They\u2019re hot under the heels.<\/p>\n
New York City runners are hot under the heels and hateful in the comments after New York Road Runners (NYRR) announced changes to its popular 9+1 program. <\/p>\n
Previously, under the 9+1 program, if a NYRR member completed nine races and volunteered at an additional race, they would be guaranteed entry into the New York City Marathon the following year.<\/p>\n
However, NYRR has decided to change the rules about who can complete the program \u2014 and people are up in arms about it.<\/p>\n
Beginning with the 2027 program, which corresponds to entry in the 2028 NYC Marathon, runners must win a 9+1 Eligibility Drawing, which is free to enter. <\/p>\n
NYRR sparked \u201croad rage\u201d among runners by overhauling its popular 9+1 program for NYC Marathon entry. James Keivom<\/p>\n
If their name is drawn from the lottery, the runner must then pay $99 to become a 9+1 Passholder. <\/p>\n
Only 15,000 of these passes will be issued, and NYRR will, according to a statement, \u201censure Passholders have a clear path to registering for the races and volunteer service needed to complete the program through the new Passholder Race Selection Process.\u201d<\/p>\n
NYRR said the new model is designed to combat the surge in registration that shuts out runners who are not interested in the marathon but would like to participate in local races. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is setting a cap on how many people can attempt 9+1 in the calendar year of 2027, and by doing so, allows us to control how many people are doing this, and we know that will cause a significant reduction in the demand that we\u2019re seeing for those race spots,\u201d NYRR\u2019s CEO Rob Simmelkjaer told Runner\u2019s World<\/a>. <\/p>\n Simmelkjaer claims the organization wanted to get to a place of \u201cequal footing\u201d for its members. <\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t liked the fact that so many regular members just had such a difficult time getting into races,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n NYRR did not disclose how many applicants they expect for 9+1 spots. <\/p>\n The current 9+1 program is still in effect for the 2027 NYC Marathon.<\/p>\n In an Instagram post, NYRR announced and defended the changes to the 9+1 Program. <\/p>\n And people online have unleashed their fury at NYRR.<\/p>\n Many on Reddit<\/a> criticized the $99 pass fee, illustrating that between membership fees and race registration, running now amounts to a cash grab.<\/p>\n \u201cSo let me get this straight: you need to pay for the membership, pay for the 9+1 pass (if you win the raffle) and then pay for marathon entry. Why the paywall for 9+1 pass? I know demand is so high that people will pay anyway, but damn,\u201d lamented one commenter. <\/p>\n \u201cThank god i secured my 2027 NY marathon spot; won\u2019t be doing this s\u2013t ever again,\u201d said a second. <\/p>\n \u201cInstead of rewarding local runners who commit to participating in NYRR races and volunteering throughout the year, NYRR is now putting access to the program itself behind a lottery \u2013 and then charging selected runners an additional $99 just for the opportunity to complete it,\u201d griped a third. <\/p>\n To be eligible for the new 9+1 lottery, runners must be an NYRR member as of September 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET and maintain that membership on the drawing day of October 1, 2026. Michael Nigro<\/p>\n In an Instagram post<\/a>, NYRR announced the change and defended it, writing, \u201cTo improve access to races throughout the year and streamline member benefits, New York Road Runners is making updates to NYRR membership and the 9+1 program.\u201d<\/p>\n Comments were similarly irate. <\/p>\n \u201c\u2018Improving access\u2019 is a funny way to say \u2018adding another paywall and guaranteeing nothing\u2019\u2026,\u201d said one commenter.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time I think about reactivating my NYRRC number, I\u2019m reminded what a money grab this org has become\u2026 A great NYC running tradition ruined,\u201d someone wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cKeeping the profit in non- profit,\u201d mic dropped another.<\/p>\n To be eligible for the new 9+1 lottery, runners must be an NYRR member as of September 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET and maintain that membership on the drawing day of October 1, 2026.<\/p>\n Hopeful runners must apply during the application window of September 17\u201329, 2026, and be 18 years old as of November 5, 2028. <\/p>\n More information about NYRR\u2019s changes to its 9+1 program is available\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t