Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Frustrated Runners Sue NY Marathon Over Their Lottery System
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 22, 2016
Modified Oct 12, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jan 22, 2016
Modified Oct 12, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As if running 26.2 miles weren't enough of a struggle, just getting into the NY Marathon is a pretty difficult process—if you aren't raising funds through a charity organization, prospective runners have to complete a number of New York Road Runners races or enter a lottery. And it costs $11 to put your name in for consideration, which isn't a huge expense but certainly adds up when you apply year after year, which is why two prospective runners from Utah are suing NYRR for allegedly running an illegal lottery.
Charles Konopa and Matthew Clark are suing for over $10 million in damages, alleging that NYRR took in about $5.2 million in processing fees from 2010 to 2015.
The suit argues that the organization has never gotten a license from the state Gaming Commission and are therefore operating illegally. NYRR says they've done nothing wrong. "'The $11 processing fee, which supports our mission as a not-for-profit community-based running organization, is charged to everyone who registers for the marathon regardless of whether they participate in the drawing or receive a guaranteed entry,'' spokesman Chris Weiller told the Associated Press.
Konopa and Clark themselves seem to have spent about $11 and $22 respectively, the former having entered the lottery in 2014 and the latter in 2011 and 2015; neither has ever been selected.
Tagged
marathon
nyrr
running
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. ET
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .