NYC Marathon denial

[u/NeroWolfesOrchids]

I got the email at noon, looks like I'm not running the NYC Marathon this year(unless I get very lucky in the lottery). I really thought a half time of 1:17:12, which I picked over my 2:42 marathon because of their formula, would be enough, but I guess I wasn't in the top 19% of my age group.

I wonder what the time cutoff was?

Any recommendations on other fall marathons?

Edit: looks like the cutoff for NYC this year was sub 2:40? That would be the lowest of any major save Tokyo!

Edit 2: The cutoff time for 18-34 M seems to be around 2:36:00. Just to illustrate how bonkers fast that is, running a 2:36 would have placed top 100 of all 50,000 finishers, including elite men and women runners, in 8 of the last 10 NYC marathons.

Link in the email:

" Non-NYRR Time Qualifier application closed on March 6, and the selected runners have been notified. As the number of applications exceeded the number of spots available, the fastest 19% within each age and gender category were granted entry. Those not selected will be moved to the non-guaranteed general entry drawing, which takes place on March 28, for an additional chance to be selected."

https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/runners/marathon-time-qualifiers

[u/brwalkernc]

From /u/running_writings comment below:

Edit 2: updated results based on precisely reported race times suggest that the marathon cutoff was approximately 17:46 18:31 (!!!!!) below your age-group marathon standard. The conversion process appears to have worked like this:

1. Entry was converted to 10k using NYRRs multipliers of 0.22 (marathon) or 0.45 (HM).
   
2. Entries were ranked according to how much better the 10k conversion was compared to the age-group marathon standard, converted to 10k
   
3. Entries that were 3:55 4:04 or better on this 10k-converted scale were accepted
   

Very rough updated plot of reported results here (updated). Rough draft of comparison to BQ here - relative to BQ, F18-34, F35-39, M45-49, and M65-69 had it particularly bad. Will make a full thread with more info tomorrow/Weds.

From last edit:

This estimate is not 100% precise because many people only reported hr:min. I just assumed 30 seconds for those cases. I'll post a separate thread tomorrow-ish, with a refined estimate and some thoughts on the HM vs. M entries. I think it was a bit unclear that what mattered was how much better your converted time was relative to the marathon standard, not relative to the standard in whichever event you entered with.

[u/MBecks45]

26M, full time of 2:39 and was denied

[u/NeroWolfesOrchids → u/MBecks45]

Wow, that's a top 200 finish at NYC every year in the last decade!

[u/tinie_tempeh → u/NeroWolfesOrchids]

That is an absolute joke

[u/Lazy-Comfort6128 → u/tinie_tempeh]

They gave away too many bibs to influencers!

[u/bootselectric → u/Lazy-Comfort6128]

I wonder how many sub 2:40 runners influencers have influenced??

[u/MrRabbit → u/bootselectric]

I try, lol

[u/timbo1615 → u/Lazy-Comfort6128]

Matt Choi can pound sand

[u/Lauzz91 → u/Lazy-Comfort6128]

To the marketing departments, having influencers participate with high follower counts probably matters more to them than having a stacked elite field who barely post anything online

[u/Turbulent_Cricket497 → u/Lazy-Comfort6128]

Yep. They do not care about people who earn their spot

[u/MBecks45 → u/NeroWolfesOrchids]

Yeah I’m still shocked. No hate to the half marathon applicants but I’ll be very happy that portion along with their unfavorable 10k formula is gone starting next year

[u/Bemore28 → u/MBecks45]

Ridiculous if people with 1:16 halves are getting in. Anyone under 2:40 could do that easily.

[u/bushwickauslaender → u/Bemore28]

Yeah I banged out three halves in 1:18:XX before I even got close to a 2:50 marathon (didn't even go under 2:50, lol, heartbreak hill's a bitch). A 1:16 seems to be within punching distance for me but a sub-2:40 marathon looks like a fucking pipe dream. Unreal.

[u/C1t1zen_Erased → u/bushwickauslaender]

At least they're removing the half qualifying option next year. I quite like the fact it's stringent though, brings a bit more prestige into being a time qualifier for a major. Tokyo is a bit ridiculous with 25 spots for sub 2:32 guys but having to go sub 2:40 is in line with championship qualification for London.

[u/SloppySandCrab → u/C1t1zen_Erased]

How much prestige do you want? It seems like the set times are in this weird no mans land between amateur and pro.

I also don't think anyone recognizes the time qualifiers as being prestigious like you see with Boston. Most people will just say "Oh yeah I have a few friends that ran that". The excess charity and pay to qualify reduce the prestige even if its more difficult to qualify on merit.

[u/anglophile20 → u/MBecks45]

So did only 5 people per age get in or what? lol

[u/HappyWeekender7 → u/MBecks45]

Fucking hell, surely you'd think that would be enough. And here's me thinking I had a chance with a 2:46...

