***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Largest youth event in New York Road Runners history to feature nearly 5,000 kids over two days
WHAT:
One week before 60,000 athletes take on the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon (Nov. 1)—the best day of the year in the best 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.
WHERE/WHEN:
Saturday, October 24
9 a.m.
- Brooklyn: Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6—*MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE*
- Start/Finish: Picnic Tables near Fireboat
- Queens: Astoria Park
- Start/Finish: Shore Boulevard, North of 23rd Terrace
1 p.m.
- The Bronx: St. Mary’s Park
- Start/Finish: Gil Scott-Heron Amphitheater
- Staten Island: Ocean Breeze Park
- Start/Finish: Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex Yard
Sunday, October 25
9 a.m.
- Manhattan: Central Park—*MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE*
WHO:
Brooklyn:
- German Martinez, New York Road Runners Vice President of Community Impact
- Media availability from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
- Ava Pike, 11-year-old Rising New York Road Runners Youth Ambassador
- Media availability from 9:20 – 10 a.m.
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.
This year’s 5-boro event will feature double the number of kids that participated in 2025, with 5,000 expected participants.
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.