New York Road Runners Names USA Triathlon Foundation as Official Charity Partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon
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by USA Triathlon Foundation | New York Road Runners
New York, March, 5 2026 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, has named the USA Triathlon Foundation an Official Charity Partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, taking place Sunday, Nov. 1. One of 60 adult and youth races the nonprofit produces each year, the TCS New York City Marathon is one of the most inclusive and accessible sporting events in the world, with more than 55,000 athletes running the same course on the same day—from the first to the final finisher.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic five‑borough course, first run in 1976. In honor of this milestone year, New York Road Runners is expanding its Official Charity Partner Program to include more than 670 charities—the most ever—among them the USA Triathlon Foundation, and has set a goal of raising more than $100 million. Since its inception in 2006, the Official Charity Partner Program has raised nearly $700 million for more than 1,000 nonprofits around the world by providing guaranteed entries to the TCS New York City Marathon for athletes who fundraise on their behalf. During the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, more than 14,000 charity runners raised a record $80 million for more than 600 charities, causes, and missions—a 14 percent increase from 2024. The event once again made history, breaking the world record for the largest marathon ever for a second consecutive year with 59,226 finishers.
The USA Triathlon Foundation Team at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will bring together endurance athletes from across the country united by a shared commitment to expanding access to swimming, biking, and running. As part of the Foundation’s mission to remove barriers to participation and support the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, team members will raise critical funds to fuel youth programs, grassroots development, and elite athlete pathways. In addition to receiving guaranteed entry, expert coaching, race-week hospitality, and official team gear, athletes will have exclusive team meetups and community-building activations throughout race weekend. Each runner must commit to raising $5,000 by November 1, 2026. Athletes interested in running for the USA Triathlon Foundation Team at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon can submit their interest here.
“Being named an official charity partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon for the first time in USA Triathlon Foundation history is both an honor and a powerful opportunity to expand our impact,” says Jason Rizzi, USA Triathlon Foundation Chief Development Officer. “As a native New Yorker, this moment is especially meaningful to me. This marathon represents perseverance, community, and the belief that sport can change lives. Through these charity bibs, our supporters will not only take on one of the world’s most iconic races but also help us create meaningful pathways for youth participation, access and belonging, and Olympic and Paralympic dreams. We’re excited to bring the triathlon community to the streets of New York City in a new way and inspire even more people to move, dream big, and thrive through sport.”
“New York Road Runners is honored to welcome the USA Triathlon Foundation team to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as they raise vital funds for youth participation, access and inclusion, and igniting Olympic and Paralympic dreams,” said Christine Burke, Chief Commercial Officer, New York Road Runners. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the five‑borough course, this year’s TCS New York City Marathon and our expanded Official Charity Partner Program underscore the extraordinary impact running can have in bringing people together and driving meaningful change.”
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, the best day of the year, in the best city in the world, will take athletes on a 26.2-mile journey across all five boroughs. The largest marathon in the world, the event attracts more than 55,000 athletes and two million spectators.
One week before adult runners traverse the New York City streets, 2,500 youth ages 2 to 18 will kick off race week at the marathon’s official youth race, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff, Sunday, October 25. The TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff is one of more than 20 free youth events the nonprofit hosts throughout the year.
About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the Foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants that advance the Foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire Pathways to Access and Inclusion; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams. Since the Foundation was established in 2014, it has impacted the lives of thousands by providing grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to create a healthier United States through triathlon. To learn more about the Foundation and get involved, please visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.
Initially run in 1970 as four laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time in 1976 to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the five-borough New York City Marathon course, coinciding with the nonprofit’s recent rebrand and launch of its new “Believe in Every Step” brand platform. Produced by the world's premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently the largest marathon in the world, bringing together 55,000+ participants and more than two million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.
A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 55,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.
