2024: A Year of Unprecedented Impact for NYRR

This year, New York Road Runners reimagined our vision as a New York City–based nonprofit committed to building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.

As the year draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on all the ways we’re working toward our mission to transform the health and well-being of communities through inclusive and accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential.

We also say a huge “Thank you!” to everyone in our community—runners, staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters—who make possible all that we do.

Our Reimagined Vision and Mission

Read about our reimagined vision and mission, and view our Fiscal Year 2024 Impact Report, where we share the many ways our offerings serve runners of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Leading the Way

All over the world, running is more popular than ever before.

Here in New York City, NYRR engaged hundreds of thousands of people at in-person adult and youth events and programs, experiencing unprecedented demand. Most of our races reached capacity in record time, and our free programs served more people of all ages and abilities than ever before. Learn more about our programs at the links below.

Rising New York Road Runners, our flagship youth programs and events platform, and other youth programs including Rising NYRR Wheelchair Training, Rising NYRR Youth Ambassadors, and NYRR Run for the Future.

Open Run, our free weekly running and walking program in neighborhood parks.

Striders, a free exercise and wellness program for older adults.

Race Free, a race-fee assistance program for New Yorkers.

Elevating Mental Well-Being

The NYRR Mindful 5K kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, this event was a celebration of running’s profound impact on mental well-being.

Throughout the month we led and partnered on free events and resources for NYC communities, providing opportunities and inspiration to positively impact mental well-being through physical fitness. Visit our Mental Well-Being page for resources.

The start area of the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon featured a dedicated Quiet Space for runners, including those with sensory sensitivities; and a Zen Zone, a tranquil area for meditation and mindfulness featuring live sessions, self-guided audio recordings, and staff from the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City (NAMI-NYC) providing mental health resources and support.

Largest-Ever Charity Impact

In Fiscal Year 2024, more than 500 NYRR official charity partners raised a record $68.1 million, including $9.6 million for NYRR Team for Kids.

More Members Than Ever

Our membership reached the most ever. New membership initiatives launched this year included access to sold-out races via the new Member-Only Standby List, and access to the Member-Only Second-Chance Drawing to increase the chance to get into the TCS New York City Marathon and other in-person marquee races.

Our NYRR Grete's Great Gallop 10K was a members-only race and the culmination of our fist-ever Member Week.

Expanded Inclusivity Initiatives

As part of our ongoing commitment to increase inclusivity and representation we expanded our diversity and inclusion efforts, continuing to allow all individuals to request reasonable accommodations or to inquire about accessibility for attending our programs and events.

We also expanded NYRR Contributors Circle to elevate under-represented voices in our communications, and extended our Race Free program, providing complimentary race entries to those who qualify financially.

Stellar Pro Fields at Our Races

In an Olympic and Paralympic year, our major races welcomed stellar international fields and saw amazing competition and record-setting wins. Olympians and Paralympians took part in the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, Mastercard New York Mini 10K, New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, and Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K.

Largest-Ever Marathon

The 2024 TCS New York City Marathon had 55,646 finishers, making it the largest marathon in history. The women’s and non-binary fields were also the largest ever.

TCS New York City Marathon is the BEST DAY in New York City, bringing together people from all backgrounds and abilities through the transformative power of running.

Additional 2024 highlights and new initiatives:

• The TCS New York City Marathon App Powered by Tata Consultancy Services offered a second-screen experience to complement the race broadcast, an interactive spectator guide and live tracking, and more.
• Introduced innovative training offerings including NYRR x Runna, a collaboration with the top rated running training app, and NYRR Unlock 26.2 x New Balance to help runners achieve their goals no matter their running experience or where they are in the world.
• The second-annual Rising NYRR Kids Kickoff, held on October 27, brought nearly 1,000 kids of all ages and abilities to Central Park for a free, fun event to kick off race week.
• Our Night of Champions premier cocktail benefit raised over $1.1 million to support our free community impact programs and events.Five-time Olympic medalist Gabby Thomas served as the race's Grand Marshal.
• The Citizens Stage at the TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance saw record attendance.
• Victory Lap: The Official TCS New York City Marathon After-Party brought together thousands of marathoners and their friends and families in a celebration at Terminal 5.
• Beyond the Finish Line offered cultural events and opportunities throughout race week and beyond.

Expanded Commitment to Sustainability

We extended our commitment to sustainability and achieving Net Zero by 2040 by creating NYRR Team for Climate, providing runners the opportunity to run, fundraise, and showcase their commitment to protecting our environment. Team for Climate debuted at the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon and will be a part of the marathon and other marquee races in 2025.

We also held plogging runs (picking up trash while jogging) on the weekends of the TCS New York City Marathon and other races.

Learn more about NYRR sustainability efforts at the marathon and throughout the year.