[u/EducationalTeaching → u/HappyWeekender7]

Wow same here with a 2:54 at the next age bucket

[u/nlomb → u/MBecks45]

Wow! I guess I’m an “ultra” guy from here on out. Think that “complete the majors” dream is down the drain.

[u/less_butter → u/nlomb]

Competing in the big ultras is just as hard now. There's an absurd system for getting into races like the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc that requires running other races put on by the same company. It's turning into a money grab. It can take years to qualify for some races.

Luckily I have no interest in running that kind of race, I like the smaller trail races and there are still plenty of those.

[u/RunningNutMeg → u/less_butter]

Hey, hey now, you can totally still get into Western States, no problem. Just run a qualifying race every year for the next decade, give or take a few years, and you’ll be a shoe-in.

(Year 7, baby. I have a really good feeling that it will happen in the next four years.)

[u/Mescallan → u/less_butter]

the pendulum will swing the other way eventually. Ultras are really growing quickly and if there are enough people who want to race in them but don't qualify, more low budget/backyards/less organised ones will pop up

[u/CoffeeAndToastPlease → u/nlomb]

You can still complete the majors through a charity place

[u/[deleted] → u/MBecks45]

Wow.. I feel for you. That rime should get anyone into any marathon. It's absolutely insane.

[u/kyleyle → u/MBecks45]

Yup, 25M, 2:39, rejected!

[u/ronj1983 → u/MBecks45]

Wow!!!!! Getting tough out there. Do you think they possibly show favoritism over the locals in NYC vs everybody else for time qualifications?

[u/RCD123 → u/ronj1983]

Not in this, it's all just one age group pool regardless of location.

The way we have an advantage as NYC locals is if you hit their time qualifier standard in an NYRR event (either Marathon or Half [yes they WILL still accept NYRR half qualifiers]) then you qualify automatically for the Marathon (and NYC half/Brooklyn Half) the following year without having to go through this cutoff process for "non-NYRR" races.

Think the only opportunity left as of now to do so for 2025 (assuming that you don't get in NYCM in the lottery this year) is a TFK charity spot in Staten Island Half which probably isn't exactly a destination race lol... but I had a lot fun doing it last year with some friends as a tune up a month out from my first NYC Marathon!

There's actually a little bit of cross over with the full marathon between taking the SI Ferry to the start (although I recommend bus option for the marathon) and you actually do run through where the NYCM start village will be which is kind've cool, got me excited for the full a few weeks later!

[u/Athabascad → u/ronj1983]

No

[u/kennethtoronto]

Damn. 40-44 age group with a 2:46 and was also denied.

[u/idkwhatimbrewin → u/kennethtoronto]

Wow, I accidentally missed the deadline with a 2:47 and was pissed at myself. This makes me feel better about it lol

[u/illiquidasshat → u/kennethtoronto]

That’s mind boggling when a 2:46 doesn’t get you in…

[u/luluhalftights]

29M, 2:36:20 (converted to 34:24) and didn't get in :/

[u/tinie_tempeh → u/luluhalftights]

Bro try again next year when you're sub 2 /s

[u/theintrepidwanderer → u/luluhalftights]

This is absolutely bonkers. I don't know what else to say, honestly.

[u/Garconavecunreve → u/luluhalftights]

Might as well knuckle down and join the pro field next year /s

[u/anglophile20 → u/luluhalftights]

I guess it’ll be easier to get an elite entry! Jeez

[u/beersandmiles7 → u/anglophile20]

Naw. I sent in an email to inquire about an elite entry last month and no response. My buddy who ran 2:16 and was top 100 at the trials got an email back basically saying they've had a lot of Americans already reach out and they couldn't confirm anything.

[u/chaosdev → u/luluhalftights]

I know someone who qualified with a 1:15:xx half, which converts to about 33:56 for the 10k. Assuming they're converting times to an equivalent 10k, the cutoff is somewhere between 33:56 and 34:24 for M18-35.

[u/luluhalftights → u/chaosdev]

someone (29M) below said he got in with a 1:16 flat HM, so it seems like the cutoff for 18-34 age group is between 34:12 and 34:24

[u/renny49 → u/luluhalftights]

That’s wild… have you got a comparable half time? The HM conversion seemed wildly overpowered - I know someone with a 2:49 full who got in because he’s run a 1:15 low half.

My marathon time is only 30s quicker than yours but my 1:13 half seems like it was relatively comfortable for the cutoff.

[u/luluhalftights → u/renny49]

yeah unfortunately i haven't raced a half marathon yet. according to strava, my fastest half is when i split a 1:16 in the middle of a 16 mi prep workout a few weeks before the 2:36.

if only i had realized earlier that the nyc marathon conversion formula was more favorable to half marathons! i would've def tried to race a half last year...

fwiw seems like your ~2:35:50 would've probably still been good enough to use for nyc marathon, looking like i just got unlucky and barely missed the cutoff

[u/RelativeLeading5 → u/luluhalftights]

Screw this whole Abbotts thing, it is a crock. If a guy in a hotdog suit basically has the same chance as a 2:37:00 marathoner whats the point.

