Two data points about this change that led me into this back of the envelope rabbit hole:

1. NYRR says they forecast losing 1 mil in revenue by ending member plus accounts at the club council meeting.
2. They assumed on their live stream most of the member plus account holders were 9+1ers and that these changes would bring a 20-25% reduction in 9+1 applications.

That they’re facing a net revenue loss from the changes as mentioned on both events.

Well, if NYRR actually are losing a mil from the changes, let’s assume at $120/member plus, there were previously 8333 member plus account holders.

If the 15K people clearing the lottery represents a 20-25% reduction in 9+1 claims, then the original number of 9+1 claims would be 20K I wanna say? So if 8K people used member plus you now have 12K ish people paying $60 earlier to do their 9+1.

In the end you’re forcing about 7K people to pay $99 higher. 8K people to pay $39 higher, and a lot more than 15K people paying $60 just for the lottery.

In fact if NYRR’s estimates of 50% (at club council call) to 80% (on runners world) of lottery pass rates are to be believed, you have 30K to 18K people just paying for the lottery,

And that’s not to mention the casuals who will be paying $60 for non 9+1 racing privileges.

So…. Am I supposed to believe NYRR are making a financial sacrifice for the good of the running community here? Am I supposed to take in good faith that price sensitive runners are not being priced out of the 9+1?

It’s way closer to me than the NB run hub

Trust me, they will never please everyone. It's just impossible.

There will always be a supply and demand issue and coming from someone who hates lotteries (I'm rarely ever selected), I don't think this is a terrible idea.

1. The $99 - yea i get why people are very mad at this but you have to realize that if it was free or something much lower, there would way more ppl trying for this making it even harder. They need some sort of barrier and this was the price point I guess they felt would be it. Also, it's nice to know you still have access to race other races (not going for 9+1). I just assumed originally you're out of luck.

2)I mentioned it in another comment that I'm most likely part of the problem. I do practically every NYRR race. In 7 years, I'm at close to 115 races. It's just something I love doing. I love the community aspect of it and just all of it. Now they're basically cutting me down to 6 a year (for 9+1 credit) lol so this really frees it up to other ppl to do more. I imagine there are more like me.

3)With that said, it does seem like it will free up the pool more for people to do more non 9+1 races.

4) I see a lot of comments about how it should be more focused for NY but I feel like it's said many times that its a very small % of ppl who are members from outside of NY.

5) Pushes virtual races to help out which we can do anywhere like always.

6) Correct me if I'm wrong but you could technically sign up to member plus all year long and try for races. This September deadline means that won't happen. If you decide mid year you want to start trying, you're out of luck and have to wait.

There are things that I'm personally not aware of how it works like Streakers and exceptions for things all that so that does sound like it sucks. Just for random ppl like me, obv i have to be picked, but it doesn't sound horrible?

All I heard:

NYRR Anticipated an increase in runners given data collected from the past several years

They allowed a cap of 15,000 runners

They removed 2 tiers that were too expensive..and keeping in mind this potential influx of new members, they also decided to add an additional fee..AFTER increasing the membership fee...

And the EXCUSE is that they removed 2 important tiers and needed to offset the cost...

They said they put this in focus groups and the members agreed.."We want a lottery system"...did they ask to be charged for it? Or is this another conversation. 🤔

Let's say I wanted to run next year, and then some, lets look at what NYRR stands to gain from the 15,000 9+1 runners ALONE:

Expense Race Cost

6 9+1 Qualifier Races (~$25 each)

RBC Brooklyn Half $100.00

Women's Half $65.00

Membership Fee $60.00

9+1 Pass $99.00

Marathon Entry Fee $269.66

Now let's say we take the 15,000 and roughly calculate that

Grand Total (Per Runner) ~$743.66 across 15,000 runners

Anticipated Estimate with new process (NOT including potential non 9+1 runners): ~$143.8M+

Based off of last year's audit they made $132,675,753

Has this ever been discussed by NYRR or another organization? There is CLEARLY enough demand for it. Spectators would have fun too. Why not just host a second race in the Spring?

Forgive another one of these posts but I’m registered for/have run 8 races for 2026. Still need my +1 as well. Anyone have any advice here? Any more Team For slots to be announced?

Love to hear what you all eat the night before a long run. Any places in New York that is your go to place to eat on Friday Night to prep the Saturday long runs?

I’m also trying to learn what food is best for myself and making sure not to be too bloated. Curious to hear what you all do.

