When Is the Lottery for the NYC Marathon: Why You Need to Mark February 4 on Your Calendar

So, you want to run through all five boroughs. You've seen the clips of the Verrazzano Bridge at sunrise and the wall of sound that hits you in Brooklyn, and now you’re ready to suffer through those 26.2 miles yourself. Honestly, I don't blame you. It’s the world's biggest block party. But here’s the thing: getting to the start line on Staten Island is often harder than the actual race.

If you don't have a guaranteed spot—meaning you didn't do the whole "9+1" race grind last year or run a blistering fast qualifying time—you’re at the mercy of the draw. When is the lottery for the NYC marathon? For the 2026 race, the application window officially opens on February 4, 2026, and runs until February 25, 2026.

If you miss that three-week window, you’re basically out of luck unless you want to shell out some serious cash for a charity bib.

The Dates You Actually Care About

Let's skip the fluff. If you're looking for the 2026 cycle, these are the hard deadlines from New York Road Runners (NYRR). Keep in mind they rarely budge on these.

• February 4, 2026: Application for the non-guaranteed entry drawing opens. This is also when you claim your spot if you already earned a guaranteed entry.
• February 11, 2026: This is the deadline for "Non-NYRR Time Qualifiers." If you ran a fast marathon somewhere else (like Chicago or London) and want to use that time to get in, you have a much shorter window.
• February 25, 2026: The lottery closes. At 11:59 p.m. ET, the gates shut.
• March 4, 2026: Drawing Day. This is the day of "The Great Credit Card Charge."

The drawing itself is a bit of a localized event. Thousands of people spend the day refreshing their bank apps. Why? Because NYRR usually charges your card before they send the "You're In!" email. If you see a charge for a few hundred bucks from "NYRR Marathon" on March 4, congrats—you’re running.

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How the Drawing Actually Works

It isn't just one giant bucket of names. That would be too simple. NYRR splits the lottery into three distinct "draw pools" to make sure the race has a specific demographic balance.

1. NYC Metro Area: This is for the locals. If you live within 60 miles of New York City, you’re in this pool.
2. National: For U.S. residents outside the NYC metro area.
3. International: For everyone else coming from overseas.

People always ask which pool has the best odds. NYRR doesn't release the exact percentages for each, but the reality is that the odds are tough everywhere. We're talking low single-digit percentages. It's basically like trying to get Taylor Swift tickets, but instead of a concert, you get to run until your toenails fall off.

The Second Chance Drawing

There is a little-known perk if you're an NYRR member. If you have an active membership by February 3, 2026, and you don't get picked in the regular drawing, you automatically get tossed into a "Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing." It's a nice safety net, though it's still no guarantee.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Lottery

A lot of runners think that if they enter the lottery and get picked, they can "think about it."

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Wrong. When you apply, you have to put your credit card information in right then and there. If your name is pulled on March 4, your card is charged immediately. No "let me check my schedule," no "I need to ask my spouse." The entry fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Historically, those fees have been around $255 for members and $315 for non-member U.S. residents, with international runners paying even more. By 2026, expect those numbers to maybe creep up a bit. Honestly, you should make sure your credit card doesn't expire before March 2026. If the charge fails because of an expired card or a "fraud alert" from your bank, NYRR might try to contact you, but they can also just move on to the next person. Don't let a bank notification kill your marathon dreams.

Alternatives if You Lose the Lottery

So it’s March 5 and your bank account is still full. What now?

You can still get in, but it’ll cost you. The most common route is through an Official Charity Partner. These spots usually require a fundraising minimum—often $3,000 or more. Organizations like Team for Kids or Fred's Team are huge players here. You get guaranteed entry, but you’ll be spending your summer asking your cousins for donations.

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There’s also the International Tour Operators (ITO). If you live outside the U.S., you can book a package that includes a bib, a hotel, and sometimes flights. It's expensive, but it bypasses the lottery entirely.

Practical Next Steps for 2026

Stop waiting for a reminder email that might go to your spam folder.

1. Check your NYRR account now. Make sure you can actually log in.
2. Set a calendar alert for February 4. That is the day the "When is the lottery for the nyc marathon" question turns into action.
3. Update your payment info. Ensure the card you have on file doesn't expire before the March 4 drawing date.
4. Decide on a backup plan. If you really, really want to run NYC in 2026, look at the charity list in late February so you're ready to jump if the lottery doesn't go your way.

The NYC Marathon is a beast of an event, and the logistics start way before you lace up your shoes. Good luck. You're going to need it.