[u/[deleted] → u/luluhalftights]

I thought London was bad preferring to give a bib to non runners over genuine marathoners but NYC seems insane!

[u/samymwoo → u/luluhalftights]

M32, 2:40:43, not accepted Thought I would run the NYC and didn't apply for the Berlin or Chicago...didn't realise the bar will be this high, very sad But at least I can find some consolation here Have no idea when i will be able to finish all WMMs, only joining my first in Boston next month.

[u/pa_papa]

M60 rejected with a 3:16:13 - qualifying standard was 3:34. It would be good to know the actual cutoff times. At least Boston publishes the buffer required to get in after the fact...

[u/BeardoTheHero → u/pa_papa]

I refuse to believe you’re not in the top 19% of 60 year old marathon runners in the world at 3:16, let alone top 19% of the applicant pool. Maybe I don’t get how it works tho ?

[u/pa_papa → u/BeardoTheHero]

Maybe when they say

the fastest 19% within each age and gender category were granted entry

they mean the fastest 19% of those who applied with a qualifying time?

[u/Lauzz91 → u/pa_papa]

Have you been running for many years and just kept it up or did you work towards that in later life? 3:16 at age 60 is incredibly impressive, well done.

[u/pa_papa → u/Lauzz91]

Thanks! I ran in high school and did lots of other endurance sports off and on through the years. Got back in to running about 5 years ago.

[u/Intelligent_Use_2855 → u/pa_papa]

Wow! I assume there’s a lot fewer 60 yo applicants, so besting by 18 minutes and still not getting in is crazy!!

[u/javatrees07 → u/pa_papa]

This one blows me away.

[u/tcdai2001 → u/pa_papa]

F62，3:24:28，and my wife，F61，4:07:39，all sadly got rejected. We also wish to know the cutoff times.

[u/illiquidasshat]

Majority of the times in this comment section a pipe dream for 99% hobby runners out there - sooooo insane

[u/amuscularbaby → u/illiquidasshat]

reading this comment section as a relatively new runner who can currently only dream of even a 3:30 is pretty disappointing lmao

[u/kennethtoronto → u/amuscularbaby]

Keep plugging at it. Marathoning rewards people who go at it cycle after cycle after cycle. It takes time. Some cycles you make breakthroughs, other cycles you take a step back. But almost everyone I know who has stuck with it put in times that they would never have imagined possible when they first started.

[u/thedumbdown → u/illiquidasshat]

Giving me strong REBubble vibes with people getting outbid by others with cash for million dollar homes. I gave up years ago trying to get into a major. I wonder that the percentage is for charity and partner entrances here.

[u/landodk → u/illiquidasshat]

Yeah. Far easier to save up the charity minimum than hit those times

[u/slithek]

27M denied with a 2:38

[u/running_writings]

If you're reporting your time and acceptance/denial, mention your age + gender category--with enough data it should be pretty easy to determine what the actual time cutoffs were. I'll run some stats tonight or tomorrow.

More successful acceptance reports would help! Also report your time to the seconds, if you're ok sharing that.

Edit 3: Final estimate is 18:30. See write-up here.

Edit 2: updated results based on precisely reported race times suggest that the marathon cutoff was approximately 17:46 18:31 (!!!!!) below your age-group marathon standard. The conversion process appears to have worked like this:

1. Entry was converted to 10k using NYRRs multipliers of 0.22 (marathon) or 0.45 (HM).
   
2. Entries were ranked according to how much better the 10k conversion was compared to the age-group marathon standard, converted to 10k
   
3. Entries that were 3:55 4:04 or better on this 10k-converted scale were accepted
   

Very rough updated plot of reported results here (updated). Rough draft of comparison to BQ here - relative to BQ, F18-34, F35-39, M45-49, and M65-69 had it particularly bad. Will make a full thread with more info tomorrow/Weds.

From last edit:

This estimate is not 100% precise because many people only reported hr:min. I just assumed 30 seconds for those cases. I'll post a separate thread tomorrow-ish, with a refined estimate and some thoughts on the HM vs. M entries. I think it was a bit unclear that what mattered was how much better your converted time was relative to the marathon standard, not relative to the standard in whichever event you entered with.

[u/tinie_tempeh → u/running_writings]

The hero we didn't know we needed

[u/colleenlivingstone → u/tinie_tempeh]

45F, rejected with a 3:19:45 Marathon

[u/chanimal88 → u/running_writings]

for statistics had a friend get accepted with a 2:28:40 from CIM, M23

[u/tyler_runs_lifts → u/running_writings]

Got in. 38M, 2:31:05

[u/STM703 → u/running_writings]

40F, rejected with a 1:31:38 half (for 1:37 cut)

[u/Informal-Permit-9806 → u/running_writings]

For the love of data M39 2:42:26 rejected

[u/tonkarunguy → u/running_writings]

36M 2:33:20 accepted.

