Prizes & Elites
Prizes & Elites
The Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon values a competitive field and supports the development of American distance runners.
We run three entry tiers. Elite Entry is for the marathon only. Sub-Elite and Seeded Entry are open to both the marathon and the half marathon. To apply, email a link to your qualifying result to elite@jerseycitymarathon.com.
Elite Entry — Marathon
Elite Entry is for athletes on or near an Olympic Trials standard, in the Open Men, Open Women and Open Non-binary categories. Masters athletes apply through Sub-Elite or Seeded Entry and are eligible for the full prize purse in their category.
There is no Elite Entry for the half marathon. Fast half marathon athletes are welcome and can earn a complimentary or discounted entry through Sub-Elite or Seeded Entry, but the elite package — hotel, meals, athlete dinner and personal bottles — is for the marathon field only.
| Category | Marathon | Half Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Open Men | 2:19:00 | 1:04:30 |
| Open Women | 2:40:00 | 1:15:00 |
| Open Non-binary | 2:30:00 | 1:10:00 |
To be accepted as an Elite Entry, an athlete must have run one of the standards above within the last 18 months. Meeting the standard does not guarantee acceptance. Elite Entry is awarded at the discretion of the race. Applications are reviewed as they arrive. To apply, please contact elite@jerseycitymarathon.com with your recent performances and what you are targeting.
Sub-Elite Entry
Sub-Elite Entry is for athletes racing near the front of the field, in the marathon or the half marathon. Open to Men, Women and Non-binary athletes in both Open and Masters categories.
| Category | Marathon | Half Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Open Men | 2:30:00 | 1:10:00 |
| Open Women | 2:50:00 | 1:20:00 |
| Open Non-binary | 2:40:00 | 1:14:00 |
| Masters Men | 2:38:00 | 1:14:00 |
| Masters Women | 3:00:00 | 1:25:00 |
| Masters Non-binary | 2:50:00 | 1:20:00 |
Seeded Entry
Seeded Entry is for athletes who want a start position ahead of the general field, in the marathon or the half marathon. Open to Men, Women and Non-binary athletes in both Open and Masters categories.
| Category | Marathon | Half Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Open Men | 2:40:00 | 1:15:00 |
| Open Women | 3:05:00 | 1:26:00 |
| Open Non-binary | 2:50:00 | 1:20:00 |
| Masters Men | 2:45:00 | 1:20:00 |
| Masters Women | 3:12:00 | 1:30:00 |
| Masters Non-binary | 2:57:00 | 1:25:00 |
Places in each tier are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The final field and category assignments are confirmed by April 1. Meeting a standard does not guarantee entry, and you are not registered until you receive a confirmation email.
Prize Money & Awards
Prize money is paid to the top six Open athletes in the Marathon, the top three Open athletes in the Half Marathon, the top three Masters athletes in each event, and the top three Jersey City residents in each event. Equal prize money for Men, Women and Non-binary.
| 1st | $3,000 |
| 2nd | $2,000 |
| 3rd | $1,250 |
| 4th | $1,000 |
| 5th | $750 |
| 6th | $500 |
| 1st | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $800 |
| 3rd | $600 |
| 1st | $500 |
| 2nd | $250 |
| 3rd | $150 |
| 1st | $300 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $100 |
| 1st | $500 |
| 2nd | $250 |
| 3rd | $100 |
All prize money is based on gun time and subject to USATF drug testing and eligibility requirements.
Prize Money Eligibility
To be eligible for elite entry or prize money, an athlete must:
- Not be currently serving a suspension for use of a banned substance
- Not have ever served a ban for use of performance enhancing drugs
- Not be represented by coaches and/or agents who have had two or more athletes receive such suspensions in the previous five years
- Not be represented by coaches and/or agents who ever served a ban for use of performance enhancing drugs during their own athletic career
- Provide proper documentation proving eligibility for prize money (form W-9, W-8ECI or W-8BEN)
- Agree to comply with all USATF rules on Long Distance Running, including Rule 144.3(f) (no headphones), Rules 144.2 and 144.3 (no cellphones, watches with communication capability, or other communication devices), and Rule 144 (no refreshments outside of official aid stations)
All applications are subject to approval. Standards are subject to change at the sole discretion of Jersey City Marathon. All athletes must have a verifiable result on a certified course run within the last 18 months.