FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York Road Runners Marks 60th Anniversary
with Release of 2018 Impact Report
NYRR continues to elevate the sport of running by serving 600,000 people
worldwide and providing free running programs for 250,000 children
The report can be found here.
New York, September 19, 2018 - Today, New York Road Runners (NYRR) released
its annual Impact Report for Fiscal Year 2018 (April 2017-March 2018),
which illustrates the organization's commitment to make fitness and the
sport of running accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Titled We Run. We Rise., NYRR's latest impact report highlights the
nonprofit's commitment to elevating the communities it serves with free and
accessible community fitness programs and world-class running events. From
its origins as a 40-person running club in the Bronx's Macombs Dam Park,
NYRR has become the world's premier community running organization.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, NYRR annually serves nearly
600,000 runners of all ages and abilities from around the world.
"New York Road Runners' mission is to help and inspire people through
running, and that statement drives everything we do as an organization,"
said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of NYRR. "Through our work, I have
truly witnessed the transformative power of running. Whether running
alongside the more than 50,000 runners who take part in the TCS New York
City Marathon or visiting a group of Rising New York Road Runners for their
weekly practice, I see clearly that running can have a deeper impact on all
of us."
Since 1999 NYRR has provided free running programs to youth across New York
City's five boroughs and nationwide. Today, NYRR annually serves nearly
250,000 youth, primarily through Rising New York Road Runners, its flagship
youth program and events platform. Launched in the 2017 - 18 school year,
Rising New York Road Runners provides free, high-quality, innovative
programming designed to motivate all kids to get running and stay healthy
and active for life.
During the program's first year, kids from 48 states plus Washington, DC
logged more than four million hours of activity, which equates to
approximately 18.5 million miles run. Additionally, more than 7,000 pairs
of brand-new running shoes were distributed to program participants through
1 for You 1 for Youth, a joint initiative by NYRR and New Balance designed
to give all kids access to the footwear they need to get moving. For every
pair of shoes sold at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub, New
Balance Donates a pair to NYRR's youth programs.*
NYRR's commitment to making running more accessible to community members
across New York City's five boroughs does not end with the young Rising New
York Road Runners participants. In 2017, more than 15,000 runners took part
in NYRR Open Run, a volunteer-led initiative that brings free weekly runs
and walks to New York City neighborhood parks in need of programming.
NYRR's focus on creating a happier and healthier community has no age
limit, and the organization offers free, weekly walking sessions through
NYRR Striders. Taking place in senior centers, community facilities and
neighborhood parks across New York City, sessions include coach led walks,
stretches and drills, and discussions on nutrition and healthy living. Last
year more than 2,000 people ranging in age from 50 to 105 took part in NYRR
Striders.
"New York Road Runners strives to give people everywhere a reason to run,"
said Peter Ciaccia, president of events at NYRR and race director of the
TCS New York City Marathon. "The foundation of New York Road Runners is its
events, and we are committed to delivering the best possible experience to
runners, fans, and communities alike. Last year we were joined by runners
from around the world at the 50-plus events we produce across New York
City's five boroughs, including our crown jewel event, the TCS New York
City Marathon. The more than 50,000 finishers of last year's marathon are a
true representation of the diverse running community we serve."
On November 5, 2017, the international community of marathoners once again
embodied the spirit of New York City, from Shalane Flanagan, the first
American woman to win the women's open division in 40 years, to the final
finishers to cross the historic finish line in Central Park. The field of
more than 50,000 runners, once again making up the world's largest
marathon, represented 139 countries and all 50 states, plus Washington, DC
and Puerto Rico.
We Run. We Rise. also highlights the new and innovative products and
services NYRR introduced over the past year to elevate the vast online
community of runners around the world. With the introduction of NYRR
Virtual Racing Powered by Strava, NYRR is now able to connect with runners
from across the globe more frequently and support them on every step of
their journeys. Motivated by the opportunity to set and achieve goals as
part of the online running community, more than 8,500 people have entered
an NYRR Virtual Racing event, with proceeds directly benefiting NYRR's free
youth and community programs.
With 60 years under its belt, NYRR has solidified its status as an
organization and community of trailblazers within the sport of running.
From the introduction of the first-ever all-women's road race in 1972, to
the establishment of the Rising New York Road Runners Wheelchair Training
Program in 2016, the organization is continually looking for new ways to
elevate the communities it serves and plans to continue this commitment as
it moves forward to the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon on November 4 and
beyond.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people
through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local
running club to the world's premier community running organization. NYRR's
commitment to New York City's five boroughs features races, community
events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR
RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that
provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to
seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life.
NYRR's premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New
York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race
features 50,000 runners, from the world's top professional athletes to a
vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn
more, visit www.nyrr.org.
*In 2018, for every pair of shoes sold to a customer at the NYRR RUNCENTER,
New Balance and NYRR shall donate a pair of shoes to a New York Road
Runners supported youth program, up to a maximum cost of $300,000. For
more information about New York Road Runners visit www.nyrr.org.
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