NYRR Race Free
Photo Credit: MarathonFoto
Thank you for your interest in the NYRR Race Free program.
The 2024 NYRR Race Free program is currently closed, and we are no longer accepting participants into the program for this calendar year.
We invite you to apply for the 2025 NYRR Race Free program, which is expected to open in September 2024.
We at New York Road Runners believe running should be accessible for everyone. To help, we created NYRR Race Free for New Yorkers to provide race fee assistance to those who qualify financially.
As part of our mission to help and inspire people through running, NYRR Race Free offers over 3,000 complimentary race entries annually, including potential entry to the TCS New York City Marathon and the NYRR Five-Borough Series.
Through NYRR Race Free, we offer 100 complimentary entries to each of our weekly races (except Summer Speed Series, cross-country races, and NYRR Team Championships 5M), as well as complimentary entries to the TCS New York City Marathon and each of the NYRR Five-Borough Series races.
The 2024 application period is September 28 through December 1, 2023. There is one application period per year. The program is capped at 1,000 participants and entries will be allocated to the first 1,000 applicants who qualify for the program. Application period will close on 12/1/23 or when the program cap is reached, whichever date is sooner.
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old as of January 1, 2024
- Be a resident of New York City five boroughs
- Earn an annual household income at or below that indicated in the chart below
| Household Size | Max Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $79,120 |
| 2 | $90,400 |
| 3 | $101,680 |
| 4 | $112,960 |
| 5 | $122,000 |
| 6 | $131,040 |
| 7 | $140,080 |
| 8+ | $149,120 |
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
- Runners must apply via the application link from September 28 to December 1, 2023, for the 2024 NYRR Race Free program.
- Runners will be notified by December 15, 2023, if they are accepted into the program.
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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 be entered for race entry drawings only to those races that match their preferences provided in the application form (distance, location, times, etc.) NYRR will conduct drawings three times per year, in December 2023, February 2024, and May 2024.
2. Each accepted runner may receive up to six (6) complimentary entries per year and will be notified of drawing status via email. Runners will be given a unique invitation code to register for each race. You will need to 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. Participants will be automatically included in each drawing for the types of races they have indicated on their application. There will also be a separate question in the annual program application to opt in for the TCS New York City Marathon drawing.
4. Runners participating in the program are encouraged to email NYRR in advance if they cannot make a race so that other runners can utilize the entry and participate.
If you’d like more information, email racefree@nyrr.org or check out our FAQs.
Timeline
| Application Period | September 28th – December 1, 2023 |
| Acceptance Notification | Mid-December |
| T1 2024 races - Drawing | Mid-December |
| T2 2024 race - drawing | February |
| T3 2024 races - drawing | May |
| 2024 TCS New York City Marathon | TBD |
Testimonials
Silvana G.
Haley S.
Cliff N.
FAQs
How do I apply?
The 2024 application period is now open and will close on December 1, 2023 or when the program cap is reached, whichever date is sooner. You will be notified by email by mid-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.
I participated in NYRR Race Free in 2023, can I participate again in 2024?
Yes, as long as you meet the income and NYC resident requirements. You will need to apply again for the 2024 program.
What are the income requirements?
| Household Size | Max Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $79,120 |
| 2 | $90,400 |
| 3 | $101,680 |
| 4 | $112,960 |
| 5 | $122,000 |
| 6 | $131,040 |
| 7 | $140,080 |
| 8+ | $149,120 |
Qualifying income levels are below the 80% Median Income for NYC based on household size for income requirements click here.
Do I need to live in NYCHA housing to qualify?
No.
How will participants be accepted in the NYRR Race Free program?
The program is capped at 1,000 participants and entries will be allocated to the first 1,000 applicants who qualify for the program.
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.
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.
How can I enter the NYRR Race Free drawing for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon?
The Race Free drawing for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon will take place in February 2024. Race Free participants will not automatically be considered for the marathon drawing unless they opt-in on their application.
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 so that other Race Free runners can participate. Please use this email address only if you are a Race Free participant. If you let us know at least 96 hours in advance of the race start, then the race will not count as part of your 6 allotted races, and you will be allowed to register for another race instead.
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.
How does race selection work?
You will be asked to provide your preferences for race types in the application (distance, location, times, etc.). You will only be entered for drawings to races that match your preferences.
I was accepted in the 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 races or offer refunds.