYRR's leadership reached out to various local running groups to discuss the registration frustrations many face and potential adjustments to the 9+1 program, emphasizing the need to keep the marathon a community-centered event. Simmelkjaer reiterated that “we want to maintain a healthy balance for the different marathon entry methods.”
He added that the focus shouldn't solely be on marathons. “There are a lot of people out there who just want to run a 5K or a 10K, maybe two or three races a year,” he asserted, ensuring that casual runners are not overlooked in the rush for marathon entries.
This move by NYRR is part of a broader trend among major marathons to adjust structures in response to surging demand. For instance, London recently announced it would host its marathon over two days in 2027 to accommodate an additional 40,000 runners, while Boston has added an extra 1,000 spots specifically for those who fall short of the traditional qualifying time.
For further details regarding NYRR’s changes to the 9+1 program, more information is available here.