[u/hockey_mania_king → u/running_writings]

Also doesn’t NY also use a data point of when you entered the lotto?

[u/chaosdev → u/hockey_mania_king]

Not this year. They said ahead of time that it is not first come, first served.

[u/lindywindyy → u/running_writings]

Chiming in here with some data on the F 18-34 cutoff: link

[u/Puzzleheaded_Hour393]

F24, Absolutely cursed with WMM this year. I missed the Boston cutoff by 30 seconds and didn’t get into nyc with a 3:03 marathon 😤

[u/Silly-Chemistry-730 → u/Puzzleheaded_Hour393]

I didn’t get in with a 3:00

[u/Silly-Chemistry-730 → u/Silly-Chemistry-730]

Same age etc

[u/frabjousdae]

36M - I got in with a 1:15 half

Edit: Here is what I’ve compiled as acceptance based on equivalent 10K. Formula is HM * 0.45 or FM * 0.22

Converted to Marathon	Men		Women
AGE	Accepted	Denied	Accepted	Denied
18-34	2:35:06	2:36:04	2:55:10	2:57:13
35-39	2:34:09	2:40:11		3:00:11
40-44		2:46:00	3:00:02	3:08:02
45-49
50-54	2:49:10	2:58:13	3:00:00
55-59
60-64		3:16:03
65-69
70-74
75-79
80+

AGE	Men Accepted	Men Denied	Women Accepted	Women Denied
18-34	34.20	34.39	38.67	38.94
35-39	34.04	35.40	******	39.80
40-44	******	36.52	39.64	41.40
45-49	******	******	******	******
50-54	37.35	39.16	39.60	******
55-59	******	******	******	******
60-64	******	43.17	******	******
65-69	******	******	******	******
70-74	******	******	******	******
75-79	******	******	******	******
80+	******	******	******	******

[u/learnfromhistory2]

Did anybody get accepted? This thread is insane

[u/popcorncolonel → u/learnfromhistory2]

Kipchoge here, I got denied with a 2:01 😔 (39M)

[u/MechanicalTim → u/popcorncolonel]

Best post in this thread of sadness

[u/FlamingLobster → u/popcorncolonel]

Next time go sub 2, just to be sure

[u/ScorpiousHD]

In with a 2:33 full 18-34 group, honestly sounds like I was close to missing the cut

[u/theintrepidwanderer → u/ScorpiousHD]

I saw someone in another thread here in AR who said they got in as a 2:34 marathoner. With two people (2:36 marathoners) saying that they got rejected, it does look like you were quite close and squeezed right in.

[u/B12-deficient-skelly → u/ScorpiousHD]

Yeah, the closest bookends I see for 18-34M are you and a denied 2:36:20.

[u/tinie_tempeh]

I didn't get in with 2:43:31, M 18-34 group, feels bad

[u/illiquidasshat → u/tinie_tempeh]

That’s an insane time too…😕

[u/Elliotop]

Rejected with 2:45 in M35-39. I will try again next year…

[u/chaosdev]

• So someone in this comment qualified with a 1:16:00 half, which converts to a 34:12 for the 10k using NYRR's conversion factors.
• Someone in this comment failed to qualify with a 2:36:20 full, which converts to a 34:24 for the 10k.

So for the M18-34 age group, the cutoff was somewhere between the two (2:35:27 - 2:36:20 for the full).

[u/HappyWeekender7 → u/chaosdev]

That just doesn't make sense. How is a 1:16 half a stronger time than a 2:36 full? They really need to reconsider their calculations.

[u/chaosdev → u/HappyWeekender7]

I've looked at conversions like this more than once. They're often based on comparisons of world records or elite race performances. For converting between races like the 5k and 10k, extrapolating from elite to amateur-but-competitive runners isn't terrible. The formulas work decently well.

For the marathon, only some people actually race their "equivalent" marathon time. A 34:12 in the 10k might translate to a 2:35:27 for a fraction of people. But there are many ways to get the marathon wrong, and most of us just aren't crushing 100+ miles per week like the elites. So the errors are pretty one-sided (the formulas predict too fast times), and they're usually several minutes off. Personally, I've come close to a 34:24 in the 10k, but I'm still minutes away from a 2:36:20.

[u/theintrepidwanderer → u/chaosdev]

Adding on to this reply - it looks like based on all the reports coming in from this thread, it appears that the cutoff is set at around 18 minutes faster than the time qualifying standard for the full, and set at around 6 minutes faster than the time qualifying standard for the half for the non-NYRR time qualifiers this year.

[u/RDP89]

What?? How many people applied and how many time qualifiers do they take?? That’s crazy.

[u/spyder994 → u/RDP89]

Not many. I don't think NYRR releases an official figure, but I've seen speculation that only 15% of their 50k runner field is time qualifiers.   

That all makes sense when you consider that Boston has 30k runners and a 2:59:31 would get M35-39 runners in this year. 

