A crowd of runners at one of the races hosted by Queens Distance Runners in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Photo courtesy of Queens Distance Runners
Queens Distance Runners (QDR) announces the return of its Cultural Run Series — community-centered runs that celebrate the borough’s diversity — with the Amihan Filipino Run on Saturday, April 11, at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
QDR, a grassroots nonprofit running organization, organizes affordable, neighborhood races that showcase its vibrant tapestry. The four-mile race marks the revival of a tradition that began in 2016, when QDR introduced its first series of runs that promoted the defining cultures of the World’s Borough.
An advertisement of the Amihan Filipino 4 Miler, scheduled for Saturday, April 11. Photo courtesy of Queens Distance Runners
What started as a handful of grassroots events has since grown into a borough-wide running movement, including an extensive race calendar and the Queens Marathon Weekend, which now attracts “thousands of participants annually,” according to a press release. As the organization becomes more renowned, its mission remains rooted in one aspect: community.
The Amihan Filipino Run is a celebration of Queens’ vibrant Filipino community and a tribute to the spirit of connection that fuels the borough. The race also introduces a new visual identity inspired by Amihan, the wind deity in Filipino mythology, symbolizing movement, renewal, and momentum. Designed with elements of wind, flight, and the rising sun, the logo reflects both cultural pride and the energy of the running community.
The newly minted design also takes inspiration from the colors of the Filipino flag, according to the registration page. The deep blue shade symbolizes strength and motion, the gold color for energy and triumph and the white hue for clarity and balance.
“We started these cultural runs in 2016 to reflect the communities that make Queens the most diverse borough in the world,” said Kevin Montalvo, the Founder of Queens Distance Runners, in a statement. “As we’ve grown into something much bigger, a full race calendar, a marathon weekend with genuine momentum, it’s important that we don’t lose that foundation. Bringing back the Filipino Run is about continuing to create spaces where culture and running come together in Queens.”
A view of the crowd of runners at the 2025 Queens Marathon Weekend in December at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Photo by Marek Antoniuk
The running route features a four-loop course totaling four miles, complete with scenic views of the Unisphere and the Fountain of the Planets. With little to no elevation change, the course is set to welcome new personal bests.
The event is made possible in part through the contributions of Christine Jeanjaquet, the Founder and Managing Director of The August Tree, Inc. at the Queens Museum, whose leadership and vision helped shape the race’s identity.
“We are ecstatic that QDR’s first cultural race for the year is the Amihan Filipino Run. Celebrating Queens’ multiculturalism with this event as we give a spotlight to Fil-ams is a great way to be part of our growing barangay,” said Jeanjaquet in a statement. “Come run with us! After the run, have some tsokolate eh [a traditional Filipino hot chocolate beverage] from Unisphere Café and goodies from Arellano Pandesal as you meet new friends.”
A logo of The August Tree, Inc., a gift shop and café at the Queens Museum in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Photo via The August Tree on Facebook
The Amihan Filipino Run is also the next installment of the inaugural Queens Crew Cup, a season-long points competition for Queens-based run crews. The teams earn points by running in various QDR-organized races throughout the year.
Please be advised that runners of all levels are encouraged to participate. To sign up for the Amihan Filipino Run, register here.