Many major marathons and half-marathons still allow runners to secure a spot without a lottery. The New York City Marathon has shifted to a lottery system, but other races remain open to all who register on time. For instance, the Frankfurt Marathon uses open registration until the field is full. Similarly, the Vienna Marathon and the Seville Marathon sell spots first-come, first-served.
In the United States, the Sacramento Marathon and the Monumental Marathon offer tiered first-come registration without a lottery. The Philadelphia Marathon, though sold out for 2026, is a target for 2027. Boston remains a merit-based entry, though it now includes a drawing for near-miss qualifiers. For half-marathons, Lisbon and Vienna offer open registration, while Philadelphia’s half is first-come for 2027. Read more culture coverage.
For races that sell out quickly, preparation is key. Runners should set up their accounts, save payment details, and be ready at the exact registration opening time. Some races hold back spots for charity partners or maintain waitlists. As demand continues to rise, securing a spot in these remaining races requires timely action. Related: NYC Marathon 9+1 Program Introduces Annual Lottery for Entry.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.