NYRR Unveils Plan to Attempt to Ease Race Registration Woes

May 5, 2026

New York Road Runners has announced a pilot program to attempt to serve runners at New York City events who aren’t trying to race the New York City Marathon.

Three races and two training runs in August and September will have bibs set aside for runners who are not trying to participate in the organization’s popular 9+1 program. That program gives runners who have done nine NYRR weekly races and have volunteered once guaranteed marathon entry for the following year.

The demand for entry into the NYC Marathon—and by extension, the 9+1 program—has made it extremely difficult for runners to register for races in the five boroughs at shorter distances.

According to NYRR, setting aside entries for non-marathon hopefuls will not affect the number of entries for the 9+1 program. RUNNER’S WORLD