NY MARATHON
What is the prize money for the New York marathon?
With the 2021 NY marathon to be held this Sunday, many people have just one thing in mind, conquering the prize money. Learn if you are eligible for the award.
This year’s NYC marathon prize money adds up to a total of $777,500 to be shared equally between men and women among the Open division, USA division, NYRR member division, Masters Division and Professional Wheelchair.
“New York Road Runners is committed to supporting professional, elite, and local elite athletes by offering prize money at select races,” the organizers said on their website.
However, taking the prize home is not so easy, as rules require athletes to meet certain requirements in order to receive the money.
Below is the prize money and how to be eligible for each division:
Open Division
The Open is the main division of the traditional Eastern marathon and therefore, is the one with more participants.
A total of $534,000 is to be shared equally between both men and women categories. This means each category is rewarded with $267,000 shared according to the first 10 finish spots, based on gun time.
Men and Women Categories
| Final Place (gun time) | Prize Money |
| 1st | $100,00 |
| 2nd | $60,000 |
| 3rd | $40,000 |
| 4th | $25,000 |
| 5th | $15,000 |
| 6th | $10,000 |
| 7th | $7,5000 |
| 8th | $5,000 |
| 9th | $2,500 |
| 10th | $2,000 |
Elegibility
- Athletes competing in the Professional or Invited Athlete start
USA División
In contrast with the Open, the USA division just awards prize money to the final five places based on gun time. $116,000 will be shared between categories.
First-place winners will earn $25,000, followed by second spots with $15,000. Moreover, money will cascade from finish places 3-5 with $10,000, $5,000, and $3,000 being awarded respectively.
Elegibility
- US citicenship
- Not eligible to represent another national federation in any other international competition
- Athletes competing in the Professional or Invited Athlete start
NYRR Member Division
$38,000 will be shared equally Among men and women categories.
Men and Women Categories
| Place | Open | Masters | Team |
| 1st | $5,000 | $500 | $1,500 |
| 2nd | $4,000 | $250 | $1,000 |
| 3rd | $3,000 | $150 | $500 |
| 4th | $2,000 | $100 | not awarded |
| 5th | $1,000 | not awarded | not awarded |
Elegibility
- Participants must been a NYRR member for at least since July 1, 2021
- Have completed three fully-scored NYRR races between November 4, 2019 and October 10, 2021
Masters Division
$12,000 will be shared equally between categories with just the first three spots to be awarded. The first participant to cross the line will get $3,000, runner-up will take home $2,000 and the third spot will earn $1,000. All of the prizes are cumulative with the Open Division
Elegibility
- Athletes aged 40 or older can compete in the Masters Division
- Only competitors who start in the Professional or Invited Athlete start or the “time trial” start
Professional Wheelchair
Men and Women Categories
| Final Place | Prize Money |
| 1st | $25,000 |
| 2nd | $20,000 |
| 3rd | $15,000 |
| 4th | $10,000 |
| 5th | $5,000 |
| 6th | $2,500 |
Time Bonuses
As this is the 50th anniversary of the NYC marathon, the organizers have announced a special $50,000 bonus to the competitor who breaks the existing record, note that tying the record will not get you to win the money.
Existing records:
Men Open Division: 2:05:06, Geoffrey Mutai, 2011
Women Open Division: 2:22:31, Margaret Okayo, 2003