More than 240,000 people applied for a chance to run this year’s marathon. Only about 1% got in through the drawing. For everyone else, the road to the starting line can come with a substantial price tag.

You don’t need much money to go for a run. A decent pair of sneakers, some comfortable clothes and a little motivation will usually do it. But running through New York City’s five boroughs with thousands of other people? That can become a surprisingly expensive ambition.

More than 240,000 people applied for the 2026 New York City Marathon drawing, according to New York Road Runners. Only about 1% were accepted. That’s roughly one successful applicant for every 100 people hoping to secure a spot through the lottery.

And getting selected doesn’t mean running is free. The 2026 registration fee is $255 for NYRR members and $315 for nonmembers, before processing fees. Runners traveling to New York must also account for transportation, accommodations, meals and the equipment they’ve purchased during months of training.

For those who don’t get selected, there are other ways in. But some require a different kind of endurance.

The Other Marathon: Raising the Money

New York’s charity entry program allows runners to secure guaranteed spots by committing to raise money for participating nonprofits. It’s an effective fundraising model that generates millions for important causes, but the financial commitments can be considerable.

Official charity partners generally require fundraising minimums of at least $3,000 or $3,500, depending on the organization’s participation level. Individual charities can set higher requirements.

Consider the range:

• Central Park Conservancy: $4,000 fundraising minimum.
• Ronald McDonald House New York: $4,500.
• Tom Coughlin Jay Fund: $7,500.

These amounts aren’t necessarily paid from a runner’s own pocket. Participants typically solicit donations from friends, relatives, colleagues and supporters. But that creates another form of inequality. Someone with a well-connected professional network may find it easier to raise $5,000 than someone whose friends and family are already struggling financially.

And some charity agreements hold runners responsible for fundraising shortfalls, potentially leaving them with significant personal obligations.

None of this diminishes the importance of the charitable work. New York Road Runners wants the 2026 marathon to generate more than $100 million for nonprofit organizations, an extraordinary fundraising opportunity tied to a single sporting event.

But there’s an uncomfortable question beneath the celebration: Does access to one of the world’s most recognizable races increasingly depend on access to money?

The marathon offers other entry routes, including qualifying times, participation in designated NYRR races and volunteer programs. Those options can reward athletic performance and sustained commitment, although they also require time, planning and, in some cases, additional expenses.

This Sunday, November 1, runners from around the world will cross the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, travel through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, and eventually reach Central Park. They’ll share the same 26.2-mile course regardless of income, profession or background.

But their journeys to that starting line won’t have been equal.

For all the marathon’s celebration of perseverance, its entry system reveals something familiar about modern life: determination may be necessary, but access often depends on resources.