Runners participating in the New York City Marathon are expressing discontent with organizers, citing escalating race fees and changes to entry programs that they argue are diminishing accessibility for everyday athletes. The New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit organization behind the marathon, recently revised its popular 9+1 program. Historically, this program allowed local runners to secure a race spot by completing nine qualifying races and volunteering at one event.
Under the updated requirements, participants must also maintain an active NYRR membership through December 2026, which costs $63.45 annually. Race registration fees have also risen, now standing at $269.66 for NYRR members and $333.11 for non-members.
These changes come as the marathon, scheduled for November 1, prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of its five-borough course. Despite remaining a significant community sporting event, increased demand and more stringent entry criteria have led to friction between organizers and runners. According to New York Magazine, this year saw a record number of applications for the marathon, alongside a record number of rejections.
Stephanie Fidis, a runner who has participated in NYRR events since 2018, described the process as increasingly challenging. "Between watching your computer all day to try to get into races before they sell out and all the fees, it feels like these races are becoming more elite all the time," Fidis told New York Magazine.
NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer defended the organization's decisions, asserting that they choose not to maximize revenue, despite the potential to charge significantly more for races. "If we were a for-profit organization that was focused on maximizing our revenue, we could charge twice or more for races," Simmelkjaer stated, as reported by New York Magazine. "But we don’t make that choice, because that’s not what we are. We’re a nonprofit organization. Accessibility is a huge part of what we want to achieve."
The surge in popularity for running events globally is also a factor. Applications for the London Marathon, for instance, increased by 35 percent between 2025 and 2026, with its lottery acceptance rate falling to 1.5 percent. New York's applications have also climbed, from 185,000 in 2020 to over 240,000 this year.
Simmelkjaer explained that the organization must balance the demand from 9+1 participants with other groups seeking marathon spots, such as those participating in the charity program, which requires runners to commit to raising funds for nonprofits. "If it was allowed to grow in an unlimited way, it really starts to threaten other important groups in the marathon, most notably the charity program," he said, noting that the marathon aims to raise $100 million for charities this year.
Beyond its role as a sporting event, the marathon is a substantial economic driver for New York City, estimated to generate $800 million in spending. However, the recent entry restrictions have highlighted tensions with independent running clubs that have been instrumental in fostering the city's grassroots running culture. While acknowledging NYRR's efforts to promote diversity in the sport, some community leaders feel the organization's financial influence disproportionately impacts local running scenes and sponsorship opportunities. Parmila Phillips, leader of the New York Flyers running club, criticized NYRR for what she termed "cannibalizing" sponsorship dollars that could benefit smaller nonprofits. Maria Solis Belizaire, founder of Latinas Run, also voiced concerns about entry distribution, stating, "They’re denying more regular people access to the marathon and allocating more bibs to charities."