If you have even the remotest interest in Running the New York City Marathon in the next couple of years now is the time to act. If you already qualify for 2012, go ahead and enter since applications just opened. If you do not qualify, go ahead and enter for the ballot, but do not hold your breath since the ballot win likelihood is shrinking every year. Another way you can get into 2012 is to become an active member of a NYC running club – clubs get some marathon slots and just might help you. Join now.

Most importantly though, and often overlooked, is that you can easily get a guaranteed entry into 2013 by simply running nine NYRR qualifying races in 2012 plus volunteering once. However, to use this path you MUST join NYRR before January 31, 2012. Act now to join NYRR at a modest fee if you have any possible interest in running in 2013 and you do not qualify otherwise.