How to Apply as an Athlete with Disability (AWD)

For the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, New York Road Runners (NYRR) is adding Para Athletics categories to the existing offerings, which will provide results in comparison to athletes that fit into each of the categories.

To be eligible to participate in a Para Athletics category, runners must possess a permanent visual, intellectual, or physical disability (as defined by World Para Athletics, the governing body) that impacts their ability to participate in New York Road Runners’ races. Eligible participants must be able to self-propel the entire marathon distance by their own volition within the course time limit of 8 hours and 3 minutes. Runners with acute injuries or temporary conditions are not eligible for these categories. 

The Para Athletics categories are for athletes who hold a national or World Para Athletics (WPA) classification or who return the TCS New York City Marathon Disability Documentation Form (to be provided after acceptance).

Following are the competitive racing and participatory opportunities for Para Athletes and participation for other athletes requesting ADA accommodations for the TCS New York City Marathon.

Para Athletics Categories

Low Vision and Blind

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes with visual disabilities who hold a national or WPA classification or will return the TCS New York City Marathon Disability Documentation Form (to be provided after acceptance).

The Low Vision and Blind category is for athletes that have reduced or no vision caused by damage to the eye structure, optical nerves or optical pathways, or visual cortex of the brain. Examples of an underlying health condition that may lead to vision disability include retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy.

World Para Athletics classifications for this category will include T11, T12, and T13 athletes.

More information about World Para Athletics Impairments and Classifications

Intellectual and Developmental Disability

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes who have an intellectual disability and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics classification or will return the TCS New York City Marathon Disability Documentation Form (to be provided after acceptance).

Intellectual and Developmental Disability category is for athletes who have a restriction in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior which affects conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills required for everyday life. This impairment must be present before the age of 18.

World Para Athletics classifications for this category will include T20 athletes.

More information about World Para Athletics Impairments and Classifications

Co-ordination Difficulties / Hypertonia / Ataxia / Athetosis

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes with a coordination disability, and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics classification or will return the TCS New York City Marathon Disability Documentation Form (to be provided after acceptance).

Co-ordination Difficulties / Hypertonia / Ataxia / Athetosis category will include WPA classification of T35–T38 and has disabilities as follows: athletes with hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system; athletes with ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system [or nerve cell dysfunction]; and athletes with athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements. Examples of an underlying health condition that may lead to these disabilities include cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and multiple sclerosis among others.

More information about World Para Athletics Impairments and Classifications

Lower Limb Disability

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes who run with or without lower limb prostheses and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics classification or will return the TCS New York City Marathon Disability Documentation Form (to be provided after acceptance).

Lower Limb Disability category is for athletes with Limb Deficiency having total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia).

World Para Athletics classifications for this category will include T61-T64, and T42-T44.

More information about World Para Athletics Impairments and Classifications

Upper Limb Disability

This division provides a competitive opportunity for athletes who run with or without upper limb prostheses and who hold the appropriate national or World Para Athletics classification or will return the TCS New York City Marathon Disability Documentation Form (to be provided after acceptance).

Upper Limb Disability category if for athletes with Limb [difference or disability] having total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma (for example traumatic amputation), illness (for example amputation due to bone cancer) or congenital limb deficiency (for example dysmelia).

World Para Athletics classifications for this category will include T45, T46, and T47.

More information about World Para Athletics Impairments and Classifications

Pushrim Wheelchair

This category is for athletes who have a physical disability and who use a pushrim wheelchair or a daychair with a FreeWheel^TM attachment to participate.

Athletes who intend to use a pushrim wheelchair or wheelchair with a FreeWheel^TM attachment must select “Pushrim Wheelchair” category on the application.

A racing wheelchair or wheelchair with a FreeWheel^TM attachment must be used; no other type of wheelchair will be permitted on the event course. An athlete may participate using a day chair, if a FreeWheelTM is attached to lift the front small casters of the day chair off the ground and replace them with one large wheel that may be set in a fixed position. For safety reasons, athletes may not participate using a day chair without a FreeWheel or other non-racing wheelchair.

Any participant in the wheelchair program must wear a helmet at all times while in the wheelchair. Athletes not wearing helmets will not be allowed to start the TCS New York City Marathon and are subject to removal from the course.

