New York, Sept. 23, 2026 –
New York Road Runners—the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the
TCS New York City Marathon and providing free year-round youth and community programming—today announced an expansion of its largest youth event, the
TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff. Doubling in size from the 2025 event, the expanded TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff will feature nearly 5,000 youth athletes of all abilities ages 2 to 18. It will be held in five park locations over two days, starting Saturday, Oct. 24, in the outer boroughs, and finishing with the final event in Central Park, Sunday, Oct. 25, exactly one week before the TCS New York City Marathon. Registration for all five free youth event locations is now open.
“The TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff is an opportunity for New York Road Runners to inspire the next generation of runners and expose them to the marathon’s magic,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. “Just like the New York City Marathon 50 years ago, we are taking this event out of Central Park and bringing it to all five boroughs. With 5,000 kids taking part, this is our biggest youth event ever, allowing us to spread the transformative power of running to athletes of all ages across New York City.”
“Every runner starts somewhere. By expanding the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff across all five boroughs, nearly 5,000 young people will have the chance to take part in an experience that builds confidence and discover what they’re capable of,” said Amit Bajaj, President of TCS North America. “We’re proud to partner with New York Road Runners to help young people discover their strengths and celebrate what they can achieve.”
The expansion of the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff is part of a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original 5-boro New York City Marathon, which brought the race out of Central Park and into the city’s streets in 1976. Since its launch in 2023, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff has been held exclusively in Central Park. This year, for the first time, the event will expand beyond Manhattan, with simultaneous Kids Kickoff events taking place across multiple boroughs throughout the weekend, marking a first in New York Road Runners history.
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. Last year’s event welcomed nearly 2,500 kids ages 2 to18.
The TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff will start with events in Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Queens, Saturday, Oct. 24. Each free event will feature dashes and non-competitive races for nearly 500 kids from ages 2 to 18:
In Manhattan on Sunday, Oct. 25, just one week before nearly 60,000 runners take on the TCS New York City Marathon—the best day of the year, in the best city in the world—3,000 kids ages 8 to18 will take part in Stage 2 and 3 races starting at the
marathon finish line in Central Park for the fifth and final TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff event.
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.
Throughout the year, New York Road Runners offers a variety of races, community events, and free programming, serving more than half a million people annually as part of its mission to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.
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About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970-2026)
Initially run in 1970 as four laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time on Oct. 24, 1976, to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro marathon course and setting a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Produced by the world’s premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently one of the largest marathons in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than two million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving more than half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features nearly 60,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit
www.nyrr.org.