How to Get Into the 2026 NYC Marathon Through a Charity Entry

So you want to run the New York City Marathon. You are not alone. Over 165,000 people applied for the 2025 race, and only about 50,000 got to run. The lottery acceptance rate hovers around 18%.

But here is something most people do not know: you can skip the lottery entirely by running for a charity.

The TCS New York City Marathon partners with over 670 charities that receive guaranteed entry spots. When you commit to fundraising for one of these organizations, you get a guaranteed bib, no lottery required.

Here is everything you need to know about getting into the 2026 NYC Marathon through a charity entry.

How Charity Entries Work

The NYC Marathon allocates thousands of entries to its official charity partners each year. These charities distribute the bibs to runners who commit to raising a minimum amount for the cause.

Here is the typical process:

1. Choose a charity that aligns with something you care about
2. Apply directly through the charity (not through NYRR)
3. Commit to a fundraising minimum (typically $2,500 to $6,000 depending on the organization)
4. Receive your guaranteed entry once accepted
5. Fundraise leading up to race day using the charity’s tools and support
6. Run on November 1, 2026, knowing every mile has meaning

What to Look for in a Charity Running Program

Not all charity running experiences are created equal. Some hand you a bib and wish you luck. Others wrap an entire community around you. Here is what separates the great programs from the average ones:

Fundraising Support

The best programs do not just set a fundraising goal and leave you to figure it out. They provide email templates, social media strategies, coaching calls, and proven tactics that make reaching your goal feel achievable, not overwhelming.

Community and Team Experience

Running 26.2 miles is hard. Running alongside people who share your purpose makes it transformative. Look for programs that build real community, not just a mailing list. Team dinners, group runs, and race-day meetups turn solo runners into teammates.

A Cause You Actually Care About

You are going to ask friends, family, and colleagues to donate. That is a lot easier when you genuinely believe in the mission. Pick a cause that connects to something personal, something you can talk about with real emotion.

Race-Day Experience

The best charity programs include team jerseys (so spectators can cheer your cause), pre-race gatherings, course support, and post-race celebrations. These details turn a good race into an unforgettable one.

Why Runners Choose Team Friendship

Team Friendship is the running and adventure program of Friendship Circle, an organization that connects teen volunteers with individuals who have special needs. For over a decade, Team Friendship runners have completed marathons, climbed mountains, and cycled across the country, all to fund programs that build real friendships for people who need them most.

Here is what the NYC Marathon program includes:

• Guaranteed NYC Marathon entry (no lottery needed)
• $6,000 fundraising commitment with hands-on coaching to help you get there
• Only 15 spots, which means a tight-knit team, not an anonymous mass
• Race-day Team Friendship jersey
• Pre-race Shabbat dinner and team celebration the night before
• Premium team swag package

The fundraising minimum is $6,000, which is on the higher end of charity running programs. But here is what makes it different: you are not just checking a fundraising box. You are funding weekly friendship visits, virtual programs, and camps that directly serve children and adults with special needs. Runners who connect with that mission consistently tell us the fundraising became the most meaningful part of the experience.

2026 NYC Marathon Key Dates

• Race Date: November 1, 2026
• Lottery: February 4-25, 2026 (results in March)
• Charity entries: Available now through official charity partners like Team Friendship
• NYRR Charity Partner Announcement: March 4, 2026 (Drawing Day)

Other Ways to Get Into the NYC Marathon

Charity entry is not the only path, but it is the most reliable one. Here are the other options:

• Lottery – About 18% acceptance rate. Apply February 4-25, 2026.
• Time Qualifier – Run a qualifying time at an eligible race (varies by age and gender).
• 9+1 Program – Complete 9 qualifying NYRR races + 1 volunteer shift in 2025 for guaranteed 2026 entry.
• International Travel Partner – Book through an official tour operator (expensive).

For most runners, especially first-time marathoners, a charity entry is the surest path. You get the guaranteed spot, the support system, and the purpose that makes 26.2 miles worth every step.