New York, May 6, 2019 – New York Road Runners (NYRR) today announced its citywide events and efforts for Global Running Day on June 5, a worldwide celebration of running that encourages everyone of all ages and abilities to get moving. Global Running Day is held annually on the first Wednesday in June uniting the running world to host events, festivals and activations worldwide. For the first time, NYRR will host a race on Global Running Day, the NYRR 1 for You 1 for Youth 5K, which will provide the opportunity for 2,000 runners to start their day celebrating with a 5K in Central Park.

To support the NYRR activities throughout the five boroughs, running legends and celebrities including Olympic medalist and American marathon record holder Deena Kastor, New York Giants legend Tiki Barber, American 10K champion Stephanie Bruce, and nine-time U.S. champion Aliphine Tuliamuk will join the celebrations. Additionally, NYRR will host free events and activities throughout the day including Open Runs in every borough, a field day for public schools, group runs, and a virtual race open to runners all over the world.

“I am thrilled to be in New York City, the birthplace of Global Running Day, on June 5 to run with my New York Road Runner friends,” said Kastor. “To enliven the youth in this sport and share strides with the core running community there, is showing the participation in this sport is healthy.”

Around the world, running organizations are executing celebrations to bring people together through running. As part of the global effort, the Million Kid Run will aim to have a million kids pledge to run on June 5. Schools, coaches, and parents can sign up their children and pledge on GlobalRunningDay.org. Last year, more than 282,500 people from 161 countries pledged to run 11.2 million miles on Global Running Day.

“Global Running Day is a remarkable day that brings the running community together to showcase our great sport and inspire people all over the world to run,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO, NYRR. “NYRR is proud to host community events in every borough and to provide opportunities for all ages and abilities to engage in throughout the day in New York. To serve the entire global running community, we are holding a free virtual race for everyone to join in the celebrations.”

NYRR events and activities to celebrate Global Running Day include:

• NYRR 1 for You 1 for Youth 5K – 7:00 a.m. in Central Park
  Runners can start their day before work with a 5K run at 7:00 a.m. in Central Park. Special guests include Deena Kastor and Tiki Barber. Every runner will receive a pair of New Balance running shoes. The course takes runners throughout Central Park, starting on East Drive near East 85th Street and finishing at West 85th Street and West Drive. Additionally, runners will be giving back to thousands of kids by participating in the race. As part of the 20th anniversary of Rising New York Road Runners, 2,000 kids will receive a free pair of New Balance running shoes on behalf of the 2,000 runners in the race. The shoes will be distributed to students participating in Rising New York Road Runners, a free program in schools and community centers across New York City’s five boroughs and nationwide.
  
  
• Rising New York Road Runners Field Day – 10:00 a.m. at Icahn Stadium
  Nearly 2,000 youth from New York–area public schools will come together for the Rising New York Road Runners Field Day celebration at Icahn Stadium. Special guest Stephanie Bruce will join children from third to eighth grade participating in 800-meter runs, infield fitness games, and activities.
  
  
• NYRR Open Runs Held Throughout Five Boroughs – 7:00 p.m.
  NYRR Open Runs, free community-based runs, will take place in all five boroughs at 7:00 p.m. Aliphine Tuliamuk will join the Open Run at Morningside Park to inspire the runners and participants in NYRR Run for the Future, a free scholarship program that teaches 11th grade high school girls how to run.
  
  
• NYRR Virtual Global Running Day 1M – June 1-9
  Thousands of runners will participate in the NYRR Virtual Global Running Day 1M. The free one-mile race can be done anywhere and anytime between June 1 and June 9 to join in the worldwide celebrating of running. Finishers from the U.S. will be entered in an opportunity to win a round-trip flight on United Airlines plus hotel accommodations. Runners can register at NYRR Virtual Global Running Day 1M.
  
  
• Programming at the NYRR RUNCENTER – throughout the day
  The NYRR RUNCENTER, the hub of the NYC running community, will host special events and free group runs throughout the day including a Global Running Day happy hour presented by New Balance.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire 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.