2021 TCS New York City Marathon: Frequently Asked Questions

We are optimistically looking ahead to the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon on November 7. The health and wellbeing of the running community remains our top priority. We are working with our city, state, and agency partners to plan a safe and exciting event, and we hope to have more specific details to share later this spring.

Dates for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon application period will be announced at a later date. NYRR is working closely with government officials and medical experts to determine the necessary health and safety protocols to establish the appropriate field size and registration dates for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. We will communicate with runners, beginning with those affected by the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon cancellation, via email, our website homepage, and social media channels.

NYRR’s race cancellation policy will remain in place for future New York City Marathons (2021, 2022, 2023). If future New York City Marathons are canceled for any reason, NYRR will announce resolution options and process.

Runners were able to complete the 9+1 qualifier program in 2020; however, they are not guaranteed entry to the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. With the health and safety of runners during the ongoing global pandemic being our top priority, the field sizes for future NYRR events have yet to be determined. NYRR will work closely with government officials and medical experts to determine the necessary health and safety protocols to establish the appropriate field sizes for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon and other events.

Runners who completed the 2020 9+1 program will be asked to participate in a future marathon (2021, 2022, or 2023) selection process in the next few months; we will not be able to guarantee first-choice options.

NYRR members* earned race credits in two ways:

• Completed scored, qualifying races in 2020 (including virtual 9+1 qualifying races).
• Were registered for qualifying races that were canceled and chose the TCS New York City Marathon 9+1 qualifier credit option as their race cancellation resolution.

The +1 Volunteer portion of our program was waived in 2020, due to limited volunteer opportunities.

9+1 credit will not be granted to 2020 TCS New York City Marathon registrants.

*Membership requirements will be determined for the future marathon selection process.

The 2021 9+1 program for guaranteed entry to a future New York City Marathon is yet to be determined. Our focus continues to be the health and safety of everyone involved. NYRR is working closely with city officials and will share future updates as they become available.

NYRR is working closely with government officials and medical experts to determine the necessary health and safety protocols to establish the appropriate field size and registration dates for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. We will communicate with runners, beginning with those affected by the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon cancellation, via email, our website, and our social media channels.

Runners who earned guaranteed entry to a future marathon in 2020 will be asked to participate in a future marathon (2021, 2022, or 2023) selection process in the next few months. You may not be guaranteed your preferred year due to potential limitations to future field sizes. As we work through the planning process with government officials, we will make it a priority to share information as it is determined.

Due to the expected demand and potential limitation to field size, runners will not have the option to earn guaranteed entry to the 2021 Marathon through our Time Qualifier program.

Runners who earned guaranteed entry to a future marathon through multiple methods in 2020 will be able to select a future marathon for each entry they earned (for example, they can select guaranteed entry to 2022 and guaranteed entry to 2023). Further details on the selection process and timeline will be announced in the next few months. You may not be guaranteed your preferred year due to potential limitations to future field sizes. As we work through the planning process with government officials, we will make it a priority to share information as it is determined.

All entries are non-transferable.

If necessary, NYRR will communicate prioritization at a later time.

NYRR is working closely with government officials and medical experts to determine the necessary health and safety protocols to establish the appropriate field size for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon. After the appropriate field size is determined, NYRR will communicate whether there will be an entry drawing for non-guaranteed runners.

Streakers and 15+ Marathoners did not receive credit for the canceled 2020 TCS New York City Marathon, but their streak remained intact. Runners who would have reached 15 Marathon finishes if 2020 were run can reach out to NYRR Runner Services when the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon application opens.

Charity runners who either selected guaranteed entry to a future marathon during the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon resolution or were submitted by their charity to receive guaranteed entry to a future marathon, will receive further details on the selection process and timeline in the next few months. These runners may not be guaranteed their preferred year due to potential limitations to future field sizes.

As we work through the planning process with government officials, we will make it a priority to share information as it is determined. Charity runners who paid their own race registration fee in 2020 will have complimentary entry to the future marathon. Charity runners who did not pay their own race registration fee in 2020 will pay their race registration fee when they register for the future marathon. Charity runners who selected a refund or didn't make a selection in the resolution will not be eligible for guaranteed entry to a future marathon.

Charity runners should reach out to their charity with any questions about fundraising.

Runners who gained entry through an International Tour Operator (ITO) should review the booking and cancellation policies of their respective ITO and contact their respective ITO representative with any questions.

In Fall 2020, NYRR re-introduced in-person running events through the Return to Racing Project, featuring many health and safety protocols and limited to a few hundred runners in compliance with city and state event guidelines. We are steadily growing our race capacities in 2021 in coordination with city and state officials. Exact health and safety protocols for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon will be announced at a later date.

Yes, the fourth-annual Virtual TCS New York City Marathon Powered by Strava will be held in 2021. Exact race dates, registration opening dates, and registration tiers will be announced at a later date.

NYRR normally hosts approximately 50 in-person running events annually. In addition to the cancellation of the 2021 United Airlines NYC Half, NYRR will not be organizing its normal schedule of races in the first quarter of 2021. In fall 2020, NYRR re-introduced in-person running events through the Return to Racing Project featuring many health and safety protocols and limited to a few hundred runners in compliance with city and state event guidelines. More information on the 2021 race calendar will be shared when it is available.