We at New York Road Runners believe running should be accessible for everyone. To help, we created NYRR Race Free to provide race fee assistance to those who financially qualify.
In 2026, we will offer 1,000 spots in the NYRR Race Free Program and more than 3,000 complimentary race entries, including entry for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon.
The 2026 NYRR Race Free program will include new applicants and spots will also be made available to those who participated in the 2025 NYRR Race Free program. Returning applicants will be selected by borough while new applicants will be selected by zip code, with priority given to the zip codes selected by NYC’s Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity. Participants will be selected until available spots are filled.
Through NYRR Race Free, we offer at least 100 complimentary entries to each of our weekly races (except NYRR Summer Speed Series, NYRR Cross-Country races, NYRR Team Championships 5M, and NYRR Virtual Racing), as well as complimentary entries for each of the NYRR Five-Borough Series races and the TCS New York City Marathon.
The 2026 application period is now open and closes Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The program is first-come, first-served. Runners are notified of their acceptance or non-acceptance by mid-December.
Be a resident of New York City's five boroughs (Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island)
Demonstrate need determined by annual household income at or below that indicated in the chart below
Household Size
Max Income
1
$90,720
2
$103,680
3
$116,640
4
$129,600
5
$140,000
6
$150,400
7
$160,720
8+
$171,120
Qualifying income levels are below the 80% Median Income for NYC based on household size. For income requirements click here.
How It Works
I. Annual Program Application
a. Application
Runners must apply via the application link now through to Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
b. Program Selection
Applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis based on their prior participation in the program as well as their zip code to participate in the 2026 Race Free program. Runners will be notified of their acceptance or non-acceptance by mid-December.
II. Race Selection
1. Runners accepted into NYRR Race Free need to have an NYRR account. If you don't have an account, you can sign up now. Runners will be asked to provide their race preferences and to rank their preferences if they want to run more than one race. Race slots will be allotted in order of receipt until the allocations are filled. If a Race Free participant does not receive a spot for their first race preference they will be included on the waitlist for that race. NYRR Race Free participants will provide their race preferences through four surveys: at the time of application, February, May, and August.
2. Each accepted runner may receive complimentary entry into up to six (6) races per year and will be notified of selection status via email. Runners will be given a unique registration link to register for each race. Once the form is submitted, the registration will remain “Pending” until it is reviewed by the Race Free Team after the deadline indicated in the race selection email. Registration will be confirmed after each runner’s details are verified.
3. Runners participating in the program must notify NYRR via email at racefree@nyrr.org if they wish to withdraw their race application. Race withdrawals must be submitted before the given deadline on the race registration offer email. After that point, race applications are accepted and registrations are confirmed. Once confirmed, registrations cannot be canceled. Failure to attend three (3) races you have registered for will result in removal from the NYRR Race Free program. This removal applies to any future races you have applied for as well as eligibility for future Race Free drawings. You are still welcomed to reapply for next year’s program.
Please note that the NYRR Race Free program application does not send submission confirmation. If you completed the application and did not receive a "You're not qualified for the program" message, we have received your application and will follow up with your acceptance or non-acceptance by mid-December. If you’d like more information, email racefree@nyrr.org or check out our FAQs.
Training Support
As an added benefit of NYRR Race Free, we are offering the opportunity to join complimentary training through NYRR Group Training.
NYRR Group Training is an in-person program geared towards runners of all levels who enjoy the guidance, camaraderie, and motivation of running with others. Participants accepted into the NYRR Race Free Program will receive three additional preference surveys throughout the year, in which they can also express interest in NYRR Group Training options. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, until all training slots are filled.
If you’d like more information on training, email training@nyrr.org or check out the FAQs for each training program.
Timeline
Application Period
October 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. - November 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Acceptance Notification
Mid-December 2025
January-March 2026 race selection
Late December 2025
April-June 2026 race selection
Late March 2026
July-September 2026 race selection
Mid-June 2026
October-December 2026 race selection
Mid-September 2026
2026 TCS New York City Marathon
End of March 2026 AFTER guaranteed entry closes
Testimonials
“I have loved being a part of the Race Free program and will be forever grateful. I've gone through difficult moments in my life where Race Free has truly been a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s helped me stay present and take things one step at a time. This program has genuinely changed my life and my kids’ lives for the better.”
Silvana G.
“I was not expecting to run the marathon, but when I received the email, I decided to just do it. All this running earned me two awards with Front Runners last year. I was provided with opportunities I could not afford without the financial support of NYRR's Race Free program.”
Kyle F.
