The application to become an Official International Tour Operator (ITO) of New York Road Runners (NYRR) events is now open. It will remain open until 31 July 2025, at 5:00PM EST.
Please read the current requirements and other relevant information below to prepare for the application.
ITO Program Application Criteria
- Tour Operator is expected to apply annually, even if returning, to be considered for the following year’s program.
- Tour Operator must be licensed to do business in the country in which the tour operator intends to sell entries for NYRR events.
- Tour Operator must be able to prove they are accredited by their country via a board of tourism or other legal entity as an active and official travel agency or tour operator. IATA certifications are acceptable.
- Tour Operator must be able to demonstrate experience in planning and managing travel packages with other world-class sporting events, particularly endurance or large race events.
- New Tour Operators must be able to commit to a minimum number of 20 entries for the TCS New York City Marathon, and a minimum of 5 entries for all other events available through the ITO program during their initial year of the ITO Program.
- Tour Operators are required by NYRR to make a marketing commitment based on their entry investment.
- Tour Operators are required by NYRR, at minimum, to provide either hotel accommodation in New York City or a round-trip flight to New York City for race weekend (or both) to all runners who are provided with entry. A Tour Operator may choose to provide other additional benefits.
- For the TCS New York City Marathon, NYRR requires ITOs to provide race-day transportation for their runners to the Start Village on Staten Island. This transportation can either be a charter bus arranged by the ITO or by instructing runners to select a transportation option provided by NYRR. ITO runners may not elect to ‘have their own transportation’ on race morning.
- Tour Operators are required to post via their website, email, social media or through print media the updated race date along with available package offerings for their tours to NYRR events within thirty (30) days of signing the agreement for each respective race and remain posted until the conclusion of the event.
- NYRR requires that Tour Operators report all race week contact names and relevant contact information and the location of race-week accommodations for their staff.
ITO Fee
ITO fees cover the runner’s guaranteed entry. Each guaranteed entry carries a cost to be paid upfront by the Tour Operator. Invoices are sent to each ITO per event with respective deadlines to allow for payments, which must be made via wire transfer. No credit card payments will be accepted. The Tour Operator is expected to pay for all their entries; no refunds will be processed.
The 2025 pricing is listed below. Pricing for the 2026 racing calendar will be updated when acceptance into the program and entries are confirmed.
- 2025 TCS New York City Marathon $625/ entry
- 2025 Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K (limited number for ITOs contracted to the TCS New York City Marathon): $35 / entry
- 2025 United Airlines NYC Half: $225 / entry
- 2025 RBC Brooklyn Half: $150 / entry
- 2025 Mastercard Mini 10K: $50 / entry
Allocations
Approved Tour Operators will be allocated a certain number of entries, determined by the NYRR International Tour Operator (ITO) Team, based on the Tour Operator's demand by home country per each race, their demonstrated marketing capabilities, their reputation within the running industry, and sales history (if applicable) with NYRR. New York Road Runners seeks established Tour Operators who have the capacity to take on and sell a meaningful number of entries, when available.
Once a Tour Operator has signed the contract, the number of entries for that event will not be adjusted. Additionally, transferring entries from one event to another, from one year to the next, or from one current ITO partner to another is not permitted. No refunds will be processed.
New York Road Runners holds the right to accept or not accept ITOs into the program based on the above criteria as well as the demand in each country for the races which are part of the ITO Program, and the current number of ITOs in their respective country.
How to Apply
The application to become an Official International Tour Operator for the 2025 NYRR Racing Calendar is now open.
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. 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 email tours@nyrr.org with any questions.