New York, Sept. 16, 2026 – 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 a notable expansion of its sustainability efforts for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, including the debut of self-serve water refill stations throughout the race for the first time.

In partnership with Official Water Solutions Partner Culligan International, the global leader in water services, New York Road Runners will introduce filtered water refill stations along the course and at additional locations, giving runners more opportunities to carry and refill their own hydration with cleaner, great-tasting water. The new stations will complement the race’s 25 traditional on-course fluid stations. The initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on single-use containers and will be supported by a new licensing partnership with HydraPak, which will offer co-branded reusable water bottles.

“Reducing the environmental impact of an event the scale of the TCS New York City Marathon requires new ideas and thoughtful partnerships,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “By working alongside Culligan International, HydraPak, and our other partners, we can introduce practical solutions that make a difference on race day while encouraging more sustainable habits that extend well beyond the finish line.”

Together, the efforts mark the latest evolution of New York Road Runners’ sustainability strategy to aim for Net Zero emissions by 2040 and help ensure future generations have a healthy environment in which to be active.

Culligan Water Refill Stations Expand Hydration Options for Runners

Following a successful trial at the RBC Brooklyn Half in May, New York Road Runners is proud to offer Culligan filtered self-serve water refill stations along the TCS New York City Marathon course—one in each borough at miles 8, 14, 17, 20, and 23—and at additional locations on race day.

The five on-course refill locations complement the race’s 25 traditional fluid stations and are designed for easy run-in/run-out access by runners carrying their own cups, bottles, or hydration vests, with additional opportunities to refill throughout the race.

The Culligan water refill stations leverage proven science to deliver cleaner, better-tasting drinking water at high flow rates. Using high-capacity activated carbon filtration, the systems effectively reduce microplastics and unpleasant tastes or odors while ensuring high-quality hydration for participants. By refilling with filtered water, runners can reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles and traditional water coolers while expanding race-day hydration options. All containers must comply with NYRR safety and security guidelines.

“We’re proud to bring Culligan expertise in science, service, and sustainability to one of the world’s most iconic races,” said Al Hamood, Culligan International president and chief operating officer. “Partnering with New York Road Runners to introduce innovative refill stations at the TCS New York City Marathon is one of many ways our teams are redefining hydration at endurance events globally, as we work to enhance runner experiences while protecting our planet.”

This extension of New York Road Runners’ long-term partnership with Culligan reflects the organizations’ shared focus on developing more sustainable approaches to hydration. Culligan will continue to replace more than 200,000 single-use plastic water bottles with reusable and recyclable aluminum bottles for TCS New York City Marathon finishers and at race-week events, including the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K and TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff.

HydraPak Brings Reusable Hydration to the TCS New York City Marathon

For the first time, New York Road Runners is partnering with HydraPak as an official licensee of the TCS New York City Marathon, giving runners another way to incorporate reusable hydration into their training and race-day experience. HydraPak will offer co-branded reusable bottles designed for runners to carry their own hydration during training, on race day, and beyond.

Together, the new Culligan water refill stations and HydraPak reusable hydration products create more opportunities for runners to choose a refill-and-reuse approach. By making reusable hydration more accessible, New York Road Runners, Culligan, and HydraPak hope to encourage sustainable habits that extend beyond race day while exploring solutions that can be applied across large-scale endurance events.

NYRR Team for Climate Returns

Now in its third year, NYRR Team for Climate will return with 200 runners—who for the first time were accepted following a thorough application process that ensured runners’ alignment with the mission—participating in a sustainability-focused TCS New York City Marathon experience, which includes:

• Connecting through in-person events and sustainability webinars featuring special guests
• Participating in a race-week plogging event
• Taking the Staten Island Ferry to the start, encouraging the use of public transportation
• Gathering in a start tent powered by solar/electric generators and featuring sustainable catering
• Wearing reusable branded singlets featuring climate stripes designed to raise awareness of climate change

In 2024, New York Road Runners became the first major marathon to offer an entry method tied to its sustainability efforts with the launch of NYRR Team for Climate. Since launching, NYRR Team for Climate has raised more than $1.9 million, including nearly $650,000 during the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon alone, to offset the entire carbon footprint of the race and support New York Road Runners’ sustainability initiatives. Funds raised by NYRR Team for Climate during the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will support carbon insetting and offsetting efforts.

