Central Park event to cap off weekend of youth events with 5,000 participants across all five boroughs
WHAT:
One week before 60,000 athletes take on the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon (Nov. 1)—the best day of the yearin thebest city in the world—New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, will host their premier youth event, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff featuring nearly 5,000 youth athletes of all abilities from ages 2 to 18.
This year, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff has expanded across all five boroughs over two days for the first time as part of a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original 5-boro New York City Marathon. This year’s two-day 5-boro event will feature double the number of kids that participated in 2025, with 5,000 total expected participants, with 3,000 in Central Park alone on Sunday.
WHERE/WHEN:
Sunday, October 25
Central Park, at 9 a.m.
Start: West Drive, Just South of W. 67th Street
- 9 a.m. – Stage 3 Race Start
Finish: Center Drive, South of Terrace Drive
- 9:08 a.m. – First finisher expected
- 9:20 – 10 a.m. – Post-race interviews
WHO:
Manhattan:
- Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO
- Media availability from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
- Nnenna Lynch, Chair, New York Road Runners Board of Directors
- Media availability from 9:15 – 9:45 a.m.
- Anya Smith, 15-year-old Rising New York Road Runners Youth Ambassador
- Media availability from 9:20 – 10 a.m.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
The TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff is New York Road Runners’ largest and marquee youth event. Throughout the year, the nonprofit hosts 20 free youth events, designed to give the next generation of runners the confidence to cross any finish line. Many participants in the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff will be members of Rising New York Road Runners, the organization’s running-based youth program serving nearly 200,000 students nationwide, including 100,000 in New York City.
Participants in all five boroughs will receive a medal and a New Balance T-shirt to commemorate the event. Besides running, families will be able to take part in games and activities at the race festival, including an obstacle course, face painting, and photo opportunities. At the Central Park event, there will be refreshments provided by Dunkin’ and TCS will host an activation encouraging runners to develop a mantra, promoting a growth mindset that can be used both in a race and in the classroom.