New York City
NEW YORK – The 2014 TCS New York City Marathon, set for Sunday, November 2, 2014, will feature a field of runners selected from more than 134,000 applications, it was announced by Mary Wittenberg, president and CEO of New York Road Runners.
An estimated 47,500 to 50,000 runners are expected to participate in the 44th running of the race, which tours 26.2 miles of spectator-lined streets in New York City’s five boroughs.
“This is always one of the most exciting days of the marathon season,” said Wittenberg. “Tens of thousands of runners from around the world now start to focus on their personal journey around New York City’s five boroughs. The race itself is only one day, but the experience—from physical training to mental preparation to fundraising for some—is a journey that lasts for months and is often an experience of a lifetime.“
The TCS New York City Marathon brings together runners from around the world and is made up of both guaranteed and non-guaranteed entries. Runners received guaranteed entry through a variety of methods, which are detailed here on the race website. The application period for all entrants opened on December 2, 2013, and closed on March 18, 2014.
9,170 runners were added to the race field through the non-guaranteed entry drawing, selected from 77,087 applications. The selected runners represent approximately 12% of non-guaranteed applicants.
Last year, 50,266 runners crossed the finish line of the 2013 New York City Marathon, making it the world’s largest marathon ever. More than 100 countries were represented, with runners from each of the 50 states participating.
Official Charity Partner Program and Tata Consultancy Services Team for Kids Sweepstakes
Today marks the launch of the Marathon’s official charity partner program. Runners who were not accepted through the drawing, and those who did not apply during the application period, can still run the race by joining NYRR’s Team for Kids, which raises vital funds to support NYRR’s free youth running programs, or through an official TCS New York City Marathon charity partner. Runners who have been accepted can also raise money for their favorite charity—including Team for Kids, any official charity partner, or the charity of their choice—by using NYRR’s partner fundraising platform powered by CrowdRise. More than $25 million was raised by charity runners during the 2013 New York City Marathon.
As a kick-off to the charity partner program, and to celebrate their inaugural year as the marathon’s new title sponsor, Tata Consultancy Services will provide 26 lucky runners with a Team for Kids fundraising donation and non-complimentary entry in the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon. Runners who were not accepted through the drawing and those who did not apply during the application period can enter a sweepstakes to win one of the Team for Kids entries.
“Our premier partnership with NYRR and sponsorship of the TCS New York City Marathon allows us to engage with communities in the New York area and across North America to raise awareness about health and fitness in a unique way,” said Surya Kant, President, North America, UK and Europe. “By supporting NYRR’s Team for Kids and the Marathon’s charity running program, we can immediately start to make an impact.”
Tata Consultancy Services will fulfill each contest winner’s $2,620 fundraising commitment to Team for Kids. Winners will only be responsible for their own race entry fee. Winners will be able to add to the TCS donation to Team for Kids by fundraising on their own. The winning runners will be supported by the Team for Kids coaches and training program. On race day, they’ll receive VIP treatment and join in the camaraderie of hundreds of Team for Kids teammates—all while running to make a difference in kids’ lives. The sweepstakes, which is now open to the public, will close on Friday, March 28, at 11:59 p.m. EDT