New York, June 11, 2019 – The TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 26.2M Powered by Strava is returning for a second consecutive year and will include four different registration tiers, including an uncapped free tier, when registration opens on June 19. The 2019 TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 26.2M race period will begin on October 31 and finish on November 3, the same day as the in-person marathon. It will be part of the New York Road Runners’ Virtual Racing Series Powered by Strava, which allows runners anywhere in the world to run a race at their convenience and location of their choice during a specified period of time.

“We are delighted to bring back our Virtual Marathon and open it up to everyone around the world,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “Together with Strava, we have been able to bring our NYRR Virtual Races, including the marathon, to people of all abilities to make an impact in more than 100 different countries and make running an NYRR race more accessible than ever before.”

The inaugural TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 26.2M last year had 424 finishers from 26 countries and 39 states, ranging in age from 21 to 67.  Spots were available at a first-come, first-served basis, with registration filling up in seven hours. Those who ran the virtual marathon received guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon. Due to last year’s high demand, NYRR is increasing registration opportunities for the Virtual Marathon year.

Runners can register for the Virtual Marathon in the following ways:

• Limited 2020 Entry Methods
  • 500 entries will be made available on a first-come first-serve basis at a $125 NYRR Member/$150 Non-Member price, with finishers receiving guaranteed entry to the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon and a medal.
  • 200 entries will be made available on a first-come first-serve basis at a $125 NYRR Member/$150 Non-Member price to those who raise $500 or more for Team for Kids, NYRR’s charity running team that raises funds for NYRR’s free youth programs. Finishers will receive the same benefits as mentioned above, in addition to Team for Kids benefits.
• Unlimited Sweepstakes Entry Method
  • An unlimited number of entries will be available at a $50 NYRR Member/$60 Non-Member price, with finishers receiving a medal and entry into a sweepstakes for a guaranteed place in the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon. Fifty winners will be randomly drawn in the sweepstakes.
• Unlimited Free Entry Method
  • An unlimited number of entries will be available for free for those wanting to run without the extra benefits, with runners still having the chance to be a part of the global competition.

Ultramarathoner Michael Wardian will be taking part in this year’s TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 26.2M, serving as an ambassador for the race and running it on a home course in Virginia on Saturday, November 2. Wardian has run the in-person New York City Marathon four times in his career. Earlier this year, he completed the World Marathon Challenge for the second time, running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.

“I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to race the Virtual Marathon this year,” Wardian said. “I love the fact that runners of all abilities have the opportunity to compete during a specific period of time in an environment of their choice. I am also stoked that NYRR virtual races help benefit youth and community programs and inspire people through running.” 

The NYRR Virtual Racing Series, launched in beta together with Strava at the start of 2018, allows runners anywhere in the world to run a race at their convenience and location of their choice during a specified period of time. Since launching, the NYRR Virtual Racing Series has had more than 57,000 finishers from over 100 countries ranging in age from 18 to 99. Proceeds from the virtual races support NYRR’s mission to help and inspire people through running, and benefit NYRR’s youth and community programs.

“We are thrilled with the success of NYRR’s 2018 virtual race series and the impressive participation from runners around the world,” said James Quarles, CEO of Strava. “We truly believe in the power of community to motivate athletes to be their best, and offering virtual races in partnership with NYRR creates new goals for more runners.”

For more information on the NYRR Virtual Racing Series, please visit www.nyrr.org/run/virtualracing.