New York, June 17, 2025 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, today announced plans to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its NYRR Open Run program that brings free weekly runs and walks to 16 neighborhood parks across New York City and Jersey City. Since 2015, the nonprofit’s community-based initiative has drawn nearly 100,000 community participants and volunteers.

“For the past 10 years, NYRR Open Run has built community and connection through the simple yet powerful act of running with neighbors in local parks,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO, New York Road Runners. “What started as a small group of runners at St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx has grown into a citywide movement with thousands of people united by the transformative power of running, and we look forward to the next decade of fitness and friendship.”

In June 2015 New York Road Runners launched NYRR Open Run with one location in the Bronx at St. Mary’s Park. Since then, the program has exponentially grown to include 16 parks in all five boroughs and Jersey City. To date, community leaders and volunteers have hosted more than 5,500 Open Runs, offering free opportunities to run and walk various distances. The program fosters an inclusive environment where all ages, abilities, and speeds of running and walking are welcome. Over the past decade, Open Run has grown in scope and impact, drawing thousands of participants in 2024, a remarkable jump from the 100 who took part in the program’s inaugural year.

To kick off the 10-year anniversary festivities, New York Road Runners will host community members of all ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds for a special Open Run at St. Mary’s Park, Saturday, June 21. The free celebration will include a 2.75-mile run and walk, fun games and activities for kids, raffles and giveaways, and unique photo opportunities. Throughout the year, additional NYRR Open Run parks will host anniversary celebrations:

• NYRR Open Run at Astoria Park, Queens, Saturday, July 26, 9:00 a.m.
• NYRR Open Run at Conference House Park, Staten Island, Sunday, July 27, 9:00 a.m.
• NYRR Open Run at Marine Park, Brooklyn, Sunday, August 17, 9:00 a.m.
• NYRR Open Run at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, Tuesday, October 14, 7:00 p.m.

Among the thousands of Open Runners are several inspiring athletes whose lives have been transformed through running and the program:

• Kandi Ottmar Hall of Soundview Park, the Bronx: A regular participant at Soundview Park since 2017, Kandi is now an Open Run Volunteer Captain, dedicating her time every weekend to providing a fun, welcoming, and engaging environment for the Open Run community.
• Janelle Hartman of Astoria Park, Queens: Janelle has been with Open Run since the beginning, volunteering at the first-ever St. Mary’s Park Open Run. She discovered running later in life and through Open Run, found people who ran at her pace, giving her confidence to cross any finish line. A committed volunteer across various parks, Janelle refers to the Open Run community as her family.
• Jaime Matamoros of Cunningham Park, Queens: An original Open Runner, the program is a family affair for Jaime, with his wife Magdalena son Adrian also participating regularly. The group has been on a health and wellness journey with Open Run and in 2024 they ran the TCS New York City Marathon together for the first time.
• Denise Munroe of Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn: In 2017, at the age of 60, Denise ran her first-ever TCS New York City Marathon after being diagnosed as pre-diabetic and losing 40 pounds through running and walking at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Open Run. She is now an Open Run volunteer at the park and hosts annual summer barbecues and holiday events.

As an extension of NYRR Open Run, New York Road Runners is introducing the NYRR Open Run New Runner Clinic at Morningside Park, aimed to support beginner runners who are looking to run their first mile. With support from NYRR coaches and local run clubs, participants in the clinic will receive practical tips and tricks and guided training before they complete the New Balance 5^th Avenue Mile, September 7. The NYRR Open Run New Runner Clinic is free and takes place at the Morningside Park Open Run location on Saturdays June 14, June 28, July 26, August 16, and August 30 at 8:45 a.m.

New York Road Runners currently hosts weekly Open Runs of various distances at parks across the five boroughs and in Jersey City:

The Bronx

• Soundview Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 2.5 miles
• St. Mary’s Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 2.75 miles

  Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Bridge Park, Tuesdays, 7:00 p.m., 3.1 miles
• Canarsie Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 3 miles
• Highland Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 2.5 miles
• Marine Park, Sundays, 9:00 a.m., 2.5 miles
• Shore Road Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 3 miles

  Jersey City

• Lincoln Park, Sundays, 9:00 a.m., 2.7 miles

  Manhattan

• Inwood Hill Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 2.75 miles
• Morningside Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 3 miles

  Queens

• Astoria Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 3.1 miles
• Baisley Pond Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 3.10 miles
• Cunningham Park, Sundays, 9:00 a.m., 2.66 miles
• Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Thursdays, 7:00 p.m., 3.3 miles
• Crocheron Park, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m., 3.1 miles

  Staten Island

• Conference House Park, Sundays, 9:00 a.m., 3.1 miles

Throughout the year, New York Road Runners offers a variety of races, community events, and free programming, serving nearly a half a million people as part of its mission to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.

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About New York Road Runners (NYRR)  

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 people 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 50,000 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.