What To Do If You Don’t Get Into The NYC Marathon

The New York Road Runners are covering it live Wednesday.

The results of the ING New York City Marathon lottery will be announced today. At noon, the celebration begins with a live broadcast on NYRR TV. Ethan Zohn of Survivor, actor Edward Norton, and Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno will be the special guests.

Eager marathoners can check the results later today on the New York Road Runner’s Web site. The chances of getting in are pretty difficult–about 1 in 6 make the cut.

But what if you really want to run New York, but don’t get in?

There are  other options available to you. If you have an official qualifying time  in a half marathon or marathon (posted on the ING New York City Marathon’s Web site), you were guaranteed an entry as long as you entered by April 19. That deadline was extended to April 30 if you hit a qualifying time at the NYC Half Marathon on March 20 or the Boston Marathon on April 18. However, take note that the qualifying times for the NYC Marathon are more stringent than the Boston Marathon. For example, a 40-year-old man would need to run a 3:10 marathon.

Finally, if you missed the April 19 deadline you can get in by running for one of the marathon’s 200 official charitable partners. For most of them, you will need to raise $2,500.

For More: Examiner.com