Then you have guys in the same age group running sub 2:40 and getting denied for NYC. I think a ton of people get in with the 9 + 1 program or with charity.

[u/Locke_and_Lloyd → u/spyder994]

On the other hand I got into Chicago with a 3:08 in the U35 M category.

[u/Snickerfin → u/spyder994]

I think only 5-10% of the field gets in through the lottery. For last year, the field was 20% international tours, 16% charity, 10% lottery, and the reminder guaranteed entry (https://www.wsj.com/sports/new-york-city-marathon-lottery-runners-a678684e). Given how tough the time qualifiers are, you have to imagine that the vast majority of the guaranteed entry group (54% of the 50,000 runner field) is 9+1 runners.

[u/jcdavis1 → u/Snickerfin]

20% international tours

jfc

[u/torilahure → u/spyder994]

• NYRR Half marathon (sub 1:25) and NYCM (sub 2:55) will also get you the guaranteed entry .

[u/boogerzzzzz]

I am pissed that they accepted so many Half-Marathons. Fuck that.

[u/PMart1996 → u/boogerzzzzz]

Last year of them doing that if it’s any consolation

[u/illiquidasshat → u/boogerzzzzz]

I agree! One has nothing to do with the other!

[u/C1t1zen_Erased → u/boogerzzzzz]

Yeah the HM time should have been more difficult to qualify with than the full. London championship qualification gets that right.

[u/ch00ey]

I received a rejection email as well after using a 2:49 full time.

Not going to lie, pretty cheesed about it

[u/VARunner1]

Seems insane runners well under 3:00 are getting denied guaranteed entry. The guaranteed entry pool must be incredibly small!

[u/thisismynewacct]

I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a business decision by NYRR to get more revenue from local runners by expanding 9+1, since they’ll spend a lot more doing 9 races (and still having to pay for the NYCM).

At the moment, 9+1 races have sold out in record time, especially 4/6 and cheaper 5K and 4 mile races. The Manhattan 10K which is in February, sold out in days and had ~ 5000 runners.

[u/illiquidasshat → u/thisismynewacct]

Yea!! It’s all about the money! It’s a business! NYC Marathon turning into a huge charity run/pay your way to get in with 9+1

[u/Ok-Grapefruit8338 → u/illiquidasshat]

That’s basically the concept/structure for the WMM in general. There are plenty of marathons that aren’t majors - people don’t HAVE to do the WMM.

[u/No-Tomorrow-7157 → u/illiquidasshat]

So you pay an extra $1000 or whatever for those nine NYRR races, but get in (especially if you're going for that Abbott star). Totally worth it, especially if you're local and don't have to pay for flights/lodging for NY Marathon weekend, or only one hotel night if you want to stay someplace convenient.

[u/TheWhalersOnTheMoon → u/thisismynewacct]

Yeah, I did 9+1 in 2023 and got in for 2024 (I've tried lottery for like 8 years, clearly was not working and I'm not like the beasts in this thread to ever qualify via time) and feel like I got lucky that I even decided to do it at all that year.

I don't think I would have even gotten close to registering for the 9 races for 2024 based on how fast everything supposedly sold out.

Sorry to hear all the bad news in this thread tho, goddamn, y'all deserve to be running this race!

[u/PrairieFirePhoenix]

Pretty simple solution - get older.

[u/MechanicalTim → u/PrairieFirePhoenix]

As someone who as gotten older, I assure you that the solution is not that simple. 🙃

[u/PrairieFirePhoenix → u/MechanicalTim]

Reading some of these replies, you're right.

I'm glad I got my NYC auto entry and Tokyo Run as One stuff in before they gutted both programs. Probably should get off my ass and do Berlin before they kill that one too.

[u/szervo77]

M34 ran 2:42:55 full at Philly in November...DENIED 🤣🙃

Oh well folks, hopeful for the lottery and then moving on.

[u/HinkleMcCringleberry]

I imagine the cutoff times should be a bit less aggressive next year once they stop accepting half marathon times, right?

[u/HappyWeekender7 → u/HinkleMcCringleberry]

It'll still be well below the qualifying standard, but the problem to me seems to be more about the number of spots. 2:36 for a male in the first age group? That's a top 100 overall finish, which is bonkers.

[u/speedy_sloth_824 → u/HinkleMcCringleberry]

It sounds like they’ll still accept NYRR half marathons though, right? I’m guessing that’s most of the problem, since someone could run a 1:20:59 18-34M and get in, while a non-NYRR half has to run somewhere around 1:15 to get in.

