AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 25, 2026
Thousands Participate in Kids Kickoff Event Citywide
Nearly 5,000 young runners took part in the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff, a citywide youth running event held across all five boroughs. Organized by the New York Road Runners, this event served as a prelude to next week's 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, drawing participants aged 2 to 18 from a variety of backgrounds and abilities.
Expansion for the Marathon’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
This year marked a special milestone as the Kids Kickoff expanded to all five boroughs over two days, highlighting a yearlong marathon celebration for the 50th anniversary of the original 5-boro New York City Marathon. Organizers reported the number of participants doubled compared to 2025, reflecting growing enthusiasm for youth running and community fitness across the city.
Central Park Race Sees Thousands of Enthusiastic Runners
Approximately 3,000 children participated in the Central Park segment of the event on Sunday. The Stage 3 race began on West Drive just south of West 67th Street and concluded on Center Drive south of Terrace Drive. These races provided an opportunity for children to experience a professional marathon atmosphere in the heart of New York City.
Community and Family Activities Enhance the Experience
All Kids Kickoff participants received a medal and a commemorative New Balance T-shirt. The event offered additional festival-style activities for families, including an obstacle course, face painting, and photo opportunities. Dunkin' provided refreshments at the Central Park event, while TCS hosted an activation encouraging runners to create personal mantras supporting growth mindsets, both on the race course and in daily life.
Youth Running Programs Reach Thousands
Many young participants belong to the Rising New York Road Runners program, operated by New York Road Runners. This program serves nearly 200,000 students nationwide, with about 100,000 in New York City alone. The nonprofit organization hosts 20 free youth running events throughout the year, aiming to build confidence and encourage healthy activity among children and teenagers.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon
The Kids Kickoff sets the stage for the main event: the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, November 1. New York Road Runners describes the upcoming marathon as the “best day of the year” in the “best city in the world.” Marathon coverage begins with a pre-race show at 7:00 a.m., with live coverage starting at 8:00 a.m. on Channel 7 and ESPN2, as well as streaming on ABC 7 New York.
Source: abc7ny.com.