The rules applicable to the TCS New York City Marathon prohibit entry by a person who will be pushed or pulled in a wheelchair or stroller by another person unless the person was invited to participate in the Duo Team Exhibition (details below). To participate using a wheelchair, athletes must be able to propel themselves through the course, unassisted and unaccompanied.

Handcycle Exhibition

A Handcycle Exhibition will take place as part of the TCS New York City Marathon. Participation using a handcycle provides an alternate means of participation for athletes who, due to the nature of their physical disability, are not able to use a racing wheelchair or participate with prosthesis. The Handcycle Exhibition is a non-competitive participatory event, with no awards or prize money. For the safety of all runners, a pace vehicle will be provided for the Handcycle Exhibition. The pace vehicle will move at a pace of approximately 3 minutes and 40 seconds per mile. The pace vehicle will complete the course in approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. All participants are required to stay a minimum of 25 meters behind the pace vehicle at all times. The vehicle reserves the right to slow the pace down to ensure that the professional wheelchair race is not impeded in any way.

Athletes who intend to use a handcycle may register through a charity or an International Tour Operator. Upon contacting the charity or International Tour Operator manager, please indicate that you are an athlete with a disability, and they will assist with the proper protocol and seek approval with New York Road Runners. A result from a half marathon or marathon completed on a certified course within two (2) years from the date of the email and the athlete’s anticipated finish time for the TCS New York City Marathon Handcycle Exhibition (should the runner be approved) is required. In addition, a photo of the handcycle to be used will also be required, if approved. Athletes who intend to use a handcycle should not make travel, hotel, or other arrangements for the event until they have been notified that they have been approved to register. If approved to register, athletes must select “Handcycle Exhibition” category on the application at the time of registration.

The rules applicable to the TCS New York City Marathon prohibit entry by a person who will be pushed or pulled in a handcycle by another person. To participate using a handcycle, athletes must be able to propel themselves through the course unassisted and unaccompanied. In addition,

• Any participant using a handcycle must wear a helmet at all times while in the handcycle.
• Any participant using a handcycle must have an orange visibility flag on a 5’-6’ flexible pole/stick attached to the handcycle by a bracket at all times while in the handcycle.
• Handcycles with motors or pedals are not permitted. No additional gear-, crank-, or chain-powered cycling equipment may be used by participants, including foot-powered recumbent bikes, tricycles or bicycles.

Duo Team Exhibition

New York Road Runners will have a Duo Team Exhibition for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. This exhibition will be offered to interested participants and with a limited number of teams. Due to demand, we will be utilizing a drawing to identify the teams that will be invited to participate.

A duo team is comprised of an individual with no physical, intellectual, or visual disability that impacts the individual’s ability to ambulate or participate in the sport of running (the pusher) who “pushes” a non-ambulatory individual with a permanent physical disability (the pushee) in a customized wheelchair, specific for outdoor road racing. Both team members must meet the event registration and pairing requirements.

Duo teams interested in participating in the marathon must contact the Duo Team Exhibition manager at DuoTeams@nyrr.org. Limited entries are available, and a drawing will be conducted to identify participant teams from those that have submitted initial required information. This information deadline will be Friday, July 10, 2026, by 4:00 pm (ET).

For the Duo Team Exhibition application and additional information, please click here. 

For further information, please email duoteams@nyrr.org.

Other Athletes Requesting ADA Accommodations

This category is for runners (ambulatory) who have a visual, intellectual, or physical disability and participate “on foot,” including runners who use prosthesis or running blades that chose not to participate in a Para Category or have other ADA accommodation needs.

*If a runner believes participation in these programs would be appropriate, though the runner does not possess an eligible impairment type listed above or has questions, please email nyrrawdteam@nyrr.org.

All applicants for the TCS New York City Marathon must register themselves, including applicants to the AWD categories. For assistance with the online registration form, please contact NYRR Runner Services at 855-5MY-NYRR (855-569-6977). Runners who are interested in being a part of one of these categories may apply through a charity or an International Tour Operator. To participate in one of these categories, please indicate to the charity or International Tour Operator that you are an athlete with a disability (AWD), and they will assist with the proper protocol and seek approval with NYRR. Runners must select on the application for the event the eligible disability type and method of participation.

Para Athletics Categories

All Para Athletics categories follow World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations of competition.