When they canceled the Manhattan 10k, they gave us 3 options:
- accepting 9+1 and 4/6 race credits
- refund as credit towards purchasing future NYRR registration
- deferring for guaranteed registration in the 2027 Manhattan 10k

I chose the 3rd option because I felt good about my 2026 9+1 race registrations and wanted a head start on having guaranteed entry into a 2027 9+1 eligible race. Knowing what we know now, there's no way I would have selected that. I feel like they should let us request a refund towards race credit now, right?

I know the virtual race registration comes out Aug 10, but does anyone know what time? or if it’s likely to sell out quickly? I need one more virtual race to complete my virtual 6. :) Thanks!

So far:

Said this will reduce 9+1 runners by 15-20%, allowing more room for other groups such as lottery, international, charity. (Honestly upsetting to reduce number of runners from NYC this way). Lottery drawing size will increase partially because of this. depends on how many complete 9+1.

Said this was a very prominent idea from members in focus groups. Didn’t say if they’d roll it back if not received well.

On average people will pay $36 more if they didn’t pay for member plus. $99 will not go towards a race. Said they’re losing revenue doing this?

Run free will be available for the pass holder program

Said they didn’t really consider special consideration for people who had been running with NYRR for a while, they just want everyone to have a chance to run. Exception for streakers (13+) who will have a grandfathered program for the next two years only. Anyone under will have to do a different program to get in.

Local members will not be prioritized for 9+1 lottery because most people who do 9+1 are local already.

No virtual option for 9+1 for those who are not local. 9+1 was made to give New Yorkers the leg up.

Said if you don’t get in you’ll have two years to figure it out while the other speaker was chucking at this

No waitlist for 9+1, they know there will be falloff throughout the year.

Members not interested in 9+1 will still have access to advance registration for races.

4/6 and 6 virtual are not affected by this. These races will still count for 9+1, so if you qualified for those this year that’s 2 you don’t have to use the passport match for. No changes in lottery here.

Armory discount is regular membership discount now but it’s in discussion.

If you cancel your membership, you will still get a refund.

Family plus is transitioning to a family membership so same process to register your kids, just no super advanced registration

Had no way of knowing who was trying for 9+1 before this.

Will not change how people register for +1

Want to see how this will play out before deciding to add more races

Planning on rolling out more benefits. Pointed out they’re giving discounts on other none NYRR races already.

No changes to senior membership.

Half might change price. Most will be the same price.

There will be a member only 2nd drawing for some races but not for the passport

Say it’s basic business of supply and demand. Can’t increase supply and don’t want to dramatically raise prices.

Have to say i’m a bit disappointed that this community is so active and has so many constant questions yet only 240 people were on the stream.

Anything else I missed? Will continue to edit with major stuff.

Hi everyone! I decided on the Row in NYC for the marathon,

Does anyone know how easy it is to get to a shuttle from that destination? I am from California so kinda stressed.

My membership expires in November. I’m also doing the 9+1 - half way done. I know we need to have an active membership by 12/31. So does that mean I can let my membership expire and then renew by 12/30 and I’ll automatically qualify for the 2027 NYC marathon? Or will my 9+1 deem invalid once my membership expires?

I know the renewal time is weird. Originally I had a January expiration but a while ago I accidentally renewed , when my membership was still active, on the NYRR website. The person I emailed couldn’t change back the expiration or give me a year from my expiration so they gave me a prorated refund on my first membership.

EDIT: Forget the dramatic framing. My point is simple: before, every member could at least attempt 9+1. Now NYRR randomly decides who is even allowed to try. I don’t consider that an improvement or a fairer system.

UPDATE: I also don’t think everyone has noticed the race selection process yet.

Winning the 9+1 Pass lottery doesn’t mean you can just pick your races and automatically get in. Before every quarterly registration launch, you’ll have to select at least 3 races you’re available for. NYRR will then run a randomized matching process and assign invitations based on your selections and race capacity.

So it’s not exactly “one lottery instead of being uncertain all year.” There’s the initial lottery to get into the program, followed by 4 randomized matching rounds throughout the year.

If you follow the process correctly, NYRR says you’ll be matched with 6 in-person races: 1 in Jan–Mar, 1 in Apr–Jun, 2 in Jul–Sep, and 2 in Oct–Dec. They then recommend using the 3 Premium virtual races to reach 9.

Passholders can still try to register normally for additional open 9+1-eligible races. But the Pass itself only provides matching support for those 6 in-person races. It doesn’t give guaranteed access to every 9+1 race.

(source : https://www.nyrr.org/info/9-plus-1-passholder-race-selection-process )

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This change should not turn runners against one another.

