They’re hot under the heels.
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.
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.
However, NYRR has decided to change the rules about who can complete the program — and people are up in arms about it.
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.
If their name is drawn from the lottery, the runner must then pay $99 to become a 9+1 Passholder.
Only 15,000 of these passes will be issued, and NYRR will, according to a statement, “ensure 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.”
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.
“It 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’re seeing for those race spots,” NYRR’s CEO Rob Simmelkjaer told Runner’s World.
Simmelkjaer claims the organization wanted to get to a place of “equal footing” for its members.
“We haven’t liked the fact that so many regular members just had such a difficult time getting into races,” he said.
NYRR did not disclose how many applicants they expect for 9+1 spots.
The current 9+1 program is still in effect for the 2027 NYC Marathon.
And people online have unleashed their fury at NYRR.
Many on Reddit criticized the $99 pass fee, illustrating that between membership fees and race registration, running now amounts to a cash grab.
“So 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,” lamented one commenter.
“Thank god i secured my 2027 NY marathon spot; won’t be doing this s–t ever again,” said a second.
“Instead 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 – and then charging selected runners an additional $99 just for the opportunity to complete it,” griped a third.
In an Instagram post, NYRR announced the change and defended it, writing, “To 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.”
Comments were similarly irate.
“‘Improving access’ is a funny way to say ‘adding another paywall and guaranteeing nothing’…,” said one commenter.
“Every time I think about reactivating my NYRRC number, I’m reminded what a money grab this org has become… A great NYC running tradition ruined,” someone wrote.
“Keeping the profit in non- profit,” mic dropped another.
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.
Hopeful runners must apply during the application window of September 17–29, 2026, and be 18 years old as of November 5, 2028.
More information about NYRR’s changes to its 9+1 program is available here.
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