Directory · charity entry

Run it for a cause

The biggest US races keep a door open after registration sells out: charity teams. Commit to a fundraising minimum and the bib is yours. These are the programs we've verified against each race's own charity pages — minimums, entry terms, and the official application links.

Verified charity-entry programs

Ordered by composite score · facts from official charity pages · minimums vary by charity · browse the charity teams →

  1. New York City Marathon New York, NY Guaranteed entry Minimums $3,000–$3,500 100.0/100
  2. Chicago Marathon Chicago, IL Guaranteed entry Minimums from $2,200 94.5/100
  3. Boston Marathon Boston, MA Guaranteed entry Minimums $10,000–$15,000 93.3/100
  4. Marine Corps Marathon Arlington, VA Guaranteed entry Minimums $1,000–$3,500 90.8/100
  5. Grandma's Marathon Duluth, MN Guaranteed entry 87.1/100
  6. Twin Cities Marathon Minneapolis, MN Guaranteed entry Minimums $365–$750 85.0/100
  7. Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Washington, DC Guaranteed entry Minimums from $500 81.8/100
  8. Falmouth Road Race Falmouth, MA Guaranteed entry Minimums from $1,500 80.7/100
  9. Houston Marathon Houston, TX Guaranteed entry Minimums from $500 80.5/100
  10. Peachtree Road Race Atlanta, GA Guaranteed entry Donation tiers $200–$500 79.7/100
  11. Philadelphia Marathon Philadelphia, PA Guaranteed entry Minimums $750–$1,500 76.3/100
  12. Broad Street Run Philadelphia, PA Guaranteed entry Minimums $500–$750 72.5/100
  13. NYC Half Marathon New York, NY Guaranteed entry Minimums $1,000–$2,500 71.3/100

How charity entry works

Major races allot guaranteed entries to vetted nonprofit partners. The charity recruits runners who commit to a fundraising minimum — typically a few thousand dollars backed by a card authorization — and in exchange the runner gets a bib that no lottery can take away. For sold-out races it is usually the only remaining way in, and the money is real: New York's charity runners raised $80 million in 2025 alone.

Smaller races usually skip formal bib programs and instead name beneficiary charities or host fundraising pages through their registration platforms — check any race's official site for a "charity" or "fundraising" link.

Rallying friends to run for a cause — any race, any charity? Set up a free team page: a shareable roster with a donate button that goes straight to your charity's own page.

The facts above come from each race's official charity pages, with the check date shown on every race page. Charity listings on BestRaces are editorial: no charity pays to appear, and charity programs never affect a race's score or rank.

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