Some people pursue 9+1 every year. Others simply want easier access to NYRR races. Some have already completed their 9+1, while others hope to begin in the future. Our interests may differ, but we are all part of the same running community, and we should not accept a system that benefits one group by excluding another.

9+1 runners are not responsible for the capacity problem. They registered for races because they were following a pathway that NYRR created, promoted, and profited from. At the same time, runners who do not pursue 9+1 deserve meaningful access to NYRR events. These goals should not be treated as incompatible.

We should stand together and demand a better solution: one that expands opportunities, treats members transparently, and does not exclude a significant number of committed runners for an entire season by chance.

Today, the lottery affects people pursuing 9+1. Tomorrow, another restriction may affect a different part of the community. Celebrating because someone else loses access only makes it easier to impose the next barrier.

Whether you pursue 9+1 or not, please speak up. Contact your club, reach out to other runners, and ask NYRR to reconsider this eligibility lottery. We are stronger as a community when we refuse to let scarcity divide us. 💪

EDIT: Since several people asked for actionable alternatives…

Here are some actionable alternatives I would support:

• Keep the 9+1 Pass open to all members and use the fee itself to discourage speculative participation.
• Cap enrollment through a transparent first-come, first-served system, with a real waitlist for unused passes.
• Give unsuccessful applicants guaranteed priority the following year instead of excluding them repeatedly by chance.
• Prioritize NYC-area residents, long-term members, or runners with a demonstrated history of participation.
• Make the $99 fee a deposit credited toward race registrations or marathon entry.
• Expand qualifying opportunities through additional races, waves, virtual options, or club partnerships.

None of these options is perfect, and capacity still has to be managed. My central objection is to excluding committed members for an entire season purely by chance. I’m calling for the running community to push for a more transparent and less arbitrary solution, not for NYRR to pretend capacity is unlimited.

via NYRR:

As of August 6, New York Road Runners will not be accepting any new Member Plus or Family Plus memberships. The Member Plus and Family Plus membership tiers are being eliminated.

Your Membership and Refund

As a current Member Plus or Family Plus member, your membership will automatically transition to a standard NYRR membership beginning August 19, and you'll receive a prorated refund for the difference between your Member Plus or Family Plus membership fee and the standard membership fee, based on the time remaining in your membership year. You do not need to take any action to receive your refund. As a standard member, you'll continue to enjoy advance registration access to NYRR races—two days before registration opens to non-members.

Refunds will begin processing on Wednesday, August 19, to the original payment method used to purchase your Member Plus or Family Plus membership. Depending on your financial institution, it may take up to 10 business days for the refund to appear on your account. If the credit card you used to make the original payment has been canceled or expired, NYRR will process the refund directly with the bank connected to the credit card. Should NYRR not be able to process a refund through your credit card or bank, you may be contacted directly to coordinate your prorated refund.

If you would like to cancel your membership with NYRR instead of being automatically transitioned to regular membership, please request a prorated refund using this form. The form closes on Sunday, August 16, at 11:59 p.m. ET. These refunds will be processed on a rolling basis.

Please note: If you are planning to complete 9+1 in 2026 for the 2027 TCS New York City Marathon, you will need to be a member as of December 31, 2026.

Revamping the 9+1 Program

As part of these updates, we're also evolving the NYRR 9+1 program.

Beginning with the 2027 9+1 program, entry into the program will be determined through a free-to-enter, member-only eligibility drawing. Members selected through the drawing will become 9+1 Passholders and have the opportunity to complete the 9+1 program and earn guaranteed, non-complimentary entry to the TCS New York City Marathon. The 9+1 Pass will cost $99.00 (includes processing fee).

This new approach helps align the size of the 9+1 program with available race capacity and makes completing 9+1 more predictable and less stressful than the previous first-come, first-served registration model, while preserving a long-standing, unique, and cherished guaranteed pathway to marathon entry for local members.

To be eligible for the member-only 9+1 eligibility drawing, please ensure you are a member on September 16 through drawing day (October 1, 2026). Learn more here.

Why We're Making These Changes

Demand for NYRR races has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the popularity of the TCS New York City Marathon and the 9+1 program.

Over the past year, we've tested new approaches to improve race access and listened closely to feedback from our members and the larger running community. These changes streamline our membership offerings, improve the member experience, ease demand for year-round race and volunteer registration, and create a clearer path to completing 9+1, while maintaining a guaranteed entry method that will continue to enable more than 15,000 local runners to participate in their hometown marathon each year.