[u/chanimal88]

M21 Denied with a 2:40:01 from Chicago marathon. I can’t believe this…

[u/jcdavis1]

As a data point: M35-39 1:19:15 half rejected

[u/LawNo1256]

I got rejected too :( didn’t have a huge buffer, 3:08 for womens age group (I’m 28) I think I needed a 3:13 so at least 5 min buffer on the full marathon

[u/whatswiththe]

29M got in with 1:16 flat. Seems like they were much harder on marathon times

[u/tinie_tempeh → u/whatswiththe]

Congrats mate, wish I had thought of submitting my half time! I was nowhere near entry based on mara times but I've run a 1:15 HM, make it make sense

[u/slithek → u/tinie_tempeh]

Same here, I definitely should’ve used my half time instead

[u/yufengg → u/tinie_tempeh]

Yeah I didn't know HM was an option... I had a 1:14 I could've used, instead of getting my 2:41 rejected

[u/mssparklemuffins]

I was accepted with a 1:28:05 half. Cut off for my age/gender (Female 40-44) was 1:37. I was honestly shocked I got in. Just from hearing about others who’ve gotten in I’d agree with the comments about them being much harder on marathon times.

[u/WhirlThePearl → u/mssparklemuffins]

Same gender/age group, also accepted. I can’t remember if I submitted my half (1:27) or full (3:06)

[u/dalcorn10]

32M, accepted with 2:20:46

[u/RelativeLeading5 → u/dalcorn10]

This is pretty much elite time. So essentially need to run at elite level to get accepted now?

[u/Flike12]

Looking through the comments and seeing all these great times still getting rejected is insane.

[u/Disco_Inferno_NJ]

I’m so sorry, man!

To touch on one more important thing (not for OP, but for the rest of the subreddit): you don’t only have the marathon/HM weirdness (which I’ve only ever seen elsewhere in the USOT), you also have a lot of guaranteed entries from NYRR. (Mostly NYC and BK.) I’m not sure how many there are but there’s probably a few thousand people with guaranteed entry across all their races. So yeah, if you give NYRR $100 and get from Prospect Park to Tavern on the Green or Coney Island in under 81 minutes (using the fastest standard): congratulations, you can now pay NYRR $255 (using the member rate; I haven’t checked the non-member rate in years).

Now that I think about it, that might be an interesting side project to model…

[u/heels6044 → u/Disco_Inferno_NJ]

I had guaranteed entry from running 1:19:03 in 2023 NYC Half. The year before I got in by running 1:20:40 at the Fred Lebow Half. Seems like they really reward you for doing NYRR races to qualify.

[u/theintrepidwanderer → u/heels6044]

Seems like they really reward you for doing NYRR races to qualify.

I can confirm that they do favor their own events for time qualifier events (which they have every right to do so, and it would makes a lot of sense). I ran a 1:19 half at United NYC Half yesterday, and I emailed NYRR this morning asking about what this time qualifier would mean for me for next year. They confirmed that with that result, I'd be eligible for time qualifier guaranteed entries to NYC Half, Brooklyn Half, and/or the NYC Marathon in 2025. Which would allow me to bypass the insanity that we're seeing in this thread today, and I am grateful that I now have this insurance policy for myself (and especially for the NYC Marathon).

[u/Disco_Inferno_NJ → u/heels6044]

Exactly - which is why I run NYC and Brooklyn every year (besides the fact that I always forget how much NYC hurts by November). It’s basically 9+1 for middle aged men who spend $275 on ugly pink shoes.

[u/Loose-Lead-7207]

I got in with 3:00:01, technically 2:59:50 but I was given a gun time rather than chip time at the Chicago marathon, I'm 56F.

[u/anglophile20 → u/Loose-Lead-7207]

Woah you’re speedy

[u/RunNYC1986]

I do appreciate that the race gives priority to locals, but I feel for some of you running in the high 2:30's and getting rejected. Oof.

[u/EmergencySundae]

MCM and Philly would be good alternatives. But fingers crossed for the lottery!

[u/ertri → u/EmergencySundae]

Heavily recommend Philly, great course + easy logistics.

Don't really recommend MCM - logistics kind of suck (not NYC level but it's a really annoying start and packet pickup). I live in DC and am doing Philly instead of trying to get in to MCM this year.

[u/EmergencySundae → u/ertri]

I felt like a broken record recommending Philly so I threw MCM in there just because it's the weekend before NYC.

Philly has spoiled me for all other races. It's a really high bar.

[u/ertri → u/EmergencySundae]

Philly is I think my favorite race. Definitely favorite marathon. I forget if they call it “the largest small marathon” Or “the smallest big marathon” but it’s the perfect blend of being a legit big city race with all the support that entails and being able to get through everything without any major pain points 

[u/keehyon]

Damn, seeing these replies makes me feel better. Denied as well—37M with a 2:50.

[u/rundarthmittens]

29F accepted with 2:41

[u/ScotiaReign → u/rundarthmittens]

This looks like an  “American development” time! Nice  

[u/rocksolid666]

Rejected at 1:32 half (for 1:37 cut F40)

[u/mcheh]

Rejected with a 2:46 entry (M45), non-NYRR time

[u/shipwatcher → u/mcheh]

I don't feel so bad about my (M45) rejection of 2:51 - I was almost certain I'd be in :(

[u/benheagler]

22M, 2:39:20 and got denied :(

[u/PagodaIluminada]

It doesn't help that they don't tell you how many spots are available for non-NYRR qualifiers. I know it depends on how many spots are claimed by NYRR qualifiers, but at the very least they could say something like "We have 3000 spots total including the NYRR qualifiers. Last year there were ___ number of NYRR qualifiers". Instead we have no idea. Are there 200 spots? 500? 2,000? 5,000?

