NYRR Team for Climate
New York Road Runners (NYRR) is a New York City-based nonprofit with the aim of building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running, which includes doing our part to ensure future generations have access to clean air, green spaces, and a healthy world in which to be active.
At NYRR, we aim to embed sustainability into everything we do, from hosting events to maintaining our facilities and giving back to the community. NYRR is committed to minimizing our impact across all sustainability areas throughout the organization. Throughout the year, we work with our vendors and city agency partners to be eco-friendly and divert waste, aiming to leave New York City’s streets and parks cleaner than we found them.
New York Road Runners has carried out our sustainability initiatives for nearly a decade, and in 2021 set a goal of achieving Net Zero by 2040. Our goals and targets are centered around supporting the diverse communities we serve, focusing on emissions, circularity, water, and transparency.
In 2024, NYRR made history as the first major marathon to introduce a guaranteed race entry method that supports sustainability initiatives, by offering runners the opportunity to join NYRR’s Team for Climate and fundraise to offset or reduce carbon emissions to help contribute to NYRR’s sustainability journey. Read more about the program’s historic inaugural year here.
About the Program
NYRR has partnered with Anew Climate, a global climate solutions leader, and committed to use a portion of the funds raised by NYRR Team for Climate to purchase verified carbon credits for improved forest management projects, a practice known as carbon offsetting. NYRR has also committed to using a portion of the funds raised by NYRR Team for Climate for projects within NYRR that reduce the total emissions generated within NYRR’s events and operations, a practice known as carbon insetting. Our aim is to balance the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted, while taking steps to stop emissions from increasing, to deliver a more environmentally friendly racing experience for all our runners.
The Climate Stripes Design
New York Road Runners features the Climate Stripes design as part of its NYRR Team for Climate program to visually highlight the urgency of climate change and thereby amplify the program’s impact.
Each stripe represents the average temperature for a single year, relative to the average temperature over the period from 1961 to 2010. Shades of blue indicate cooler-than average years, while red shows years that were hotter than average. The stark band of deep red stripes on the right-hand side of the graphic shows the rapid heating of our planet in recent decades.
The Climate Stripes graphic was created by Ed Hawkins at the University of Reading #ShowYourStripes. For more information, please visit showyourstripes.info.
How to Join in 2026
Fundraising with NYRR Team for Climate will be available at the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half, the 2026 RBC Brooklyn Half, and then 2026 TCS New York City Marathon.
| Race | Registration Date | Fundraising Minimum | Sign Up Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Airlines NYC Half |
FULL CAPACITY | $1,500 | $50 |
| RBC Brooklyn Half Stay tuned for registration details! |
COMING SOON | $850 | $28 |
| TCS New York City Marathon Stay tuned for registration details! |
COMING SOON | $3,000 | $150 |
All fundraising will occur through the NYRR Team for Climate fundraising page.
Sign-up fees go toward covering administrative costs, such as the various perks associated with the program.
For questions about the program, please contact us anytime at nyrrteamforclimate@nyrr.org.
Highlights from the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon
NYRR Team for Climate continued to see success in its second year, surpassing its fundraising goal, raising nearly $650,000 and offsetting the entire footprint of the event (based on 2023 calculations).
In a continued partnership with Anew Climate, a global climate solutions leader, NYRR used a portion of the funds raised to purchase verified carbon credits for four improved forest management projects, the Empire Riverlands Project, the Hartwood Forestry Project, the 100-Mile Wilderness Project, and the Eagle Mountain Forestry Project in both carbon removal and forest conservation credits. Together, these projects protect more than 70,000 acres of forestland across the northeastern United States. Each project generates measurable greenhouse gas reductions through the preservation and natural growth of forests, preventing future logging and destruction. Beyond carbon removal and conservation efforts, these lands safeguard habitats for wildlife, protect water quality, and provide opportunities for public recreation such as hiking, skiing, and trail running.
Special guests of the program included:
- Tina Muir, former elite marathoner, bestselling author, and climate activist
- Fiona O’Keeffe, Olympic Trials champion and 2025 TCS New York City Marathon American course record breaker
- Tanya Ravichandran, slow fashion designer and member of NYRR Team Inspire
Fundraisers also received many perks, including:
- Complimentary access to a virtual training plan with NYRR x Runna, an Official Training Platform of NYRR
- Meet and greet with fellow NYRR Team for Climate runners at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub
- Early access to the TCS New York City Marathon plogging event from the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub
- Official NYRR Team for Climate bib pickup desk at the TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance
- Sustainability themed race-day items
- Reserved spot on the Staten Island Ferry sustainable transportation option
- Sustainability-focused NYRR Team for Climate tent in the Start Village
- NYRR Team for Climate exclusive corral in Wave 2
New this year, in an effort to reduce plastic waste, all NYRR Team for Climate runners were opted out of race-day baggage. Additionally, in an effort to reduce textile waste, runners were encouraged to bring at least one used pair of shoes to donate at the Expo when they pick up their race- day materials to be recycled with Sneaker Impact. Upon registration, runners were also given an option to opt out of receiving the official race shirt.
Read about it and other race-day sustainability initiatives from Tina Muir here.
Testimonials
“It was simply an amazing and rewarding experience. It changed my life. I have a newfound passion to fundraise for climate initiatives and I feel very well informed by the resources TFC provided the team during our fundraising efforts. I want to do another marathon, fundraising for the climate, and it is because of this experience! In the TFC tent before the race I made a friend with a fellow team mate, and at the starting line we hugged each other and wished each other well. It was so inspiring how deeply connected you can feel to other runners in such a short amount of time.”
- 2025 TCS New York City Marathon NYRR Team for Climate runner
FAQs
Do I have to be a member of New York Road Runners to join NYRR Team for Climate?
No, NYRR membership is not required.
Can I fundraise for NYRR Team for Climate if I already have been accepted into one of the three NYRR Marquee races where this program exists (the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half, the 2026 RBC Brooklyn Half, and the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon)?
No, NYRR Team for Climate is not open to athletes who have already been accepted to the races through another entry method. If you would like to get involved, you may donate to NYRR Team for Climate or to a specific NYRR Team for Climate runner through our fundraising platform.
Who benefits from NYRR Team for Climate fundraising?
NYRR has committed to use a portion of the funds raised by NYRR Team for Climate to purchase verified carbon credits for improved forest management projects, a practice known as carbon offsetting. NYRR has also committed to using a portion of the funds raised by NYRR Team for Climate towards projects within NYRR that reduce the total emissions generated at each race, a practice known as carbon insetting. Our aim is to balance the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted, while taking steps to stop emissions from increasing, to deliver a more environmentally friendly racing experience for all our runners.