NYRR CEO Rob Simmelkjaer on World Marathon Majors Expansion and a Potential Two-Day NYC Marathon

It’s New York City Marathon week, and in this bonus episode of The Marathon Handbook Podcast, host Michael Doyle sits down with Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners (NYRR) and a board member of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Rob explains why NYC Marathon demand is so hard to meet. Close to a quarter million people applied for the lottery, and only about 1% got in through the drawing. He covers why NYRR capped the 9+1 program and how the race balances charity entries, international runners and its 100,000+ members. Rob also shares his view on how many World Marathon Majors there should be, with Shanghai on deck, open questions about South America and India, and how the majors plan to protect the Six Star medal. He gives a rare look at how the WMM board operates.

Michael also asks Rob directly whether New York could follow London and become a two-day, 100,000-runner event. They talk about how NYRR handles celebrity runners and security, and whether Harry Styles plans to run the TCS New York City Marathon the morning after his final Madison Square Garden show. Rob closes with what’s planned for the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, the best places to watch on race day, and his favorite moment on the course: the quiet climb over the Queensboro Bridge.

Come see us live! NYC MILE ZERO LIVE SHOW, Oct 31, Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marathon-handbook-live-mile-zero-nyc-2026-tickets-2002340913574

NYC Shakeout Run, Oct. 31 Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wahoo-x-marathon-handbook-nyc-shakeout-run-tickets-2003193817633?aff=erelpanelorg

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