Historic fundraising milestone celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro course and 20 years of the Official Charity Partner Program
Record 670+ official charity partners participating in 2026, with 60% based in New York City
New York, Oct. 28, 2026 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races, today announced that it has exceeded its $100 million charity fundraising goal for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, marking a major milestone prior to race day on Sunday, Nov. 1.
The achievement comes as New York Road Runners celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro New York City Marathon course and the 20th anniversary of its Official Charity Partner Program, demonstrating the transformative power of running in support of charitable causes in New York City and around the world.
In February, New York Road Runners announced its goal of raising more than $100 million through the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, building on a record-breaking 2025, when more than 14,000 charity runners raised $80 million for more than 600 nonprofit organizations. For 2026, NYRR expanded the program to more than 670 Official Charity Partners, the most in its history, with approximately 60% based in New York City, up from 52% in 2025. The expansion reflects NYRR’s commitment to giving back to the communities that have supported the marathon throughout its five decades as a five-borough event.
“Surpassing our $100 million fundraising goal is a remarkable testament to the generosity and dedication of our runners, charity partners, and supporters,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “Creating a lasting impact that extends far beyond race day, strengthens communities, and brings people together is what it’s all about.”
The TCS New York City Marathon also serves as a major fundraising opportunity for the organization’s NYRR Team for Kids and NYRR Team for Climate. Since 2002, Team for Kids, New York Road Runners’ premier charity running team, has raised more than $138 million, including nearly $11.4 million during the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon season, directly supporting NYRR’s free youth and community programming and helping make running accessible to New Yorkers of all ages and abilities all year long.
Now in its third year, NYRR Team for Climate will return to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon with 200 runners participating in a sustainability-focused race experience. Launched in 2024 as the first marathon entry method tied to sustainability efforts at a major marathon, the program has raised more than $1.9 million, including nearly $650,000 in 2025, to support New York Road Runners’ sustainability initiatives. Funds raised in 2026 will support carbon insetting and offsetting efforts.
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 2 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