New York Road Runners’ marquee race in the borough honors Queens’s rich culture, vibrant communities, and unique character
Citizens returns as title sponsor for third year, with proceeds from the race supporting charity beneficiary Pursuit
Nearly 1,000 youth to participate in accompanying Flushing Meadows Kids Run, one of 20+ annual Rising New York Road Runners youth events encouraging kids to get physically active
New York, June 15, 2026 – New York Road Runners (NYRR), 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 programs, will host 12,000 adult runners Saturday, June 20, at the sold-out 2026 Citizens Queens 10K, as well as nearly 1,000 youth in the accompanying Flushing Meadows Kids Run.
“The Citizens Queens 10K is more than a race—it’s a celebration of the communities that make Queens one of the most dynamic places in the world,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “As our marquee event in Queens, it reflects our belief in the power of movement to bring people together. Through races, youth programs, and community events throughout the year, we are helping more local residents believe in every step and discover what’s possible through running.”
Citizens Partnership
For the third year, Citizens returns as the title partner for this marquee Queens event as part of its Foundation-level partnership with the New York Road Runners – serving as the Official Bank since 2023.
Citizens is proud to operate 17 branches across Queens and to invest in partnerships in its local community. Registered runners can pick up their bib for the race at the Citizens Woodside branch located at 5120 Northern Boulevard between June 17–18 from noon to 5 p.m., where they will have an opportunity to enter a raffle for a chance to win a *2027 United Airlines NYC Half bib.
Citizens is also offering an exclusive public transportation promotion—Citizens customers who use their personal Citizens Mastercard® debit or credit card to pay at the MTA subway turnstile or when getting on the bus race weekend, June 18–20, will receive a $3 statement credit.
“Each year, the Citizens Queens 10K brings to life the connections that make this borough so extraordinary,” said Rebecca O’Connell, NYC Metro Market President at Citizens. “From first-time runners to longtime community members, this event reflects the spirit, ambition, and vibrancy that define Queens.”
Flushing Meadows Kids Run
In addition to the adult 10K, nearly 1,000 kids ages 2 to 18 will participate in free dashes and races as part of the Flushing Meadows Kids Run, one of more than 20 free Rising New York Road Runners youth events the nonprofit hosts during the year. The kids-only event will take place near the start of the adult race for a fun and rewarding experience that encourages kids to be physically active and builds their confidence to cross any finish line. Participants will include members of Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR’s free running-based youth program that serves 200,000 students nationwide, with 100,000 students in New York City. Registered youth runners will receive a New Balance lunchbox, and finishers will receive a medal.
Post-Race Festival
Citizens will host its annual post-race festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park to celebrate both runners and the Queens community. Open to the public from 8 a.m. to noon, the festival will offer music from a live DJ; delicious summer treats from a popsicle truck and brownies from Queens Night Market vendor Dilena’s Dolcini; exciting raffles, including an item signed by New York Giants legend and Citizens ambassador Eli Manning, tickets to the New York Giants 2026 season home opener, tickets to The Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park presented by Citizens, and entry to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon; and fun photo opportunities.
Citizens Queens 10K 2026 Charity Beneficiary
This year, race registrants had the opportunity to donate to Citizens Queens 10K charity beneficiary Pursuit, a Queens-based nonprofit helping low-income New Yorkers launch life-changing careers in technology and AI. Through Pursuit, participants, which include immigrants and first-generation Americans from low-income communities, can increase their earning from $17K to $94K annually, generating over $1 billion in lifetime wage gains. Support for Pursuit will help the nonprofit to transform lives, uplift communities, and open doors to a more hopeful future for all Americans.
About the Citizens Queens 10K
Now in its 13th year, the Citizens Queens 10K features a 6.2-mile course that runs through picturesque Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the borough’s largest park. Runners will tour the park’s sights, including the Fountain of the Planets, Unisphere, the Queens Museum, and more.
The Citizens Queens 10K—which evolved from what used to be the Queens Half Marathon, first produced by New York Road Runners in 1994—is the fourth of six races in the NYRR Five-Borough Series, showcasing New York Road Runners’ commitment to the individuals and communities in each borough. The other races in this series are the NYRR Manhattan 10K in February, the United Airlines NYC Half in March, the RBC Brooklyn Half in May, the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile on September 19, and the NYRR Staten Island Half on October 11.
NYRR Year-Round Impact in Queens
New York Road Runners serves 9,000 members in Queens (+13% YoY), with 23 local run clubs in the borough. Additional highlights from New York Road Runners’ year-round impact in Queens include:
NYRR Open Run: Free, weekly community-led runs hosted in five neighborhood parks across Queens that are regularly attended by nearly 600 Queens residents of all ages, abilities, and experience levels.
Rising New York Road Runners: Free running-based youth program that helps nearly 40,000 Queens kids build the skills, confidence, and desire to be physically active for life.
NYRR Striders: Free walking and fitness program with sessions hosted at two Queens sites to help 127 Queens-based older adults lead a more active life and meet new people in their community.
NYRR Race Free: Provides race fee assistance and training to those who financially qualify to make running more accessible for 1,000 participants, including 222 Queens residents, with complimentary race entries to events like the Citizens Queens 10K and the TCS New York City Marathon.
NYRR Group Training: Semi-weekly workout sessions in Astoria Park to support more than 100 Queens runners of all levels with coaching, camaraderie, and the inspiration that comes from running with others.
*No purchase necessary to enter or win. The Citizens Bib Giveaway: United Airlines NYC Half 2027 (“Promotion”) is sponsored by Citizens Bank, N.A. (“Sponsor”). Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and DC who are 18 or older and non-employees of Sponsor as of the date of entry. The Promotion begins at 9:00am ET on June 17, 2026, and ends at 5:00pm ET on June 18, 2026. For additional information, see Official Rules.
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 more than 50,000 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 http://www.nyrr.org/.