Other Athlete Requesting ADA Accommodations

Please click here for the Rules of Competition.

Pushrim Wheelchair

All Para Athletics categories follow World Para Athletics Rules and Regulations of competition.

Athletes that are utilizing a daychair with a FreeWheel^TM attachment are required to follow these same rules.

Handcycle Exhibition

The Handcycle Exhibition is a non-competitive participatory event, with no awards or prize money. For the safety of all runners, a pace vehicle will be provided for the Handcycle Exhibition. The pace vehicle will move at a pace of approximately 3 minutes and 40 seconds per mile. The pace vehicle will complete the course in approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. All participants are required to stay a minimum of 25 meters behind the pace vehicle at all times. The vehicle reserves the right to slow the pace down to ensure that the Professional Wheelchair race is not impeded in any way.

The rules applicable to the TCS New York City Marathon prohibit entry by a person who will be pushed or pulled in a handcycle by another person. To participate using a handcycle, runners must be able to propel themselves through the course unassisted and unaccompanied. In addition,

• Any participant using a handcycle must wear a helmet at all times while in the handcycle.
• Any participant using a handcycle must have an orange visibility flag on a 5’-6’ flexible pole/stick attached to the handcycle by a bracket at all times while in the handcycle.
• Handcycles with motors or pedals are not permitted. No additional gear-, crank-, or chain-powered cycling equipment may be used by participants, including foot-powered recumbent bikes, tricycles or bicycles.
• Handcyclist must give right of way to any athlete, event/emergency vehicle, or other moving device and are required and recommended to stay on either side of the road.

Duo Team Exhibition

The Duo Team Exhibition is a non-competitive participatory event, with no awards or prize money. The following rules apply:

• The Pushee must be non-ambulatory, have a permanent physical impairment and be secured in a customized racing wheelchair.
• One Pusher with no physical, intellectual, or visual impairment that impacts the individual’s ability to ambulate or participate in the sport of running must push the Pushee the entire race distance within the official race time limit of 8:30; relay teams or the substitution of another runner for the Pusher will not be permitted.
• The Pusher must always maintain contact and control with the customized racing wheelchair throughout the race; this individual pushing the customized racing wheelchair must have a tether on the chair.
• Only the registered Pusher is permitted to propel the customized racing wheelchair forward; no outside assistance is permitted.
• Only the registered Pushee is permitted to ride in the customized racing wheelchair.
• It is strongly recommended that the Pushee in the customized racing wheelchair always wear a safety helmet during the race.
• Motors, pedals, cranks, or gears are strictly prohibited.
• Duo Teams must move to the side of the road if an official race vehicle needs to pass them.

AWD-Athletics Categories

All para athletes will be scored in their identified categories by gender. This will allow for all these athletes to be scored against others in their specific category.

Other Athletes Requesting ADA Accommodations

Athletes who are participating in this category will be scored with the open field of runners.

Pushrim Wheelchair

All pushrim athletes will be scored in this category.

Handcycle Exhibition

Handcycle Exhibition is a non-competitive category. Athletes will be tracked and scored outside general results in this category, giving them comparisons to others whothat participated in the exhibition.

Duo Team Exhibition

Duo Team Exhibition is a non-competitive category. Athletes will be tracked and scored outside general results in this category, giving them comparisons to others who participated in the exhibition.

Para Athletics Categories

The top three men, women, and nonbinary finishers will receive an award in the identified categories by gender. Please note that there must be a minimum of three (3) athletes for awards to be presented.

There is no prize money associated with these para categories.

Other Athletes Requesting ADA Accommodations

Athletes who are participating in this category will be scored with the open field of runners and age group awards will be presented for top three men, women, and nonbinary finishers.

Pushrim Wheelchair

All pushrim athletes will be scored in this category. Awards and prize money are presented top three men, women, and non-binary finishers.

Handcycle Exhibition

Handcycle Exhibition is a non-competitive category. Athletes will be tracked and scored outside general results in this category, giving them comparisons to others who participated in the exhibition.

No awards or prize money for handcycle exhibition.

Duo Team Exhibition

Duo Team Exhibition is a non-competitive category. Athletes will be tracked and scored outside general results in this category, giving them comparisons to others who participated in the exhibition.

No awards or prize money for Duo Team exhibition.