“The day when I was selected for the program was the greatest day for me. I've experienced financial hardship since I've lost my city job in 2021 (due to Covid) and haven't been able to get back on my feet just yet. Working 4 jobs for three years now and still trying to catch up. I would be only dreaming to run NYRR races, but thanks to [the] Race Free Program, I can be a part of these beautifully organized races where I can feel that I am normal again from the cheers and high-fives from crowds to all the hugs from my running friends and NYRR staff and volunteers.”
Yelena W.
“My favorite race of the year so far has to be the RBC Brooklyn Half, where I got to pace my friend who started his running journey with me and was running this race for the first time. I couldn’t have done it without the Race Free Program!”
Mark M.
FAQs
1. How do I apply?
The 2026 application period opened on Monday, October 20, 2025 and will close on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. You will be notified by email by mid-December of your application status. If you are accepted into the program, you’ll need to create an NYRR account if you do not already have one.
2. I participated in NYRR Race Free in past years. Can I participate again in 2026?
Yes, as long as you meet the income and NYC resident requirements. You will need to apply again for the 2026 program.
3. What are the income requirements?
Household Size
Max Income
1
$90,720
2
$103,680
3
$116,640
4
$129,600
5
$140,000
6
$150,400
7
$160,720
8+
$171,120
Qualifying income levels are below the 80% Median Income for NYC based on household size for income requirements click here.
4. Do I need to live in NYCHA housing to qualify?
No.
5. How will participants be accepted in the NYRR Race Free program?
The program is capped at 1,000 participants and entries will be allocated to applicants who meet the requirements on a first-come, first-served basis based on prior participation in the program as well as by zip code.
6. I received an email saying I have qualified for NYRR Race Free. What do I do now?
You will receive an email for the Race Free-eligible races on the NYRR calendar for which you have been selected. Please make sure that you have an NYRR profile, or create one that is associated with your email address. Please sign up for the race by the deadline; otherwise, we will offer your spot to another applicant on the wait list.
7. I received an email saying that I have been selected for a race. What do I do now?
Open the registration link to fill out and submit your race registration form. Once the form is submitted, the registration will remain “Pending” until it is reviewed by the Race Free Team. After your details are verified, your registration will be confirmed. If you have already registered for this race as a volunteer or through another means of entry, your complimentary registration via the Race Free program will not be confirmed. Please register by the indicated deadline; otherwise, we cannot guarantee registration confirmation. Please register only if you plan to attend. Holding a spot without participating takes away the opportunity for other program participants to benefit from the complimentary entries.
8. How can I enter the NYRR Race Free drawing for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon?
The Race Free selection process for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will take place in March 2026 after guaranteed entry closes. Race Free participants will not automatically be considered for the marathon unless they opt-in on the race preference survey. Slots will be allocated to the first participants to indicate their preference until the program allocation for the race is filled.
9. I signed up for a race as part of NYRR Race Free but can no longer participate. What should I do?
You can withdraw your application to a race any time up to 2 weeks before the race, at which point applications are accepted and registrations are confirmed. Once confirmed, registrations cannot be cancelled! If you fail to attend three (3) of the races you’ve registered for, you will be REMOVED from the NYRR Race Free program, this includes any future races you have applied for as well as any future Race Free drawings. You are still welcomed to reapply for next year’s program.
10. Can I send my entry to a friend?
No, entries offered via NYRR Race Free are non-transferrable and can only be used to register the runner to whom it was sent.
11. How does race selection work?
Runners will be asked to provide their race preferences and to rank their preferences if they want to run more than one race. Race slots will be allotted in order of receipt until the allocations are filled. If a Race Free participant does not receive a spot for their first race preference they will be included on the waitlist for that race. NYRR Race Free participants will provide their race preferences through four surveys: at the time of application, February, May, and August.
Each accepted runner may receive complimentary entry into up to six (6) races per year and will be notified of selection status via email. Runners will be given a unique registration link to register for each race. Once the form is submitted, the registration will remain “Pending” until it is reviewed by the Race Free Team after the deadline indicated in the race selection email. Registration will be confirmed after each runner’s details are verified.
12. Does NYRR Race Free offer entries to NYRR virtual races?
Not at this time. Entries are only for in-person races listed.
13. I was accepted in the NYRR Race Free program and had previously paid for a race. Can I get a refund or use that race as a stipend for another race?
No. Unfortunately, we do not subsidize previously paid races or offer refunds.
14. I am injured, can I defer my TCS New York City Marathon entry to next year?
No, as this is a yearly program, deferrals to another year are not possible.
15. How will participants be selected to access training offerings?
Participants who are accepted in the 2026 NYRR Race Free program and expressed interest in NYRR training (NYRR Group Training) during the application process will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis until all training slots are filled. Runners will be assigned training sessions based on interest and availability.
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