Celebrating an Iconic Race, Equal Opportunities for Women and Girls, LGBTQIA Pride, and More
June is always a busy month for NYRR, and this June is extra special. In addition to our annual recognition of Pride Month and the running of the Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run, we are also hosting the 50th running of the Mastercard New York Mini 10K and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the federal legislation that paved the way for equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.
Inclusivity has been a cornerstone of NYRR’s mission throughout our 64-year history. Here's a look at all we are celebrating, with you, this month. Be sure to sign up to join us!
Highlights
June 11 – 50th Running of the Mastercard New York Mini 10K
The world’s original women-only road race, the Mini, pictured at top, turns 50 this year. Founded in 1972 and named after a symbol of women’s liberation, the miniskirt, this 10K race empowers women of all ages and fitness levels. This year’s race features an incredible elite field plus thousands of other women of all ages and fitness levels empowered to come together, be active, and accomplish a running milestone.
June 23 – 50th Anniversary of the Passage of Title IX
Title IX, passed on June 23, 1972, is the federal civil rights law that gave women and girls the right to equal opportunity in sports in educational institutions that receive federal funds, from elementary schools to colleges and universities. During Women’s History Month this past March, we celebrated Title IX’s impact. Stay tuned this month for more celebrations of the inclusiveness brought by Title IX.
June 25 – Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run
The first Pride Run, held in Central Park in 1982, was a landmark race and marked the start of an enduring collaboration among Front Runners New York, New York Road Runners, and the City of New York. The race continues to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride and the ongoing movement toward equality, diversity, and inclusiveness.
Also This Month
June 1 – Global Running Day
On Global Running Day we celebrate running for everyone and encourage all people to stay active and healthy. Lace up and move on June 1, wherever you are in the world! You can join the free Virtual NYRR Global Running Day 5K Powered by Strava by running or walking 3.1 miles anywhere as the running community comes together between May 28 and June 5.
June 3 – Fred Lebow’s Birthday
The late NYRR president and New York City Marathon co-founder Fred Lebow expanded the reach of running by making our races and events, especially the marathon, bigger and more far-reaching than they’d ever been. We celebrate Lebow, a Holocaust survivor who died of cancer in 1994, on his birthday and throughout the year.
June 4 – NYRR’s Anniversary
NYRR was founded on June 4, 1958 by runners who believed running is for everyone, in a time when many running clubs were segregated by race or religious affiliation and closed to women. Our founding president, Ted Corbitt, was the first Black Olympic marathoner (Helsinki, 1952) and he and other founding members competed for the New York Pioneer Club, an integrated running organization that grew out of the civil rights movement in Harlem.
June 8 – Registration Opens for Virtual TCS New York City Marathon
Starting June 8, runners anywhere in the world can sign up to run the 2022 Virtual TCS New York City Marathon from October 23 to November 6, with a free tier and two paid tiers available. Freed from geographical limits, runners from around the globe can all take part in the same race in new and exciting ways with NYRR Virtual Racing Powered by Strava.
June 18 – NYRR Queens 10K
The Queens 10K, returning for the first time since 2019, is part of the NYRR Five-Borough Series, which showcases our commitment to individuals and communities in each borough and is a celebration of what makes each borough unique and inspiring.
June 19 – Father's Day
Father’s Day celebrates fatherhood and paternal bonds, and at NYRR we give a shout-out to dads everywhere. Check out our blog post from 2021 celebrating Rising New York Road Runners Ambassador Lily and her two dads and what running means to their family.
June 19 – Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a nationally celebrated commemoration of the end to slavery in the U.S., taking place annually on June 19. At NYRR, our staff is observing Juneteenth as a holiday from work on Monday, June 20 and an opportunity to take time to celebrate, reflect, and commemorate the day.
June 26 – Achilles Hope & Possibility 4M Presented by TD Bank
The 20th anniversary of this race celebrates disability inclusion and supports Achilles International's mission to break down barriers and empower athletes with disabilities. The race leads into July's Disability Pride Month and the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
June 27 – NYRR Open Run Anniversary
Open Run is free, weekly community-led fun runs and walks in neighborhood parks across all five boroughs and the greater New York City area. Open Run is open to runners and walkers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels. The first Open Run took place June 27, 2015 at St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx.