In a bid to uphold principles of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and social responsibility, New York Road Runners (NYRR) has revised its pregnancy and postpartum cancellation policy this week.
NYRR's updated policy is applicable to its three marquee events with race drawings: the Brooklyn Half, NYC Half, and the New York City Marathon.
This move follows the steps taken by other major marathons across the globe, including the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon in 2022. Chicago and Berlin marathons have also implemented similar policies, acknowledging the evolving landscape of runners' needs.
To continue our commitment to a more inclusive and socially responsible organization, #NYRR is excited to announce our Pregnancy and Postpartum Cancellation policy for the #UnitedNYCHalf, the #RBCBrooklynHalf, and the #TCSNYCMarathon. Learn more: https://t.co/pevQyHx5wE pic.twitter.com/vD8VXVNF0M
— New York Road Runners (@nyrr) August 21, 2023
Teaming up with the advocacy organization &Mother, NYRR will now grant athletes registered for any of these races the option to cancel their entry in case of pregnancy or postpartum situations. According to the new guidelines, "Pregnant or postpartum athletes will receive non-complimentary guaranteed entry for one of the next three subsequent NYRR races for which they originally registered."
As per the outlined criteria, athletes become eligible for a Pregnancy and Postpartum Cancellation if they meet any of the following conditions: they will be pregnant during the race they registered for, they will be in the postpartum phase (within a year of childbirth) during the race they registered for, or they have faced pregnancy loss within six months before the scheduled race.
Some good news. Athletes who are pregnant or postpartum will now be able to defer their New York City Marathon entry for up to three years. https://t.co/Oz2gIREKKm
— Fast Women (@fast_women) August 23, 2023
The policy also clarifies that athletes who have been granted a Pregnancy and Postpartum Cancellation need not specify the exact year they intend to claim their guaranteed entry for. The guaranteed entry will be reserved for the next year and will continue to roll over for three years, as long as the entrant doesn't claim it.
To request a cancellation, entrants should be officially registered for the event and are required to initiate the cancellation process through their NYRR account via a support request. A medical authorization form, signed by a licensed healthcare provider, is mandatory to finalize the cancellation procedure. This revised policy aims not only to accommodate the unique needs of athletes but also to foster an environment of inclusivity and support within the running community.
