New York, June 4, 2018 – In 2018, New York Road Runners (NYRR) is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people through running, and will hold its ultimate 60th anniversary finish line celebration on Global Running Day on Wednesday, June 6, during the same week NYRR was founded in 1958.

In the sport of running, the best location or moment to celebrate is right after you’ve crossed the finish line. On Global Running Day, NYRR will set up 60 finish lines to celebrate its 60 years, with finish lines in parks, schools, and iconic locations around New York City and others being remote finish lines tied to people around the world who have played a role in NYRR’s history.

“We are thrilled to honor our rich 60 years of history at New York Road Runners on June 6 by giving people of all ages and abilities around New York City and the world a moment to celebrate as they cross their own finish lines,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO of New York Road Runners. “The day is about making running fun and encouraging people to live active lifestyles, and to inspire kids to embrace running as a way to get healthy and fit. By bringing to life key locations and iconic figures from NYRR’s history, we’ll be able to pass on that inspiration to the next generation.”

Finish line structures will be held at Hydration Stations in all five New York City boroughs, where runners can take the Global Day Running pledge, grab some fluids and chat with NYRR staff and fellow runners. Additional finish lines will be held at NYRR Open Runs, which are a community-based, volunteer-led initiative that offer free runs and walks in community parks across New York City’s five boroughs on a weekly basis year-round. The NYRR RUNCENTER in Manhattan and Rising New York Road Runners Field Day at Icahn Stadium will also be part of the 60 finish line locations.

The 60 locations will also include pop-up finish lines in iconic New York City locations such as Times Square where the United Airlines NYC Half passes through, 30 Rock where the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials passed by, and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal where runners make their journey to the TCS New York City Marathon start line every year.

“In our sport, the best location or moment to celebrate is right after you’ve crossed the finish line, and from the first to final finisher, I love sharing in that celebration with our runners after every race,” said Peter Ciaccia, president of events for NYRR and race director of the TCS New York City Marathon. “Together with those who have helped craft our history – from Meb and Tatyana to Kathrine and Paula – New York Road Runners is excited to celebrate Global Running Day and our history by crossing finish lines around New York City’s five boroughs and the world.”

The 2009 New York City Marathon champion, Meb Keflezighi, and five-time New York City Marathon champion Tatyana McFadden – both NYRR Team for Kids Ambassadors – will join 1974 New York City Marathon champion Kathrine Switzer in an out-and-back one mile virtual race in Central Park starting and ending at the same location as the TCS New York City Marathon finish line. The first-ever free virtual race celebrating Global Running Day lets people run one mile anywhere in the world between June 4 and June 10.

All four defending TCS New York City Marathon champions – Geoffrey Kamworor, Shalane Flanagan, Manuela Schar, and Marcel Hug – will be part of the anniversary celebration, as well as other professional athletes who have run with NYRR, including six-time Fifth Avenue Mile champion Jenny Simpson, 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden, and three-time New York City Marathon champion Mary Keitany.

Celebrity runners, including former NFL player Tiki Barber and chef and global restaurateur Daniel Humm, along with NYRR legends such as Paula Radcliffe will participate, in addition to NYRR partners.

Around the world, these “break the tape” moments from runners will be shared on social media with the #GlobalRunningDay and #NYRR60Years hashtags.

Since being founded on June 4, 1958, NYRR has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, serving nearly 600,000 people of all ages and abilities—including 267,000 youth—annually through hundreds of races, community runs and walks, training sessions, and more across New York City’s five boroughs.  

In Global Running Day’s third year, the goal once again is to celebrate the sport of running and allow people everywhere to declare their passion for running. Pledging for Global Running Day and the third annual Million Kid Run on June 6 is open on the newly designed GlobalRunningDay.org. Runners of all ages and abilities can pledge to run on June 6 and add their name to the list of people from all over the world who are coming together to celebrate the sport on Global Running Day. Organizations around the world are currently mobilizing to plan events and, celebrations to bring people together through running on this day.

Last year, more than 1.2 million people from 187 countries pledged to run 8.2 million miles on Global Running Day. Running organizations and groups, individuals, school administrators, coaches, and parents can visit GlobalRunningDay.org to pledge, explore group runs and other events happening around the world, and find information on running activities for people of all ages and abilities. New this year globally, there is a “Build Your Team” module, allowing organizations, groups, and families to create their own teams, set goals, and communicate with team members via the module. Those pledging to run can choose to join a group or create their own group, or can also still pledge independently. 

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.