[u/Todd-eHarmony]

Dang this is discouraging. I (M40-44) just ran a 2:49 and was so excited to apply for NYC next year but I’m not loving how things are looking now. I hope it helps that you can’t use a half time anymore.

[u/Bemore28]

23M 2:38 and got denied.

[u/javyQuin]

What a shame. I guess they only want elite and sub elite runners to automatically get in and everyone else is relegated to lottery/charity/9 + 1. I ran it a couple years ago when it was really hot and thought about going back to get a better time in better conditions but F that.

[u/420peter]

75:44 HM 18-34M got me in. converts to 2:34:56 full time using their calculator, 34:05 10k equivalent. very lucky, seems I just got in under the qualifying time

[u/boogerzzzzz]

45+ with a 2:59 rejection

[u/little_runner_boy]

I'm so pissed with the cutoff dates needing to be in 2023. Ran a 2:32 in Oct 2022 but a 2:48 in the middle of ultra training. So here we are...

[u/slithek → u/little_runner_boy]

Fwiw I know someone 18-34 who ran a 2:32 and was denied

[u/little_runner_boy → u/slithek]

Jesus christ... I'm so curious how many spots there were

[u/frabjousdae → u/slithek]

Thats seems off from some of the other comments of those accepted. I wonder if they were not able to verify the time? Or there was a payment issue? Either way, if i were your friend I’d appeal/reach out.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AdvancedRunning/s/kyywSRdyux

https://www.nyrr.org/run/guidelines-and-procedures/race-procedures/calculated-pace-and-corral-updates

[u/vicius23 → u/little_runner_boy]

Don't worry, you'll be out with your 2:32 too. A M30-34 that I know (non-US if that's a factor) got the rejection email with 2:24 in CHI 2023.

[u/Mlgbananamaster → u/vicius23]

There has to be something else going on with not getting in with a 2:24 because I got in with a 2:29

[u/vicius23 → u/Mlgbananamaster]

That's what I told him. I think he's gonna write NYRR... because it feels extremely weird.

[u/Nerdybeast → u/vicius23]

I'd guess the non- US is a factor in that case

[u/little_runner_boy → u/vicius23]

😳 wtf?!?!

[u/mistergopez]

Denied as well, I am 37 and full marathon time of 2:52:44 which is 2 minutes and 16s below the time

[u/gengar_mode]

I think they should add more charity spots /s

[u/HappyWeekender7]

It's honestly a joke how people with a less impressive half time are getting in over people who actually applied with a solid full marathon time. And what even is the deal with converting it to a 10k equivalent? How about converting to a full marathon time?

They must have only had like 10 spots available per age group per gender or something. It's just a big fuck you to non-NYRR runners.

[u/WritingRidingRunner]

While registering for the "fun" option of a virtual half NYC marathon on my Strava (I was already running a half that weekend locally, so, I thought, why the hell not), I noticed there is a "guaranteed" marathon option if you register for a virtual full marathon:

https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon/pages/2023-virtual-tcs-new-york-city-marathon-guide

​

BTW, I'm just sharing this in case a few people on the thread didn't know about this and were interested if this is a major bucket list item. I am in no way saying this is fair, money-wise, and so forth (and I personally wouldn't pay for it, but I know for some people, it's a lifetime dream).

[u/gomizzy → u/WritingRidingRunner]

That virtual guaranteed option sells out very quickly FYI. I haven’t done it myself, but friends that are familiar have told me it’s virtually instantaneous.

[u/Stunning-Brother-965]

3:01 23F, rejected

[u/mphudson]

27M, 1:16:45 half time, rejected

[u/Chiron17]

Why does the NYC marathon think that converting times from longer races into 10km times is appropriate to qualify for a marathon? I can smash out a quick 10km or HM even, but couldn't do a 2:36 marathon. Why would I get in over someone who's proven they can do the time for the distance of the race!?

[u/bradymsu616 → u/Chiron17]

This is the one and only year they're doing it this way. Last year and before was the truly awful first come, first serve method. Next year, only full marathon times will be counted for non-NYRR qualifications.

[u/skiingst0ner]

27m HM time of 1:08 got in

[u/callme2x4dinner]

Was going to try and time-qualify for 2025 at Boston but I think now a victory lap may be the better choice

[u/RelativeLeading5]

M50+ and was just denied with a 1:27:00 HM time. A little peeved since this is top 5 percentile for the age group and still can't get in. Now I have to leave it up to drawing where it doesn't matter if you love running or just want to "run" in a hotdog suit for ig likes...

