New York Road Runners (NYRR), the US-based non-profit that organises more than 60 adult and youth races annually, has announced expanded sustainability efforts for this year’s TCS New York City Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
The efforts are anchored by a new multi-year partnership with Culligan International, the international water solutions company. This is alongside the second year of the NYRR Team for Climate programme.
Culligan International joins as the Official Water Solutions Partner, in a move designed to reduce the reliance on plastic and promote sustainable hydration.
Starting this year, Culligan will offset the use of more than 200,000 single-use plastic water bottles by providing recyclable aluminium bottles for all TCS New York City Marathon finishers, and at race-week events such as the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K and TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff.
Scott Clawson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Culligan International, said “Meaningful partnerships like this with the New York Road Runners bring our mission to life tangibly, putting great water in the hands of those who are so intentional about what goes in their bodies as they prepare for such an important run. Together, we can elevate and implement more sustainable water behaviors that are better for our bodies and our planet.”
The partnership will continue to explore additional plastic reduction and refill solutions in years to come.
NYRR Team for Climate, the non-profit’s dedicated entry method linked to sustainability, returns for its second year. Since its introduction, the programme has raised more than US$1 million, which was used to successfully offset the entire carbon footprints of the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon, the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half, and the 2025 RBC Brooklyn Half.
A portion of funds raised will continue to be used to purchase carbon credits from four improved forest management projects through Anew Climate, a climate solutions specialist: the Hartwood Forestry Project, the Eagle Mountain Forestry Project, the 100-Mile Wilderness Forest Project, and the Empire Riverlands Forest Project.
A portion of the funds will also be used for carbon insetting projects to reduce the total emissions generated by NYRR’s events and operations. These projects include transitioning to electric vehicles and generators during events and using Energy Star appliances at facilities.
For the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, NYRR Team for Climate will expand its impact by introducing new measures:
Plastic waste reduction: All NYRR Team for Climate members will opt out of race-day baggage.
Textile waste reduction: Athletes are encouraged to donate at least one used pair of running shoes at the marathon expo. During registration, runners also had the opportunity to opt out of receiving the official race shirt, which is made from 100% recycled polyester.
The 200 NYRR Team for Climate runners will continue to take the most sustainable transportation option – the Staten Island Ferry – to the race start, and access a sustainable start tent powered by solar generators, with sustainable catering.
Rob Simmelkjaer, Chief Executive Officer at New York Road Runners, said “At New York Road Runners, we have prioritized sustainability for nearly a decade as part of our vision to achieve Net Zero by 2040 and ensure future generations have a healthy world in which to be active.
“With Culligan joining as a Strategic Partner, we are creating new opportunities to educate the running community on the importance of reusing and recycling. This year, we are also expanding the impact of NYRR Team for Climate in supporting our efforts to offset emissions, conserve natural resources, and set new sustainability standards for the sports industry.”
NYRR is collaborating with advocacy group Protect Our Winters (POW), which joins as an Official Charity Partner and will support NYRR Team for Climate to amplify shared sustainability goals.
Sustainability-forward activations during race week include:
A plogging event on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 12:00–13:30 ET, with guests including 2024 US Olympic Trials Champion Fiona O’Keeffe.
A sustainability-focused panel on the Citizens Stage at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Expo presented by New Balance on Saturday, November 1, from 14:00–15:00.
The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon sustainability initiatives on race day will include:
Nine Waste Diversion Stations at the start and finish, staffed by Green Team volunteers. In 2024, 190,120 pounds of material was recycled.
Donation of all leftover food to charity partner City Harvest. In 2024, 22,531 pounds of leftover food was donated.
Composting of all Gatorade and water cups at McEnroe Farms in Upstate New York. In 2024, 140,620 pounds of material was composted.
Collection and donation of discarded runner clothing at the start to All of Us clothing. In 2024, 96,000 pounds of clothing was collected and donated.
The use of six all-electric Volvo EX90 lead vehicles and 14 hybrid Volvo XC90 support vehicles.
Official race shirts from New Balance made with 100% recycled polyester.
www.nyrr.org
www.culliganinternational.com