The New York City Marathon is returning in November, with a field of 33,000 runners.
The five boroughs will once again be filled with runners this fall.
The following written content by Andrew Dawson
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 canceling the 2020 race because of the coronavirus pandemic, New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit organization 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.
“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 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 for NYRR members and $295 for non-members.
Organizers will also offer a virtual option again in 2021. Registration for that begin on June 10. That will officially operate between October 23 and November 7. Read more from Runner’s World.
