New York Road Runners hosted TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff events in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island as part of the lead-up to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 1.
The nonprofit organization expanded the youth event across all five boroughs for the first time, staging five events over two days as part of a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the original five-borough New York City Marathon course.
Events at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6, St. Mary's Park, Astoria Park and Ocean Breeze Park were expected to draw 2,000 children participating in races, dashes and family-friendly activities.
The festivities are scheduled to continue Sunday, with 3,000 children anticipated in Central Park alone.
According to New York Road Runners, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff is the organization's premier and largest youth event. The program features nearly 5,000 youth athletes of all abilities, ranging in age from 2 to 18.
The events are being held one week before 60,000 athletes are expected to compete in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Nov. 1. New York Road Runners described race day as the "best day of the year" in the "best city in the world."