Participation in NYRR events and programs increased to nearly 700,000 athletes served, with NYRR membership exceeding 100,000 for the first time
NYRR Trailblazers program for high school young men in grades 10–12 to launch January 2027
New York, Oct. 15, 2026 – New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races, today released its annual Impact Report, highlighting the organization’s year-round impact across the five boroughs and beyond, and announced new initiatives to expand access to running and movement for New Yorkers.
Throughout fiscal year 2026, New York Road Runners continued to see participant growth, serving nearly 700,000 athletes across all events and programs, with NYRR membership increasing 24 percent year-over-year (YoY) to 101,139 members—exceeding 100,000 members for the first time.
Building on decades of free youth and community programming, New York Road Runners announced the launch of NYRR Trailblazers, a free, six-week summer running program that will introduce high school young men across the five boroughs to the sport. The program is modeled after NYRR Run for the Future, the nonprofit’s free running program for high school young women, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2026.
“At New York Road Runners, we’re committed to creating opportunities for New Yorkers to discover running, build healthy habits, and find community through movement,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. “Our continued growth is a testament to the positive impact of running to build healthier lives and stronger communities, and we’re excited to continue expanding the reach of our mission through our new brand platform, ‘Believe in Every Step,’ and offering additional programming to make running more accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.”
New York Road Runners FY26 Impact Report
During fiscal year 2026, spanning April 2025 through March 2026, New York Road Runners experienced record growth across participation in events, community impact programs, membership, charitable fundraising, and volunteering in the five boroughs and beyond.
In service of its nonprofit mission and vision, New York Road Runners reached more people than ever before as the world’s leading community running organization with global reach and local impact. Milestones from the FY26 report include:
- Increased Participation: The total number of participants in New York Road Runners events and programs increased to 691,947 (+3.5 percent YoY), reflecting the continued strength of NYRR’s global running community.
- This includes 397,231 unique event and program participants (+9.8 percent YoY) and 199,805 Rising New York Road Runners youth program participants across 957 sites nationwide (+4 percent YoY), 104,517 of whom are based in New York City.
- Record Membership: New York Road Runners membership increased to 101,139 (+24.1 percent YoY), allowing the nonprofit to provide the necessary support to produce its year-round programs and events.
- Virtual Racing Growth: New York Road Runners Virtual Racing Powered by Strava grew to 109,323 participants from 158 countries across 11 virtual races, giving runners opportunities to take part in NYRR events from anywhere.
- Expanded Training Support: NYRR Group Training and virtual training programs provided training to 4,620 participants through in-person Group Training sessions across 10 locations in eight New York City parks, as well as 6,552 participants virtually.
- Increased Volunteer Commitment: 27,990 volunteers dedicated nearly 167,000 hours to New York Road Runners events and programs, providing valuable support to participants and New York City communities in all five boroughs.
- Record-Breaking Charitable Giving: $91.9 million was raised (+16 percent YoY) for 685 Official Charity Partners, including $16 million for NYRR Team for Kids to support New York Road Runners’ free youth and community programs and $874,000 for NYRR Team for Climate to support New York Road Runners’ net-zero sustainability goals.
New York Road Runners also expanded the reach of its year-round running programs for all ages and abilities that create a stronger, healthier, and more connected New York City community. Program highlights from FY26 include:
- Youth Engagement:
- New York Road Runners hosted 19 Rising NYRR youth events—including races, dashes, youth jamborees, and field days—that helped more than 16,000 kids (+28 percent YoY) build confidence to cross any finish line.
- An extension of the Rising NYRR running program, the Youth Ambassadors program offered 30 kids across New York City–area schools a free, six-week public speaking workshop and opportunities to practice their “sports announcer” skills at New York Road Runners press conferences, media interviews, and races and events.
- The Rising NYRR Wheelchair Training Program, a free initiative offering training sessions, resources, and events for kids with physical disabilities, supported 12 youth athletes, with three competing at junior nationals in July 2025.
- Introducing young women in high school to running, the free, six-week NYRR Run for the Futureprogram supported 47 participants (+62 percent YoY) from New York City–area schools as they trained for and ran their first 5K, with sessions on fitness, nutrition, mental health, and body image, as well as tools like workout gear, healthy snacks, and a fitness kit to support their training.
- This year, the program introduced the Beyond the 5K training series, preparing program alumnae for longer-distance races.
- In addition, 97 NYRR Run for the Future alumnae continued their journeys at 31 NYRR races and events, including 20 at the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon.
- NYRR Striders, a free group walking and fitness program, celebrated its 15th anniversary during FY26. The program encouraged 1,217 older adults (+3.9 percent YoY) to be active while fostering social connection across 20 parks, community centers, and older adult centers throughout the five boroughs, with 71 percent reporting improved health outcomes.
- NYRR Open Run, a community-based initiative bringing free weekly runs and walks to 16 neighborhood parks in greater New York City, celebrated its 10th anniversary, supporting more than 19,000 participants of all ages and fitness levels, including 191 first-timers, with more than 700 runs and walks.
- The NYRR Race Free program, which provides complimentary race entries to qualifying New Yorkers, offered over 3,000 entries to more than 1,000 program participants.
NYRR Trailblazers Program
As part of its continued commitment to make running more accessible and inclusive, New York Road Runners will expand its free youth programming in FY27 with the launch of the NYRR Trailblazers program.
The free program, taking place June 28–Aug. 7, 2027, will take a holistic approach to introducing young high school men in New York City to running, culminating with participants running their first 5K at the NYRR Percy Sutton Harlem 5K.
“For 15 years, NYRR Run for the Future has shown us the transformative impact that introducing young women to running can have on their confidence, health, and sense of belonging,” said Simmelkjaer. “With the launch of NYRR Trailblazers, we’re excited to bring those same opportunities to high school young men across New York City. Trailblazers is about much more than training for a 5K. It’s about creating a supportive community where young men can build meaningful friendships, find mentorship, develop resilience, and gain the confidence to take on challenges. We want every participant to leave the program believing in themselves and recognizing that they are capable of more than they imagined.”
With 25 percent of young men in the U.S. reporting they feel lonely, the NYRR Trailblazers program will help young men build meaningful connections, character, and resilience. Participants will train together—encouraging one another while learning from coaches and mentors—forming a brotherhood that will extend beyond the program.
The structured curriculum will introduce participants to running fundamentals, goal setting, and confidence building, with educational workshops that connect movement, wellness, and everyday life, including sessions on nutrition, mental well-being, self-awareness, and body image. To remove barriers to running, participants will also receive New Balance running gear and sneakers, an OMNY card for transportation to in-person practices, pre- and post-workout snacks, and opportunities to participate in other NYRR races, events, and training programs.
Registration for the program will open on Jan. 19, 2027, for rising 10th- through 12th-grade high school young men residing in New York City—no running or sports experience required. Those interested can sign up for NYRR Trailblazers information and updates HERE.
In addition to the launch of the NYRR Trailblazers program, New York Road Runners has continued to build on its impact highlighted in FY26 to remove barriers to running in FY27, including refurbishing the Star Spangled Playground track in Brooklyn, renovating and expanding the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and doubling the number of New Yorkers served by NYRR Race Free from 1,000 to 2,000 while increasing the number of complimentary race entries offered to 4,000.
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.