New York, June 25, 2024 — As part of its long-term strategic plan to achieve Net Zero by 2040, nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR) has expanded its sustainability efforts with two new carbon offset initiatives—NYRR Team for Climate, a new entry method for marquee races, and an optional carbon offset donation option at checkout for all of its races.

New York Road Runners’ vision as a New York City–based nonprofit is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running, which includes doing its part to ensure future generations have access to clean air, green spaces, and a healthy world in which to run. New York Road Runners has proactively executed its sustainability initiatives for nearly a decade, and in 2021 set a goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040.

“As we aim to get more people running more often, we must do our part to ensure that we all have a healthy planet on which to run,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. “We are proud to become the first major marathon in the industry to launch an entry method tied to sustainability efforts, providing runners the opportunity to showcase their commitment to protecting our environment and making the TCS New York City Marathon a more sustainable event.”

NYRR Team for Climate – First of its Kind Entry Method
NYRR Team for Climate is a new entry method for NYRR’s three marquee races—the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half—in which 200 runners will raise funds to help offset NYRR’s carbon emissions, including runner travel to the three races.

The TCS New York City Marathon will become the first Abbott World Marathon Major to have a race entry method tied to its sustainability efforts, with NYRR Team for Climate runners being offered a sustainable start tent powered by solar generators and with sustainable catering and reusable branded singlets with climate stripes to raise awareness about climate change. Runners will also take the most sustainable transportation option—the Staten Island Ferry—to the start line, use a reusable checked bag, and participate in a plogging event during race week.

Registration for NYRR Team for Climate for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon will open June 26.

Additionally, runners across all NYRR’s 60 adult and youth races throughout the year will have the opportunity to offset carbon emissions by donating to NYRR’s sustainability efforts during their race registration process.

NYRR’s first-ever Carbon Credit Partner – Anew Climate
New York Road Runners is partnering with Anew, a global climate solutions leader, to use funds raised to purchase carbon credits for two improved forest management projects.

• The Hartwood Forestry Project, across 6,000-plus acres of forestland in southern New York State, supports greenhouse gas reductions through the natural growth of forestland that could otherwise be cut, resulting in both carbon removal and carbon avoidance credits. The project will improve wildlife habitats, protect water quality of streams, and enhance forest recreation and education. 
  
  
• The Eagle Mountain Forestry Project comprises 6,000-plus acres of forestland – used as wilderness preserves – spanning New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. The project will also achieve greenhouse gas reductions through the natural growth of forestland that would otherwise be cut, resulting in both carbon removal and carbon avoidance credits. The project’s sanctuaries are open for low-impact recreation, such as sightseeing, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. NYRR will encourage local members to visit the preserves to enjoy hikes and trail runs. 

NYRR’s Sustainability Efforts
Throughout the year, NYRR works in parallel with vendors and city agency partners to be eco-friendly and divert waste, aiming to leave New York City’s streets and parks cleaner than they were found.

Highlights of NYRR’s additional sustainability efforts include:

• Utilizing single-stream recycling; leftover medals and heat sheets are reused or recycled.
• Leftover pre-race, course and post-finish food and beverage items are collected and donated to City Harvest, New York City’s first and largest food rescue organization.  
• Donating extra race premiums, including T-shirts and hats, to several local organizations that support young athletes in underserved communities.  
• Event staff and volunteers are provided eco-friendly ponchos that are recyclable and made from sugarcane from Green Gear Supply, a women and minority-owned business.  
• Race finisher medals are made from 100% recycled steel and PET ribbon.
• Utilizing two portable electric generators for use at NYRR events.
• Three plogging events per year for the public to pick up trash while they’re out on a jog; plogging is a combination of “jogging” and “plocka upp,” the Swedish term for “picking up.”  

New York Road Runners encourages all runners to practice sustainable behaviors year-round at its races, including bringing their own clear reusable bags, taking public transportation when possible, utilizing reusable water bottles, air drying their clothing, donating their old shoes, and disposing of gel wrappers following their runs.  

*New York Road Runners acknowledges offsetting alone will not tackle climate change and can only be credible while also avoiding, reducing, and substituting emissions. New York Road Runners follows the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Code of Practice by purchasing carbon offsets only while:

• Measuring our greenhouse gas emissions inventory
• Working toward our Net Zero by 2040 goal
• Fulfilling our reduction efforts: Transitioning to electric vehicles and generators at our events, and Energy Star appliances at our facilities 

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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 nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its 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 more than 50,000 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.