New York, September 28, 2018 – New York Road Runners (NYRR) today announced its plans to bring Rising New York Road Runners, the organization’s flagship free youth program, to the children of Puerto Rico. The national program provides high-quality and innovative programming designed to motivate all kids to get running and stay healthy and active for life.

To better understand the needs of the children and the capabilities of the schools and community centers in Puerto Rico, NYRR has enlisted the help of two-time Puerto Rican Olympian Beverly Ramos. Ramos, the most decorated track & field athlete in Puerto Rican history who earned NCAA All-American honors twice while at Kansas State University, is an active mentor and coach to the young athletes of Puerto Rico.Through this new partnership, she will serve as Rising New York Road Runners’ Ambassador & Special Advisor to Puerto Rico.

“Extending our national reach beyond the 50 states to Puerto Rico is something that we have been working on for some time and following the devastation of last year’s hurricanes we started to look at ways we could help in an impactful way,” said Rachel Pratt, senior vice president of youth and community services at NYRR. “With so much to be done, we felt it made the most sense to do what we do best. Together with Bev, who is an inspiration to so many on the island, Rising New York Road Runners will start to supply clothing and shoe donations, structured programming, and most importantly, a free, fun and healthy physical outlet to the children of Puerto Rico. This is only the beginning.”

“Following last year’s devastation in Puerto Rico, sports were the last thing on my mind, or on anyone’s minds. Through my role as an athlete, I felt it was up to me to demonstrate the strength and resilience of my community and the people of Puerto Rico,” said Ramos. "Representing Puerto Rico at last year's TCS New York City Marathon proved how important the role of sports is in unifying people after a tragedy. I'm looking forward to sharing the joys of running with the children of Puerto Rico through my new role."

With a focus on fostering fundamental movement and sport skills, Rising New York Road Runners aims to teach assurance and competence in youth. The program gradually introduces new skills as students grow, based on a timeline backed by the latest athletic research. Program leads in Puerto Rico will receive comprehensive training, and access to the Rising New York Road Runners activity bank, making it simple to tailor standard-based lesson plans, taking into consideration space, equipment, and the amount of time available, as well as students' ages and abilities. Rising New York Road Runners is a fun and social program that can be incorporated into a school or community center environment.

As an added reward for participants and coaches, running gear, water bottles, sports equipment, and other rewards will be provided. Additionally, the Rising New York Road Runners of Puerto Rico will have an opportunity to receive free New Balance Running shoes through the 1 for You 1 for Youth shoe donation program. For each pair of shoes purchased at the New Balance Run Hub, New Balance will donate a pair of running shoes to NYRR’s youth programs. In turn, New York Road Runners distributes the running shoes to participants in their free youth running programs.*

NYRR’s youth programs are supported by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Premier Partner of NYRR and NYRR youth and community programs and the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon; New Balance, the Official Athletic Footwear and Apparel Partner of NYRR; and the New Balance Foundation. For more information on Rising New York Road Runners, please visit rising.nyrr.org.

NYRR is committed to bringing Rising New York Road Runners to Puerto Rico in an effort to support the children, families, and communities in need of assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, and is accepting donations to help support these efforts. Please consider supporting this cause here: https://webapps.nyrr.org/

About New York Road Runners (NYRR) In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.

*In 2018, for every pair of shoes sold to a customer at the NYRR RUNCENTER, New Balance and NYRR shall donate a pair of shoes to a New York Road Runners supported youth program, up to a maximum cost of $300,000. For more information about New York Road Runners visit www.nyrr.org.