NYRR Race Free
Applications for 2025 NYRR Race Free are closed.
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 2025, we will offer 1,000 spots in the NYRR Race Free Program and more than 3,000 complimentary race entries, including entry for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.
A pool will be allocated to participants that were accepted to the 2024 NYRR Race Free Program (Returning Applicants) and a pool will be allocated to new Race Free Applicants (New Applicants). 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 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.
This year, NYRR Race Free will offer training for select 2025 Race Free participants through NYRR Group Training and NYRR x Runna. Participants will be selected until available spots are filled based off interest expressed in the program application.
Runna is proud to support the New York Road Runners' Race Free program, helping to make running more accessible to all.
The 2025 application period opened Tuesday, November 12 at 12 p.m. noon ET and closed Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and accepted runners were notified by late December.
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old as of January 1, 2025
- Be a resident of New York City's five boroughs
- Earn an annual household income at or below that indicated in the chart below
| Household Size | Max Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $86,960 |
| 2 | $99,440 |
| 3 | $111,840 |
| 4 | $124,240 |
| 5 | $134,160 |
| 6 | $144,080 |
| 7 | $154,080 |
| 8+ | $164,000 |
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 from Tuesday, November 12 at 12:00 p.m. to Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
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b. Program Selection
Applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be selected on a first come first serve basis based on their prior participation in the program as well as their zip code to participate in the 2025 Race Free program. Runners will be notified by late December, if they are accepted into the program.
II. Race Selection
1. Runners accepted into NYRR Race Free need to have an NYRR account (Don't have an account? Sign up now) Runners will asked to provide their race(s) preferences, including ranking their preferences if they want to run more than one race. Race slots will be given in order of receipt until the allocations are filled. If a Race Free participant does not receive a spot for their 1st race preference they will be included on the waitlist for that race. NYRR will send out a survey for race preferences four times per year, in December 2024, March 2025, June 2025 and August 2025. There will also be a separate question in the first survey for the TCS New York City Marathon.
2. Each accepted runner may receive complimentary entry into up to six (6) races per year and will be notified of drawing status via email. Runners will be given a unique invitation code to register for each race. Each chosen runner must sign up for the race by the deadline indicated in the race selection email; otherwise, your spot will be offered to a participant on the wait list.
3. Runners participating in the program must notify NYRR via email in advance if they cannot make a race so that other runners can utilize the entry and participate.
III. Training Selection
Participants who are accepted in the 2025 NYRR Race Free program and expressed interest in NYRR training offerings (NYRR Group Training or NYRR x Runna) in the application will be selected on a first come first serve basis until all training slots are filled. Runners will be assigned training sessions based on interest and availability.
If you’d like more information, email racefree@nyrr.org or check out our FAQs.
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 you application and will be in touch once applications are approved.
Timeline
| Application Period | November 12 :00 p.m. - November 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Acceptance Notification | Late December 2024 |
| January- March 2025 races- drawing | Late December 2024 |
| April-June 2025 races- drawing | Early March 2025 |
| July-Sepetember 2025 races- drawing | Early June 2025 |
| October-December 2025 races- drawing | Late August 2025 |
| 2025 TCS New York City Marathon | End of March 2025 |
Testimonials
Tanya B.
Claire L.
Cliff N.
FAQs
1. How do I apply?
The 2025 application period will open on Tuesday, November 12 at 12 p.m. noon ET and will close Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET. You will be notified by email by late 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 2024, can I participate again in 2025?
Yes, as long as you meet the income and NYC resident requirements. You will need to apply again for the 2025 program.
3. What are the income requirements?
| Household Size | Max Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $86,960 |
| 2 | $99,440 |
| 3 | $111,840 |
| 4 | $124,240 |
| 5 | $134,160 |
| 6 | $144,080 |
| 7 | $154,080 |
| 8+ | $164,000 |
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 on a first come first serve basis based on prior participation in the program as well as by zip code to applicants who meet the requirements.
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 or create an NYRR profile 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?
Log into your NYRR account, select the race for which you have been selected, click “Add to Cart,” and enter the invitation code included in your selection email. Please do this by the indicated deadline; otherwise, we will offer your spot to another applicant on the wait list.
8. How can I enter the NYRR Race Free drawing for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon?
The Race Free selection process for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon will take place in March 2025. 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?
Please email racefree@nyrr.org if you cannot participate in a race that you have registered for through Race Free. Please use this email address only if you are a Race Free participant.
10. Can I send my invitation code to a friend?
No, invitation codes are non-transferrable and can only be used to register the runner to whom it was sent.
11. How does race selection work?
You will be asked to provide your preferences for in-person race types in the quarterly surveys.
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 2025 NYRR Race Free program and expressed interest in NYRR training offerings (NYRR Group Training or NYRR x Runna) during the application process will be selected on a first come first serve basis until all training slots are filled. Runners will be assigned training sessions based on interest and availability.