ballot / charity / qualifying time / tour operator

World Marathon Major. World's largest marathon — record 54,000+ finishers. 50th running through the five boroughs in 2026. Lottery entry with ~3% acceptance rate (200,000+ applicants). Entry $270 (NYRR members) / $333 (non-members). Also: NYRR 9+1 program (9 races + 1 volunteer = guaranteed entry), time qualifiers, charity ($2,500+ fundraising), tour operators. Iconic course from Staten Island across Verrazzano Bridge through Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, finishing in Central Park. 6h time limit.