Updates to NYRR Membership and 9+1

For decades, New York Road Runners has connected its members to races, community, and unforgettable experiences, including the opportunity to earn guaranteed entry to the TCS New York City Marathon through the 9+1 program.

As demand for NYRR races has continued to grow, it has become increasingly difficult for members to register for races and volunteer opportunities, limiting access for both those pursuing 9+1 and those simply looking to race throughout the year.

In response to member feedback and pilot programs over the past 24 months, NYRR is introducing several changes designed to improve year-round race access while creating a clearer path to completing the 9+1 program.

A New Approach to 9+1

NYRR is introducing a free-to-enter annual 9+1 eligibility drawing to participate in the program.

Members selected in the 9+1 eligibility drawing become 9+1 Passholders. The 9+1 Pass provides exclusive access to our new Passholder Race Selection Process, designed to help Passholders secure entries into the qualifying races and their volunteer obligation to complete the program. 
 
The 9+1 Pass gives participants a clearer path to completing the program by helping match them with available qualifying race entries, provided they make a reasonable effort to participate throughout the year. The 9+1 Pass will cost $99 (including processing fee). 

The first eligibility drawing, for the 2027 9+1 program, will take place this September:

• Deadline to be an NYRR member to be eligible for the drawing: September 16, 2026
• Entry period: September 17–29, 2026
• Drawing date: October 1, 2026
• Members selected as Passholders will complete 9+1 throughout 2027 to earn guaranteed entry to the 2028 TCS New York City Marathon.

If you are already working toward 9+1 for the 2027 TCS New York City Marathon:

• Nothing changes for you. Members currently completing 9+1 this year will continue their existing path toward guaranteed entry into the 2027 marathon.

Membership Gets Streamlined

NYRR has also streamlined our membership offerings, eliminating , Member Plus and Family Plus membership levels. Now, all NYRR members will receive advance registration access for most non-drawing races, creating a more equitable registration process for members.

If you are a Member Plus or Family Plus member:

Beginning August 19, you will automatically transition to the standard membership and receive a prorated refund based on the remaining time in your Member Plus or Family Plus year.

More Benefits Coming Soon

These updates are just the beginning—over the next year, we’ll continue introducing new member benefits, including exclusive programming, promotions, and experiences that build on existing membership perks like discounted entries, advance registration, and access to the Member-Only Standby List.

Have Questions? Join Our Member Town Hall

Join New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer for a live episode of NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton tonight, Thursday, August 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET, where he’ll walk through these updates, explain what they mean for members, and answer questions.

NYRR members are encouraged to submit questions in advance using the form linked HERE. 

You can also visit our Membership and 9+1 FAQ page for additional details.