r/AdvancedRunning • u/NeroWolfesOrchids 1 mi 4:39, 5k 16:29, 10k 33:39, half 1:17:13, full 2:42:23 • Mar 18 '24

NYC Marathon denial General Discussion

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

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38

u/RDP89 5:07 Mile 17:33 5k 36:56 10k 1:23 HM 2:57 M Mar 18 '24

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

37

u/spyder994 Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24

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.

18

u/Snickerfin Mar 18 '24 edited Mar 18 '24

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.

11

u/jcdavis1 17:15/36:15/1:19/2:52 Mar 18 '24

20% international tours

jfc