A record number of applicants have applied for the 2025 NYC Marathon, with only 2-3% of them being selected to participate. The New York Road Runners recently revealed that over 200,000 individuals submitted applications for the upcoming race, marking the highest number of applicants in the event’s history.

The selection process for the marathon is highly competitive, with a mere 2 to 3 percent of applicants securing a spot. To put this into perspective, these acceptance rates are on par with or even more stringent than those of prestigious universities such as Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. The 2025 NYC Marathon, scheduled for November 2, will feature a diverse field comprising professional athletes, time qualifiers, participants from the 9 + 1 program, charity runners, and more.

The surge in applications for the 2025 race represents a 22 percent increase from the previous year, underlining the growing popularity of marathons globally. In 2024, over 55,000 runners completed the NYC Marathon, which boasted an impressive 99.3 percent finishing rate and surpassed the Berlin Marathon as the largest marathon ever. Notably, other major marathons like the Chicago Marathon and the London Marathon have also experienced a surge in demand, with the latter attracting a staggering 840,318 applicants for the 2025 edition.

For hopeful participants awaiting their fate, acceptance notifications will be sent through their NYRR account dashboard or via email by the end of March 5. Those who are not selected in the initial drawing will have another chance through a second-chance drawing, particularly beneficial for NYRR members. Additionally, individuals can secure a race bib by fundraising through the NYRR’s Official Charity Partner Program.

The CEO of NYRR, Rob Simmelkjaer, highlighted the inclusive nature of the TCS New York City Marathon, emphasizing its ability to bring together a diverse range of individuals from various backgrounds and nationalities, united by their shared passion for running. As the anticipation builds for the 2025 NYC Marathon, the competitive selection process adds an extra layer of excitement and prestige to this iconic event.