The ITO Program at New York Road Runners welcomes runners from the global running community to the streets of New York City to run. NYRR considers global demand for NYRR events and carefully allocates race entries in select regional markets. NYRR selects tour operators who are committed to providing an excellent experience to runners on their journey to New York and the selected NYRR event(s). We seek tour operators who have experience planning and executing travel packages with other world-class sporting events, especially running races. The ability to commit adequate resources and energy to marketing and selling entries is critical to the success of NYRR’s relationship with any selected tour operator.
Please review the current ITO requirements and other relevant information below before applying.
Legal Compliance
- ITOs must apply annually, even if returning, to be considered for the following year’s program.
- ITOs must be licensed to do business as an accredited travel provider in the country where the ITO is applying to sell entries to NYRR events.
- ITOs must provide proof of accreditation as an official travel agency or tour operator in each country the ITO is applying to sell entries to NYRR events. International Air Transport Association (IATA) certifications are acceptable.
- ITOs applying to the Program for the first time and ITOs that have partnered with NYRR for less than three years, must submit a letter of recommendation from two (2) of the ITOs' current race partners. Letters of recommendation must be submitted to NYRR by the application deadline to be considered.
- ITOs must enter into an agreement with NYRR for guaranteed entries.
- ITOs must comply with applicable NYRR polices and administrative requirements.
- ITOs that have violated NYRR’s ITO Program requirements or have a history of violating the policies of any of the Abbott World Marathon Major races are not eligible for entries.
- ITOs that are not in good standing with any of the countries where they sell entries are not eligible for entries.
Selection Criteria
Acceptance into the ITO Program is conditioned on market demand and availability in the ITO’s respective region. NYRR may, in its sole discretion, place a cap on the number of ITO entries in a given region.
- New ITOs in a region with market availability will be evaluated based on the following:
- Demonstrated compliance with NYRR’s ITO Program requirements
- Demonstrated performance planning and managing travel packages with other endurance or large race events
- Demonstrated marketing capabilities
- Demonstrated ability to sell entries to large- scale endurance events
- Reputation within the running industry
- Returning ITOs are not guaranteed acceptance into the ITO Program year over year and a returning ITOs’ entry allocations are subject to change based on market demand.
- Returning ITOs will be evaluated based on the following:
- Demonstrated compliance with NYRR’s ITO Program requirements
- Demonstrated performance planning and managing travel packages for past NYRR events
- Demonstrated marketing abilities
- Past performance selling entries to NYRR events
- Reputation within the running industry
Entry Allocations
Entry allocations are based on the number of available entries per race, and the demand and race entries available in each region. NYRR may, in its discretion, set a cap on race entries based on market saturation.
- New ITOs must commit to a minimum number of 20 entries for the TCS New York City Marathon; and/or a minimum number of 5 entries for all other NYRR events available through the ITO Program (i.e., United Airlines Half, RBC Brooklyn Half, Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, and TCS New York City Marathon).
- Returning ITOs are expected to commit to sell a meaningful number of entries, if available.
- ITOs are prohibited from transferring entries without NYRR express written permission. Any transfer of entries must be facilitated directly by NYRR.
Accommodation and Transportation
- ITOs must provide either hotel accommodation in New York City or a round-trip flight to New York City for race weekend, or both with entries.
- ITOs may provide additional benefits at their discretion.
ITOs must provide race-day transportation for their runners to the TCS New York City Marathon Start Village on Staten Island. ITOs can either provide a charter bus to the Start Village or require their ITO runners to select a transportation option provided by NYRR. ITO runners cannot arrange their own transportation to the TCS New York City Marathon Start Village.
Marketing and Communications
- ITOs are required to promote and market their NYRR race entries on their website and social channels, as applicable. NYRR will provide ITOs with a marketing toolkit.
- ITOs must post updated race dates and available package offerings (via their website, email, social media or through print media) of their tours to NYRR events within thirty (30) days of signing the agreement for each respective race and maintain such postings until the conclusion of the event.
- ITOs must submit to NYRR contact names, phone numbers, and hotel accommodations for ITO staff in New York City during race week/weekend.
- ITOs are required to respond to all correspondence from NYRR within five (5) business days.
Fees and Pricing
ITO fees cover guaranteed race. entries and must be paid in advance by the ITO.
Invoices are sent per event and must be paid via wire transfer. Credit card payments are not accepted. NYRR does not issue refunds.
The 2026 pricing is listed below. Pricing for the 2027 racing calendar will be updated when acceptance into the program and entries are confirmed.
- 2026 TCS New York City Marathon $625/ entry
- 2026 Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K (limited number for ITOs contracted to the TCS New York City Marathon): $35 / entry
- 2026 United Airlines NYC Half: $225 / entry
- 2026 RBC Brooklyn Half: $150 / entry
New York Road Runners reserves the right to accept or reject ITOs based on the above criteria and take into consideration any global or market factors.
How to Apply
The application to become an Official International Tour Operator for the 2027 NYRR Racing Calendar will open on July 6, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET and will close on July 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.