“As part of NYRR’s commitment to the next generation of runners, we are excited to provide free youth running opportunities for all kids participating in NYRR youth running events, alongside the free youth running programs we’ve provided in schools and community centers nationwide for more than a decade” said Michael Capiraso, CEO and president of New York Road Runners. “Making running accessible to an ever-increasing population of NYC youth of all ages and abilities is crucial, and we are excited to support even more kids in this new school year, including through our new youth wheelchair training program.”

Since 2004, the NYRR Mighty Milers and Young Runners youth running programs have been free to children in schools and community centers in NYC and across the country. NYRR Mighty Milers is NYRR’s flagship youth running program, and one of the largest free youth running programs in the U.S. This program provides primarily pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students the opportunity to run during the school day and develop a love for physical fitness. Each Mighty Miler strives to run a total of 26.2-miles or more over the course of a school year, in effect running their own marathon of miles. At the close of the 2015-2016 school year, NYRR Mighty Milers reached more than 188,000 students in approximately 900 schools and community centers who collectively ran nearly six million miles over the school year.

NYRR Young Runners is an after-school program where kids learn to run distances up to four miles while training together as a team. At the close of the 2015-2016 school year, more than 3,000 students in more than 100 schools throughout New York City’s five boroughs participated in this distance running program.

NYRR, in partnership with the DOE Office of School Wellness, continues to deepen its commitment to youth running by expanding its school-based youth running programs to more schools, community centers, and after-school programs than ever before. During the 2016-2017 school year, NYRR is projecting to serve 250,000 youth nationally, including 135,000 in New York City’s five boroughs, through free NYRR youth running programs and events. Coaches and teachers who would like to bring free youth programming to their school can email youthprograms.outreach@nyrr.org to learn more and apply. Click here to hear the stories of current NYRR youth program leaders and teachers.

“It’s important that we encourage students to stay active and make healthy choices,” said Lindsey Harr, Executive Director, Office of School Wellness Programs at NYC Department of Education. “Physical activity is critical to a child’s development, both in and out of the classroom, and through this partnership with New York Road Runners, students will have the opportunity to challenge themselves in a variety of running and walking programs and become motivated to develop healthy habits that will serve them well throughout their entire lives.”

NYRR Mighty Milers and Young Runners will continue to be offered at no cost to schools and families, and beginning September 18, all NYRR youth running events will be free. The first, free public youth running event of the school year will be the kids’ Kurt Steiner Cross Country on September 18 in the Bronx. This race is the first event of the 2016 fall NYRR Youth Running Series. The NYRR Youth Running Series includes cross country and road running events run at kid-friendly distances. In addition to the NYRR Youth Running Series, free weekly kids’ races for ages 2-12 will be offered beginning September 18. Also, at the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile on September 25, there will be free youth activities for kids of all ages as part of the Youth Field Day at the event.

The first-ever and free youth wheelchair training program will launch on September 10, in Manhattan. NYRR is inviting youth ages 7-21 with physical disabilities to learn the sport of wheelchair racing, including teaching them the fundamentals of using a racing wheelchair and giving them an opportunity to try it out. Candidates include those who need to use manual wheelchairs full-time and those who may use a walker or crutches for short distances but a wheelchair for longer distances. More information on the program is available here for parents interested in having their children join this free program, or for schools, facilities, or organizations interested in bringing in a wheelchair racing clinic.

NYRR supports free community programming for people of all ages—from kids to seniors—designed to get them moving toward a healthier lifestyle, including NYRR Open Runs, a community-based initiative that brings free weekly runs and walks to local neighborhood parks in New York City, NYRR Striders, a free, weekly walking program for older runners, high school training programs, group training sessions, and more. It was an exciting summer season for NYRR youth runners, with thousands of students logging miles at summer camps in New York City’s five boroughs, and nearly 100 high school students—both new and seasoned runners—participating in intensive summer training programs.

NYRR has a long-standing partnership with the Armory Foundation and sponsors events year-round at the Armory in support of the 100,000 kids it serves annually. Additionally, through the partnership, NYRR hosts events at the Armory like the NYRR Youth Jamborees presented by Tata Consultancy Services, and other annual youth running events.

NYRR Mighty Milers, NYRR Young Runners, NYRR Open Run and a number of NYRR youth and community running programs, events, and resources are supported by NYRR’s Premier Partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon, and Official Youth and Community Services Partner. TCS’ year-round support helps benefit the more than 215,000 youth currently served nationally through free NYRR youth running programs and events.

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 running 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, 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 nyrr.org.