Additional Sustainability Initiatives

New York Road Runners works year-round with vendors, partners, volunteers, and New York City agencies to minimize the environmental impact of its events and divert waste from landfills, with the goal of leaving the city’s streets and parks cleaner than they were found.

Additional sustainability efforts planned for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon include:

• Nine Waste Diversion Stations staffed by 130 Green Team volunteers helping runners sort their waste. In 2025, 152.81 tons of material was recycled.
• Donation of all leftover food to charity partner City Harvest. In 2025, 17,620 pounds of leftover food was donated, helping feed the nearly 1.3 million New Yorkers who face hunger each year.
• Electric and hybrid vehicles courtesy of Official Vehicle Provider Volvo, including 5 all-electric Volvo EX60 race-day lead vehicles, as well as 11 all-electric Volvo EX90 and 10 hybrid Volvo XC90 support vehicles.
• Composting of all Gatorade and water cups at McEnroe Farms in Upstate New York. In 2025, 107.99 tons of material was composted.
• Official race shirts from New Balance made with 100% recycled polyester.
• Collection and donation of discarded runner clothing at the start to All of Us Clothing, which will be distributed to New Yorkers in need. In 2025, 123,000 pounds of clothing was collected and donated to All of Us Clothing.

2026 Climate Week NYC Panel

Ahead of the TCS New York City Marathon, New York Road Runners will bring together leaders from sports, science, and sustainability for its fourth annual Climate Week NYC panel, “Perspectives Shaping Climate Action Through Sport,” on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the newly renovated NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub at 320 W. 57th St.

The 45-minute conversation will explore how different perspectives across sports and science can shape the way people understand and respond to climate change. Panelists include Jasmyne Spencer, professional soccer player; Dr. Eric Roy, head of science at Culligan International; and Errol Barnett, CBS News anchor and national correspondent. Tina Muir, climate advocate, former elite marathoner, and founder of Racing for Sustainability, will moderate.

Following the panel, attendees are invited to join the speakers for a group plog—an activity combining jogging or walking while picking up litter. Bags and gloves will be provided, and runners and walkers of all paces are welcome.

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About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970–2026)

Initially run in 1970 as four-plus 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 on Oct. 24, 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 5-boro marathon course and setting a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Produced by the world's premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently one of the largest marathons in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than two million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.

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 more than 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 nearly 60,000 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.

About Culligan

Culligan makes a real difference to people and to the planet by providing clean, sustainable, great-tasting water and reducing reliance on single-use plastic. Culligan is one of the world’s most recognized, trusted names in water, a reputation built through a legacy of trust, innovation, service, and quality. Founded in 1936 in the United States, Culligan International operates in over 90 countries and has more than 18,000 employees worldwide. In 2024, the company reported revenue of $3.3 billion, with an average annual growth rate of approximately 34% (from 2016 to 2024). With over 22 million active installations, Culligan solutions serve more than 170 million consumers annually. This translates to an annual reduction of approximately 45 billion single-use plastic water bottles, saving almost 700 million kg of plastic and preventing more than 6 billion kg of CO₂ emissions.

The Culligan master brand covers a family of iconic brands and innovative technologies that include Quench, Zip Water, Purezza Premium Water, and Culligan Zero which all share a mission to bring better water to consumers anywhere they need it—in the home, at work, or on-the-go. Its product range includes under-sink filtration systems, water dispensers, multifunctional taps, bottle-free coolers, and water softening systems. For more information, visit www.culliganinternational.com or follow @HeyCulligan. For media inquiries: media@culligan.com