New York Marathon Runners Slam Organizers Over Rule Change

Runners preparing for the New York City Marathon are pushing back against higher race fees and accusing organizers of making the iconic event increasingly difficult for everyday athletes to enter.

The New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit organization that manages the marathon, has also revised its popular 9+1 program. The initiative allows local runners to earn a place in the race by completing nine qualifying events and volunteering at one additional qualifying opportunity.

Runners must remain active NYRR members through December 2026, with annual membership costing $63.45. Qualifying races are listed on the individual event pages.

But the tougher requirements, combined with rising expenses, have prompted some participants to question whether the marathon is moving further out of reach for ordinary New Yorkers.

Registration now costs $269.66 for NYRR members and $333.11 for those without memberships.

This year’s marathon is scheduled for November 1 and will mark the 50th anniversary of the event’s five-borough course.

The race remains one of New York City’s defining community sporting traditions. Still, soaring demand and more restrictive entry rules have heightened friction between the organizers and the runners hoping to take part.

According to New York Magazine, applications reached a record high this year, as did the number of runners turned away.

The increasingly competitive application process has intensified debate over the true cost of participation and whether recreational runners can keep pace with NYRR’s financial and logistical demands.

Stephanie Fidis, a 33-year-old publishing professional who has taken part in NYRR races since 2018, said entering events now feels progressively more 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, 55, defended the group’s policies, saying the nonprofit could significantly raise prices but has chosen not to pursue maximum revenue.

‘If we were a for-profit organization that was focused on maximizing our revenue, we could charge twice or more for races,’ Simmelkjaer said, according to 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,’ Simmelkjaer said.

The controversy comes as running events around the world experience a surge in interest. New York Magazine reported that applications for the London Marathon rose 35 percent between 2025 and 2026, while the lottery acceptance rate dropped to 1.5 percent.

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New York’s applications have also climbed, rising from 185,000 in 2020 to more than 240,000 this year.

For nearly 40 years, the 9+1 program has given local runners a way to improve their chances of securing a marathon entry.

However, some participants believe the latest changes are shifting opportunities away from community runners and toward other entry routes, including charity fundraising.

Simmelkjaer said the organization must balance demand from 9+1 participants with other groups seeking marathon spots. 

He specifically pointed to the charity program, through which runners gain entry by committing to raise money for nonprofit organizations.

‘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,’ Simmelkjaer said.

‘This year, we’re looking to raise $100 million for nonprofits,’ said Simmelkjaer.’

Beyond the race itself, the marathon is an important source of economic activity for New York City, generating an estimated $800 million in spending.

The restriction has highlighted tensions between the organization and independent running clubs that have helped build New York’s grassroots running culture.

Some community leaders acknowledge NYRR’s efforts to make the sport more diverse.

Others argue that its financial power gives it too much influence over the local running scene and sponsorship opportunities.

Parmila Phillips, who leads the Manhattan-based New York Flyers running club, has criticized NYRR for what she describes as ‘cannibalizing’ sponsorship dollars that could otherwise support smaller nonprofits, according to New York Magazine.

Maria Solis Belizaire, founder of Latinas Run, also questioned how marathon entries are distributed.

‘They’re denying more regular people access to the marathon and allocating more bibs to charities,’ Belizaire told New York Magazine.