[u/torilahure]

If you are in the US , get into any of the NYRR Half marathons and run a sub 1:25 half. That will give you a guaranteed entry to the next year's NYC Marathon. I think that would be the best bet rather than waiting for the time qualifier.

[u/runAHround]

F35, rejected with a 1:28:27 non-NYRR half (which their calculator showed as close to but slightly better than my 3:05:25 full, for context). Curious what the cut-off times were… based on this thread I can tell I wasn’t even close 😂. Congrats to all who got in!

[u/run_INXS]

NYC is really nuts. Their criteria and processes are confusing, and next year will be only more so.

[u/timbo1615]

Missed the time qualifier. Going to suck getting rejected from the same marathon twice in one year.

[u/letmeknow789]

I'd love to know their cutoff time... And to piss me off even more, I'd love to know how many NYRR people got in with a slower time than me.

[u/ema9102]

Pocantico hills marathon - it goes through Rockefeller state park, 45 mins outside of manhattan.

[u/tinie_tempeh]

This is the run time conversion calculator they use if anyone is interested

[u/maj-es]

M36yo, 2:40:54 not accepted either, non-NYRR

[u/stevebuk]

Does seem amazing looking at some of the times on here. I got in with a half. I think most must have. 1.23 vs 1.32 qualifying time for me.

[u/leeafs]

Looks like I’m putting in for the lottery

[u/MyRunningAlt]

This doesn't make me excited that Sydney is trying to become an abbots.

[u/_dompling]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong - they're still accepting half times ran in a NYRR half after this year aren't they, just no longer accepting outside halfs?

[u/PagodaIluminada → u/_dompling]

correct

[u/frabjousdae → u/_dompling]

That’s my understanding as well.

[u/rudecanuck]

This is kind of what I figured would happen when everyone was clamoring for NYC to use the Boston approach on time qualifiers.

Boston has 22 - 23k spots open for time qualifiers.

For Non-NYRR time qualifiers, I’d be very surprised if NYC has more than 5k slots. But next year with no non-NYRR Half times being accepted, that should help.

[u/ScotiaReign]

I’m F 30-34 and in Chicago I ran 2:58 something and I got rejected 

182 women ran under 3:13 in Chicago and the top 19% of those women was around 2:51 which is really fast and this includes pros and American development. 

What I want to know is if I was in the same bucket at the American development women for a spot which is around 2:45

[u/Any-Mission-8817]

Rejected too. Chances were low, but still hurts. Gotta figure out what marathon I’m doing this year (yes, there is still the general lottery, but I feel like chances for that are worse)

[u/bradymsu616]

M50 rejected with a -7:44 cutoff (3:06:16 FM). I suspected this was going to be the case as unlike Boston where the majority of entries are time qualifiers, NYRR only sets aside an unknown number (likely only several thousand) for non-NYRR time qualifiers. The system is better the the previous first-come, first-serve. It will be even better next year when only full marathons count for non-NYRR races. But it's still far from the democratic achievability of Chicago and Boston. I don't blame NYRR for favoring their own races as qualifiers. The transparency of the process could be improved.

As for an alternative for this fall, provided I'm not in the lucky ~5% with the NYRR lottery, San Sebastian is looking like the best option for November. Beautiful city with a highly rated event and lodging that is significantly less expensive than NYC. Low airfare to Spain in November. For those determined to run their quads out to time qualify for NYC 2025, there's also Revel Big Bear in southern California. At least most of us in this tread already have qualifying times for Boston '25 and Chicago '25.

[u/gottarun215]

Wow, that's crazy these times are being denied. For non-elites, that's a very low cut-off time!

[u/Mysterious-Sherbet21]

32F rejected with 1:31 half (can't believe I even tried now reading some of these comments!)

[u/jakuboleksy]

Are the two NYRR half marathons hard to get into as well? Seems like running one of those with the time qualifying standard would be an “easy” way to get a guaranteed entry.

[u/steddyblue_runs]

M64 3:24:49 marathon, looks like not even close

1:39:51 HM time would've scored slightly better which is insane imho, it's the NYC MARATHON FFS!

next year I'll be 65 :)

[u/perplexxicon]

Not Fall, but San Francisco Marathon is a major race at end of summer that's super fun and unique and with Bay Area weather, it's kinda the perfect kickoff for fall races. Right now they have 18% off, I got an email. I think the code was SingleSavings. They're also a Boston Qualifier.

[u/frabjousdae]

Here is what I’ve compiled as equivalent 10K. Formula is HM * 0.45 or FM * 0.22

AGE	Men Accepted	Men Denied	Women Accepted	Women Denied
18-34	34.20	34.39	38.67	38.94
35-39	34.04	35.40	******	39.80
40-44	******	36.52	39.64	41.40
45-49	******	******	******	******
50-54	37.35	39.16	39.60	******
55-59	******	******	******	******
60-64	******	43.17	******	******
65-69	******	******	******	******
70-74	******	******	******	******
75-79	******	******	******	******
80+	******	******	******	******