New York City Marathon 2021 will happen

Update (October 17, 2021)

In an Oct. 15 statement, the NYC Marathon organization announced the countries from which it will be impossible to reach the U.S. in time for the race. As is well known, President Biden has decided to ease restrictive regulations regarding entry from foreign countries for many nations (including Europe and therefore Italy) but only starting next November 8. The NYC Marathon will take place on November 7, effectively making it impossible for those who had registered to participate. Involving among other things long commutes and a necessary settling-in period, it is normal for participants to arrive a few days early.

Here is information on how , while keeping your registration valid, to re-register for the 2022 edition. Hoping that a year from now these problems will really be only a distant memory.

It’s official: with a press conference announcement by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo himself, the 2021 edition of the New York City Marathon will be held. The number of participants, given the need to comply with anti-covid regulations, Will be reduced to 33,000 attendance from the usual 55,000, and arrangements will be made that we have become accustomed to, such as spacing, buffers and, in special cases, even the use of masks. But let’s look in more detail at each aspect of the race.

Health and Safety

While anticipating that anti-covid guidelines may change between now and November, there is arequirement in specific cases (not yet mentioned in the FAQ) towear a face mask, which is strongly recommended during the course of the race. The New York Road Runners (who are organizing the event) will provide them at the start and finish.

Protocols regarding the requirement to show negative test or vaccination certificate or compliance with any quarantines are constantly evolving and will be promptly communicated to enrollees.

Spacing is provided, which is also ensured by the time start mode that can be adjusted according to the participants.

Who will be able to participate

Those who joined the “resolution program” and thus chose to participate in the 2021 edition are guaranteed the slot. Starting May 20, NYRR will send confirmation emails with appropriate instructions.

Those who did not opt for any of the editions (2021, 2022, 2023) that were offered as alternatives to the cancelled 2020 edition will not get a refund but will have a guaranteed slot for the next edition, which they will still have to pay for again.

Those who were registered for the 2020 edition but had not opted for any of the following can still claim their slot from June 8 until July 15. Slops intended for Team for Kids, charities and international tour operators will also be available.

Those who have completed the 2020 virtual edition and those who have run at least 15 marathons are entitled to the guaranteed slot (please note that the so-called “guaranteed entry” still requires payment of the entry fee).

Those who are not part of these groups of runners can still try to sign up through participating charity programs, or with NYRR Team for Kids or finally with an international tour operator.

Come partecipare alla Maratona di New York (e correre felici)

The virtual race

There will still be a virtual NY City Marathon, run by Strava, with registration opening June 10. The competition will take place between October 23 and November 7.

We end on a “real” note: there will be an expo. Of course, in full compliance with anti-covid regulations.

It will be a decidedly special 50th New York City Marathon: both because of the procedures and the small number, and because it has been decided to call it the “50th” anyway, even though it would be the 51st. Rightly, we feel to say, the 2020 one has been cancelled, in every sense.

Update (September 3, 2021)

As anticipated, the conditions for entry into the U.S. are constantly changing, partly because of the epidemiological picture. In particular, at present it seems to be ruled out that entry from Italy would be allowed.

From the Visti.co.uk website:

The ban on entry into the U.S.

At present, the U.S. government does not exclude travelers based on their nationality, but based on the countries they were in (stay/transit) during the period close to travel. Even if they hold an ESTA, some travelers may be denied entry to the U.S. for reasons of containing further spread of the Coronavirus. This measure is known as the entry ban (“travel ban”). The temporary entry ban precludes travelers who have been in Italy in the 14 days prior to their departure, or in one of the countries listed below, from entering the United States:

(Thanks to Gianluigi Clerici for the report)