Marathon Placement Time Verification FAQs
Any runner who anticipates running the TCS New York City Marathon in a time of 4:00:00 or faster may submit a placement time from a certified in-person marathon or half marathon. The submitted placement time will be used to place athletes in a proper wave and corral. A submitted placement time will not be needed for runners who have an NYRR best pace from an NYRR race longer than 3 miles or runners who gain entry as a time qualifier.
Accepted Placement Times
- Placement times must have been achieved between January 1, 2024 and the time you submit your application.
- Placement times from a marathon must have a net (chip) time of 4:00:00 or faster. Placement times from a half marathon must have a net (chip) time of 1:57:20 or faster.
- Placement times must be run at an event that has a certified full or half marathon course. Race courses must be certified by USA Track and Field, Association for International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), World Athletics, or a national governing body for distance running for the country in which the race is held. To check if a race is certified, please contact the event you are intending to compete in directly.
- Times from indoor marathons, virtual marathons, triathlons, and any other distances besides a full or half marathon will not be considered for placement purposes. Personal times through Strava or a GPS device (e.g. Garmin, Apple Watch) will not be accepted.
- All placement times must be verifiable through the race’s results page.
If you don't submit a placement time, or if the submitted time is not validated or approved, you will still be able to participate in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. However, you may be placed into a later wave or corral.
I haven’t run a half or full marathon within the accepted window (2024-present). Can I still apply to run the marathon?
Yes, you can still apply and register for the marathon without submitting a placement time. If you do not have an NYRR best pace, and a placement time is not submitted, you may be placed in a later wave or corral. Placement times will only be used for wave and corral placement and will not impact your registration status.
I am already registered for the TCS New York City Marathon and I have now run a faster half or full marathon. Can I update my placement time for a faster wave and corral placement?
Runners who wish to submit a faster marathon race result, which could qualify them for an earlier start wave assignment, must do so by September 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET, following these guidelines:
- Submit request to: https://help.nyrr.org/s/contactsupport
- Runners must provide the official race link (URL) from an in-person, certified marathon completed between February 26, 2026 and September 10, 2026. Race results from indoor marathons, virtual marathons, triathlons, shorter distances and training runs will not be considered. Personal times through Strava or a GPS device (e.g. Garmin, Apple Watch) will not be accepted.
Will the time I submit impact my chances in the drawing?
No, submission of placement time will not have an impact on the drawing selection process.
I have an NYRR best pace from the past two years; should I also submit a placement time?
New York Road Runners will use your NYRR best pace for wave and corral placement, even if you submit a placement time. Athletes who have earned guaranteed entry through 9+1 or a time qualifier entry have an NYRR best pace and will not be asked to submit a placement time in the registration form.
Do I need to submit a time if I am planning to run slower than a 4:00:00 marathon?
No, NYRR will use your NYRR best pace or estimated time to place you in your wave and corral and will not require a placement time if you plan to run slower than a 4-hour marathon.
Can I submit a distance other than a full or half marathon?
No, NYRR will only accept placement times from a certified in-person full or half marathon course.
When will my placement time be approved?
New York Road Runners will verify placement times on a rolling basis through the registration process and may update your estimated finish time based on your placement time. Final wave and corral placements will be communicated prior to the event date.