{"id":36238,"date":"2025-11-11T17:50:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/36238\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:50:09","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:50:09","slug":"how-to-get-into-and-train-for-the-2026-nyc-marathon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/36238\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Into and Train for the 2026 NYC Marathon"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Estimated4 min read<\/p>\n

Nearly 60,000 runners took to the streets of the Big Apple over a week ago for the 2025 New York City Marathon<\/a>\u2013and we\u2019re still buzzing with excitement. That\u2019s because it\u2019s not too early to begin thinking about 2026<\/a> and how you can make your NYC dreams a reality.<\/p>\n

And the best part? You don\u2019t have to wait until next year to start planning ahead for crossing the Central Park finish line.<\/p>\n

Before you hit the ground running (literally) toward your NYC Marathon goals, use our resources as the perfect starter pack to ensure you not only earn a coveted entry<\/a>, but wear your bib proudly on race day knowing you prepared properly.<\/p>\n

Related StoriesDetermine How You Plan to Qualify<\/p>\n

The NYC Marathon may be one of the largest marathons in the world, but it\u2019s also one of the toughest to get into. Thankfully, you can use a handful of different methods to gain your bib for 2026.<\/p>\n

You can start by testing your luck and entering the lottery drawing<\/a>, but it\u2019s very selective. Only 2 to 3 percent of prospective runners who entered the 2025 lottery snagged an entry (nearly equal to the admissions rates of prestigious universities like Harvard and Stanford). Racer hopefuls can enter the drawing beginning February 4.<\/p>\n

Prefer to challenge your speed instead? You can race another 26.2-mile race before the end of the year\u2013and hit the time qualifier for your age category\u2013to potentially earn a spot on the 2026 start line. If you\u2019re looking toward the 2027 NYC Marathon, you can qualify for the race by running a fast half at a NYRR half marathon in 2026<\/a> (though you\u2019ll have to meet the time standard for your age group to qualify).<\/p>\n

But the options don\u2019t end with the lottery drawing and qualifying on time. By raising money for a charitable organization, you can not only grab a bib, but also support a cause you care about along the way. There\u2019s also still time left this year for you to successfully complete the popular NYRR 9+1 program<\/a> and earn a guaranteed entry if you only have a couple races left on your to-do list.<\/p>\n

For a complete list of the ways you can get yourself a 2026 NYC Marathon bib, visit our full qualifying guide.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related StoryBuild a Base<\/p>\n

Even before the lottery window opens, you can begin preparing for the 26.2 miles that\u2019s\u2013hopefully\u2013ahead of you. By building a solid fitness foundation now<\/a>, you can prepare your body for the increased intensity and mileage that typically comes with a marathon build.<\/p>\n

Implementing a base-building phase<\/a> into your routine allows you to gradually add miles, build your aerobic fitness, and listen to your body. Plus, you\u2019ll incorporate strength work<\/a> and cross training<\/a> sessions into your regimen to prevent nagging injuries.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just your body that benefits from building a base\u2013gaining confidence and simply enjoying running as you lay a foundation will make you mentally stronger<\/a> heading into the intense training phase.<\/p>\n

You can begin building your base now\u2013even before you have your entry email in your inbox\u2013with the help of our 8-week plan.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related StorySelect the Perfect Training Program<\/p>\n

Aiming for a personal best, or simply looking to successfully cross your first marathon finish line? No matter what your personal objectives are for NYC, we have a training program<\/a> tailored to help you meet them.<\/p>\n

Our collection of marathon training plans<\/a> takes the guesswork out of structuring your workouts and helps you navigate your race day preparation. That includes plans for those striving for time goals\u2013even as fast as sub-3:00\u2013along with programs for runners looking to accomplish their marathon using the run\/walk method.<\/a> You name the goal, and we have a plan for it.<\/p>\n

To explore all of our marathon training plan options, head to our full collection.<\/a><\/p>\n

Marathon Training Plans\"Chevron\"ChevronRelated StoryDiscover How to Master the Marathon<\/p>\n

What if you could learn how to train for and race 26.2 miles through the five boroughs from some of the top marathoners and coaches in the business? Enter our How to Master the Marathon<\/a> program, led by pro distance runner and coach Nell Rojas and featuring additional expert advice from former NYC Marathon champion himself, Meb Keflezighi.<\/p>\n

In the guide<\/a>, you\u2019ll learn how to nail every phase of your race prep, from the long run<\/a> to fueling.<\/a> Then, you can discover how to put all of your hard work into action on marathon Sunday with important race day strategies.<\/p>\n

Once you have both your NYC entry<\/a> and training plan<\/a> in hand, learn how you can optimize your training block and race day strategies with tips from our expert-led program.<\/a><\/p>\n

What other running dreams and goals get you motivated to head out the door each day? Join Runner\u2019s World+<\/a> to make chasing those aims a success, unlocking access to our entire library of expert-curated plans, programs, stories, and more.<\/a><\/p>\n

Related StoryBecome A Stronger Runner With These Exclusive Training Programs\"Chevron\"Chevron\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

Ashley is Editor of Content Hype at Hearst\u2019s Enthusiast & Wellness Group. She is a former collegiate runner at UNC Asheville where she studied mass communication. Ashley loves all things running; she has raced two marathons, plus has covered some of the sport\u2019s top events in her career, including the Paris Olympics, U.S. Olympic Trials and multiple World Marathon Majors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"4 min read Nearly 60,000 runners took to the streets of the Big Apple over a week ago…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":36239,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[15583,9,56,63,65,64],"class_list":{"0":"post-36238","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york-city","8":"tag-hype","9":"tag-new-york","10":"tag-ny","11":"tag-nyc","12":"tag-nyc-headlines","13":"tag-nyc-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36238\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}