New York, June 2, 2014—New York Road Runners will celebrate the sixth annual National Running Day with celebratory activities across the five boroughs, including group runs and walks, water stops in parks, giveaways, and their largest youth running event of the year—the Mighty Milers Fun Run—on Wednesday, June 4, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

“Today and every day, NYRR’s mission is to inspire and help people through running,” said Wittenberg.  “From kids to seniors, from beginners to longtime runners, National Running Day empowers individuals and whole communities to embrace running as a positive social experience and spread the word about the power and benefits of running. We hope June 4 is the spark that gets people moving and running for life.”

NYRR works all year long throughout the five boroughs to provide free fitness and health programming everywhere from schools to senior centers. In celebration of National Running Day, NYRR will host the following special activities for runners of all ages and abilities: 

Manhattan

• 6:00–10:00 a.m., Breakfast Run (Upper East Side)

Runners can visit NYRR’s 9 East 89th Street location for free breakfast and the opportunity to meet and run with fellow local runners, and to get training tips from NYRR’s Coach John before or after their morning run. Lockers and restroom facilities will be available. Runners will receive a free five-borough bandanna while supplies last.

• 9:30 a.m., Mighty Milers Fun Run (Randall’s Island)

Nearly 2,000 Mighty Milers from New York City public schools throughout the five boroughs will take over Icahn Stadium in a year-end celebration of running that includes 400- and 800-meter runs, infield games, relay races, an obstacle course, and more.

• 10:00 a.m., Senior Walk (Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan)

NYRR staff will lead a free senior walk for people of all fitness levels. The group will meet at the corner of Mt. Morris Park West and 124th Street.

• 7:00 p.m., Team for Kids Happy Hour (Upper West Side) 

NYRR’s Team for Kids is hosting a National Running Day happy hour at The Parlour on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Runners will be able to meet Team for Kids runners and coaches and learn how to get guaranteed entry into the TCS New York City Marathon. There’ll be food, giveaways, contests, and a free first drink for all. Runners can RSVP here.

Brooklyn

• 7:00–10:00 a.m., Prospect Park Water Stop and Giveaways

NYRR will have a complimentary water stop along the East Drive near Grand Army Plaza. Runners can quench their thirst and customize their own National Running Day bibs and they’ll receive a free five-borough bandanna while supplies last.

• 5:00–7:00 p.m., Brooklyn Bridge Park Water Stop and Giveaways

NYRR will have a complimentary water stop along the path of Brooklyn Bridge Park near Pier 2. Runners can quench their thirst and customize their own National Running Day bibs, and they’ll receive a free five-borough bandanna while supplies last. Team Red, White and Blue leaders will be heading out for a group run from the water stop at 6:30 p.m., and all runners are invited to join them.

• 7:00–9:30 p.m., Singlets Mixer Happy Hour

Runners interested in joining a local running club can join NYRR staffers and local runners at Fornino on Pier 6 for the annual NYRR Singlets Mixer. There are more than 100 clubs to run with in New York City, and runners can find one that suits them here. There will be refreshments and giveaways starting at 7:00 p.m. Runners can RSVP here.

Queens

• 7:30–9:30 a.m., Astoria Park Giveaways

Runners can start their day with an energizing run in Astoria Park. By the track entrance, they’ll receive a free five-borough bandanna while supplies last.

Staten Island

• 6:00–7:30 p.m. Clove Lakes Park Water Stop and Giveaways

NYRR will have a complimentary water stop just inside the Park off Clove Road and Cheshire. Runners can quench their thirst and customize their own National Running Day bibs, and they’ll receive a free five-borough bandanna while supplies last. After work, runners can join Staten Island Athletic Club members for a post-work run that ends at Pepper Jack Grill for an 8:00 p.m. happy hour where they can mix and mingle with fellow local runners.

Bronx

• 5:00–7:00 p.m., Van Cortlandt Park Giveaways and Group Run

At 6:00 pm, Van Cortlandt Track Club leaders will be heading out for a group run from the Tortoise and Hare statue, and all runners are invited to join them. Beginning at 5:00 p.m., they’ll receive a free five-borough bandanna from the same location while supplies last.

Online

• 12:00 p.m., Facebook Live Chat

NYRR coaches John and Stuart will be available to answer any running etiquette question, including about headphones, corral jumpers, and even snot rockets.

3:00 p.m., Twitter Chat

@runnersworld and @nyrr are co-hosting a fun and lively #runningdaychat. Runner’s World Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso and NYRR Coach John will be asking questions and looking for answers!

Socialize with NYRR all day long!

Runners are encouraged to share their #runningday pics, including the hashtags of the borough(s) they’re running in. Go #brooklyn, #bronx, #manhattan, #queens, and #statenisland runners!

About National Running Day

National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime of life-changing commitment. National Running Day is a collaborative effort of the foremost running organizations in the United States, including the Atlanta Track Club, the Boston Athletic Association, the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Chicago Area Runners Association, Competitor Group, Inc., the Little Rock Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, New York Road Runners, the Oregon Track Club, Running USA, the Twin Cities In Motion, and USA Track & Field.

About NYRR

Founded in 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running.  NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth initiatives, school programs, 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, the TCS New York City Marathon, features an estimated 47,500 to 50,000 participants, from the world’s elite athletes to a wide range of recreational and charity runners, and is part of the World Marathon Majors, an alliance of the world’s six biggest marathons that determines each year’s top male and top female marathoner. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.

About National Running Day

National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime of life-changing commitment. National Running Day is a collaborative effort of the foremost running organizations in the United States, including the Atlanta Track Club, the Boston Athletic Association, the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Chicago Area Runners Association, Competitor Group, Inc., the Little Rock Marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon, New York Road Runners, the Oregon Track Club, Running USA, the Twin Cities In Motion, and USA Track & Field.

About NYRR

Founded in 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, whose mission is to help and inspire people through running.  NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth initiatives, school programs, 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, the TCS New York City Marathon, features an estimated 47,500 to 50,000 participants, from the world’s elite athletes to a wide range of recreational and charity runners, and is part of the World Marathon Majors, an alliance of the world’s six biggest marathons that determines each year’s top male and top female marathoner. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.