New York Marathon 2025: Date, Start Time, Qualifying, and Odds

Getting into the New York City Marathon has never been more competitive — or more possible. The 2025 race drew a record 59,226 finishers across a field that included lottery entrants, time qualifiers, and charity runners, reflecting how the event has grown beyond an elite competition into a mass-participation milestone.

Date: November 2, 2025  |  Start Time: 8:00 AM  |  Finishers (2025): 59,226  |  Final Finisher: 12:30 AM (November 3, 2025)  |  Distance: 26.2 miles

The table below summarizes the key facts every runner needs for the 2025 race.

What time starts the New York Marathon 2025?

What is the NYC Marathon 2025 start time?

The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon starts at 8:00 AM on November 2, 2025. The first wave of runners, including elite athletes and wheelchair competitors, begins at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. Subsequent waves follow at staggered intervals based on projected finish times. NYRR official race page confirms the 8:00 AM start for the 2025 edition.

What time does the NYC Marathon officially end?

The official cutoff ends when the final finisher crosses the line in Central Park. For the 2025 race, the final official finisher, Juan Pablo, crossed at 12:30 AM on November 3, 2025, according to the NYRR results page. This means the marathon course remains open for approximately 16.5 hours from the 8:00 AM start. Runners who cannot maintain a minimum pace of roughly 15 minutes per mile may be asked to board sweep buses.

“Juan Pablo crossed the finish line at 12:30 AM on November 3, 2025, as the final official finisher of the 2025 NYC Marathon.” — @nycmarathon Instagram

The pattern: The 16.5-hour window accommodates walkers and slower runners, making the NYC Marathon one of the most inclusive major marathons in the world for finishers of all paces.

What date is the 2026 New York Marathon?

The 2026 New York City Marathon is scheduled for the first Sunday of November, which falls on November 1, 2026. While NYRR has not yet posted the official date on their website, the race has followed the first-Sunday tradition since 1976. NYRR official race page will confirm the 2026 date when registration opens.

When does registration open for the 2026 NYC Marathon?

Registration for the 2026 NYC Marathon will likely open in early 2026, following the pattern of previous years. For the 2025 race, the non-guaranteed general entry drawing ran from February 11 to February 25, 2025, as published on the NYRR drawing page. A similar timeline is expected for 2026, with an application window in February 2026.

What is the lottery schedule for 2026?

Based on the 2025 schedule, the lottery for the 2026 NYC Marathon will likely open in February 2026 and close later that month. The drawing took place after the application period ended, and results were announced in early March — in 2025, NYRR announced record demand on March 6. RRM reported that more than 200,000 applications were received for the 2025 drawing.

“We received more than 200,000 applications for the 2025 marathon drawing, reflecting unprecedented demand for participation in this iconic event.” — NYRR announcement, March 2025

What this means: Runners targeting the 2026 race should plan to apply in February 2026 and expect lottery results by early March, with odds likely similar to 2025 given the sustained surge in demand.

How fast do you have to run to qualify for the New York Marathon?

NYC Marathon qualifying times for 2025

NYRR maintains a marathon time qualifiers page that lists automatic qualifying standards. Runners who meet these times are not guaranteed entry — only the top 25 percent of non-NYRR qualifiers are accepted. According to a report from RRM, successful qualifiers typically need to beat the standard by at least 13 minutes and 20 seconds to secure a spot.

Age group qualifying standards

Qualifying times vary by age and gender. The standards below reflect NYRR published benchmarks for the 2025 cycle:

• Men 18-34: Marathon 2:51:00 or Half Marathon 1:19:00 — NYRR time qualifiers
• Men 35-39: Marathon 2:53:00 or Half Marathon 1:21:00 — NYRR time qualifiers
• Women and Nonbinary 18-34: Marathon 3:13:00 or Half Marathon 1:32:00 — Runner’s World guide
• Women and Nonbinary 35-39: Marathon 3:15:00 or Half Marathon 1:34:00 — Runner’s World guide

Older age groups have progressively slower standards. Full tables are available on the NYRR time qualifiers page.

How to submit a qualifying time

Runners who have run a certified marathon or half marathon within the qualifying window can submit their results through the NYRR time qualifier portal. Follow these steps:

1. Run a certified marathon or half marathon at or below the NYRR standard for your age and gender group.
2. Create or log in to your NYRR account on the NYRR time qualifiers page.
3. Upload your official race results and verify that the race is USATF-certified or equivalent.
4. Wait for NYRR to review and approve your qualifying time — this can take several weeks.
5. If accepted, register during the designated qualifying entry period.

What are the odds of getting into the NYC Marathon?

How hard is it to get into the NYC Marathon?

Getting into the NYC Marathon is widely considered one of the toughest lottery processes among major marathons. For the 2025 race, RRM reported that NYRR received more than 200,000 applications for the drawing. With only 59,226 finishers in 2025, the acceptance rate for lottery applicants was approximately 10-15%, according to editorial analysis from The Independent.

Can a regular person run the NYC Marathon?

Yes. The NYC Marathon offers several pathways beyond the lottery. Charity runners, who raise funds for an official partner organization, receive guaranteed entry. In 2025, thousands of runners entered through charity teams. Time qualifiers who meet NYRR standards and are accepted also earn guaranteed spots. For a regular runner without a fast marathon time, the charity route is the most reliable option, though it requires a minimum fundraising commitment — typically between $2,500 and $5,000 depending on the organization. NYRR official site lists partner charities.

What are the chances of winning the lottery?

The lottery acceptance rate for the 2025 race was approximately 10-15%, based on the number of applicants and available spots. The drawing uses separate applicant pools for runners living in the New York City area, elsewhere in the United States, and outside the United States, as detailed by The Independent. This structure means that odds vary slightly by pool — local runners may have a marginally higher chance, though NYRR does not disclose exact pool-specific rates.

What is the 10-10-10 rule for marathons?

How to pace a marathon using the 10-10-10 rule

The 10-10-10 rule is a pacing strategy designed to prevent early burnout and produce a strong finish. It splits the 26.2-mile race into three segments: run the first 10 miles at your goal pace, the next 10 miles 10 seconds slower per mile, and the final 10 kilometers at 10 seconds faster per mile. This approach helps conserve energy for the latter stages of the race, when fatigue typically sets in. Runner’s World guide describes the 10-10-10 rule as a practical framework for evenly distributed effort.

Why the 10-10-10 rule helps prevent hitting the wall

Hitting the wall — when glycogen stores run dry and the body shuts down — often results from starting too fast. The 10-10-10 rule forces a conservative early pace, allowing the body to burn fat more efficiently and delay glycogen depletion. By intentionally slowing during the middle segment, runners avoid the common trap of going out too fast in the first half. The final 10k acceleration then capitalizes on preserved energy. While the exact splits can be adjusted based on individual fitness and course conditions, the principle of negative splitting (running the second half faster than the first) is supported by multiple studies cited in endurance sports literature.

“The 10-10-10 rule is a pacing strategy designed to prevent early burnout and produce a strong finish.” — Runner’s World guide

The pattern: Runners who apply the 10-10-10 rule consistently report fewer late-race slowdowns and more even overall times compared to those who start at a pace they cannot sustain.

What We Know and What’s Still Unclear

The following lists summarize confirmed facts and areas where details remain uncertain for the 2025 and 2026 NYC Marathon.

The pattern: Most of the unclear items center on the 2026 cycle, which NYRR will likely clarify when registration opens in early 2026.

Related reading: **Dublin Marathon 2025 Route**

Frequently Asked Questions