Over 16,000 Runners Just Found Out They’re Running NYC

On Thursday, the TCS New York Marathon notified 16,211 athletes of their acceptance into the 2017 event through the marathon’s non-guaranteed entry drawing. There were a total of 98,247 applications.

Runners who were accepted today join those who previously received guaranteed entry into the 2017 race, either by meeting the qualifying time, having run the race 15 times in the past (or more) or by deferring entry into last year’s race, among other methods. Over 50,000 runners are expected to finish the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon.

“Today is the beginning of a thrilling race journey to the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon for tens of thousands of runners from across New York City’s five boroughs, throughout the country, and around the world,” said Christine Burke, director of runner products and services at New York Road Runners in a news release. “We are honored to welcome these runners into the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon field, and look forward to supporting them as they embark on an experience of a lifetime en route to November 5.”

If you weren’t one of the lucky ones, don’t fret—today also marks the opening of the official charity running program for the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon. Runners can register to participate on behalf of—and raise funds for—one of over 350 official charity partners of the race, including their largest charity partner, NYRR Team for Kids.

In 2016, 9,000 charity runners raised $36.1 million during the marathon, some as part of official charity teams and others who chose to fundraise on their own through Crowdrise. Since the inception of the official charity partner program in 2006, $235 million has been raised.

This year marks the 47th year of the TCS New York City Marathon, taking place throughout the five boroughs on November 5. For more information, visit www.tcsnycmarathon.org.