NYCRUNS members can qualify for the NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Race Entry Program and earn future complimentary entry into all NYCRUNS events (with the exception of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon) for a one-year period from the date of the race where qualification is achieved. A limited number of complimentary entries will be available for each race that qualified runners can secure on a first-come basis.
Qualifications for the NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Race Entry Program are as follows:
- You must be a NYCRUNS member in good standing prior to, and on, race day
- Men – Half Marathon under 1:20:00; 5K under 16:30 (gun time)
- Women – Half Marathon under 1:30:00; 5K under 19:00 (gun time)
- Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming – Half Marathon under 1:30:00; 5K under 19:00 (gun time)
- You must have competed only in your registered gender, and your gender must not have been changed on your NYCRUNS profile, within six (6) months of the event
- You must have a history of competing in NYCRUNS events, which includes being officially scored in at least three (3) NYCRUNS events in your registered gender
- You must be able to provide a copy of an official government issued ID (i.e., driver’s license, passport) that confirms your registered gender (if you are unable to obtain an official government ID that either identifies your registered gender or allows you to not identify a gender, NYCRUNS will take that under consideration when determining eligibility)
- You can request review of any of the eligibility guidelines as they relate to your specific situation (except for time standards) by filling out this form
- NYCRUNS retains the right to review and determine all decisions on Local Elite Athlete Entry Program eligibility
2026 Qualifying Races:
- Frozen Pigeon 5K – January 17
- Central Park Half Marathon – February 22
- Frozen Bonsai 5K – March 7
- Prospect Park 5K – April 12
- Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon – April 26
- Lousy T-Shirt Race (5K) – June 16
- Father’s Day 5K – June 21
- Brooklyn Ice Cream Social 5K – July 25
- Brooklyn Ice Cream Social Half Marathon – August 22
- Falling Leaves Half Marathon – October 17
- Great Gobble 5K – November 21
- Ugly Sweater 5K– December 5
- Big Apple Half Marathon – December 13