The Jersey City Marathon & Half Marathon Marquee Experience at Newport

The Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon values a competitive field and supports the development of American distance runners. We offer Elite Entry, Sub-Elite Entry, and Seeded Entry (details below) with proof of qualifying time for Men, Women and Non-binary.  Please send an email including a link to your qualifying time to: elite@jerseycitymarathon.com 

Final elite field and assigned categories will be announced April 1, 2025.  There will be a maximum of 10 males, 10 females, and 10 nonbinary in the Elite category.  The fastest 10 male, 10 females, & 10 non-binary runners registered by April 1, 2025 will be selected to compete in the Elite Category.  If you do not confirm participation between March 25-March 31 your spot will be forfeited and released to the next fastest athlete.

• Elite Entry: 

  • Includes Complimentary Entry, Elite Start Line Position, Complimentary Hotel and Meals, Personal Bottles on Course at Elite Aid Stations (marathon only), Race Day Hospitality Area, Outdoor Warmup Area, Elite Gear Check, Pacers provided (marathon only) for Olympic Trials hopefuls.

  • Elite Qualifying Standards (for Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon):

    • Open Women- 2:44 marathon / 1:17 half marathon

    • Open Men- 2:25 marathon / 1:08 half marathon

    • Open Nonbinary-2:33 marathon/1:13 half marathon

    • Masters Women- 2:50 marathon / 1:20 half marathon

    • Masters Men- 2:33 marathon / 1:12 half marathon

    • Masters Non-binary-2:42 marathon / 1:16 half marathon

• Sub-Elite Entry 

  • Includes Complimentary Entry, Start Line Position directly behind elite athletes, Race Day Hospitality, Outdoor Warmup Area, Elite Gear Check

  • May Include / Subject to Space - Personal Bottles on Course at Elite Aid Stations (marathon only)

  • Sub-Elite Qualifying Standards (for Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon):

    • Open Women- 2:52 marathon / 1:20 half marathon

    • Open Men- 2:32 marathon / 1:11 half marathon

    • Open Non-binary – 2:42 marathon / 1:15 half marathon

    • Masters Women- 3:00 marathon / 1:25 half marathon

    • Masters Men- 2:40 marathon / 1:15 half marathon

    • Masters Non-binary – 2:50 marathon / 1:20 half marathon

• Seeded Entry

  • Includes Discounted Entry, Start Line Position directly behind elite athletes.

  • Seeded Entry Qualifying Standards (for Jersey City Marathon and Half Marathon)

    • Open Women- 3:05 marathon / 1:26 half marathon

    • Open Men- 2:40 marathon / 1:15 half marathon

    • Open Non-binary – 2:50 marathon / 1:20 half marathon

    • Masters Women- 3:12 marathon / 1:30 half marathon

    • Masters Men- 2:45 marathon / 1:20 half marathon

    • Masters Non-binary – 2:57 marathon / 1:25 half marathon

Prize Money & Awards

Awards will be given to the top 5 Open Male, Female and Non-binary athletes, Top 3 Masters Male, Female & Non-binary athletes and Top 3 Jersey City Resident for both the Marathon and Half Marathon.  Awards will also be given to the top 3 Male, Female and Non-binary athletes in each age group: 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-55, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-89, and 90+ and over for both the Marathon and Half Marathon. Prize money will be given out as below. No prize money for age group winners.

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 2 or more athletes receive such suspensions in the previous 5 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 they are eligible for prize money (form W-9, W-8ECI or W-8BEN)

All applications are subject to approval. Submission of an application does not guarantee entry. Standards are as of Aug 1, 2024, and subject to change at the sole discretion of Jersey City Marathon. All athletes must have a verifiable run on a certified course since January 1, 2023. Meeting or exceeding the entry standards does not guarantee Elite Athlete Program entry. You will receive an email indicating if your application has been accepted or declined. You are not officially registered until you receive a confirmation email.