Youth and Community Services at a Glance
New York Road Runners youth programs promote children's fitness, character development, and personal achievement by bringing free and low-cost running programs to schools and community centers across the country.
Programs
Mighty Milers is an easy to implement youth running program designed for all fitness levels. Children strive to complete one to four “marathons of miles” (26.2 to 104.8 miles) over the course of a program cycle, which is usually a school year. New York Road Runners provides training, resources, and staff support, plus incentives for the children as they reach milestones toward their goal.
- Start year: 2005
- Number of U.S. children in Mighty Milers in 2010: 72,000
- Total miles run to date in the 2009-2010 school year: 2 million
- Program Scope: 50 states
Young Runners is an after-school running program that teaches NYC youth of all fitness levels to run distances ranging from 1 to 6.2 miles. Through team practices and events, Young Runners increase their running performance while learning about perseverance, teamwork, and healthy habits for life. New York Road Runners provides training, resources, and staff support, plus incentives for the children as they achieve personal and team goals.
- Start year: 1999
- Number of children in Young Runners in 2010: 2,500
- Number of 2010 NYRR races/events Young Runners participated in: 28
- Program Scope: New York City
Now in its seventh year, the NYC DOE Developmental Track & Field Series is a collaborative partnership among NYC Department of Education’s Office of Fitness and Health Education, New York Road Runners, and the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation. While participating in developmental and championship meets, thousands of children from the five boroughs learn about running and lifelong fitness through the sport of track and field.
- Start year: 2003
- Number of participants in 2010: 15,000
- Number of meets in 2010: 37
- Program Scope: New York City
City Sports for Kids is a four-week program offered twice a year that introduces children of all ability levels to track and field events including, long-distance running, sprints, relays, hurdles, long jump, high jump, and javelin. Developed and directed by fitness experts Bob and Shelly Glover for the past 20 years, City Sports for Kids is often the first opportunity a NYC child gets to explore the fuller world of track and field events.
Events
NYRR Youth Jamborees are free day-long events held three times a year in prominent New York City athletic facilities. Children ages 4-15 participate in running, jumping, and throwing events while family health booths and screenings are open to all attendees.
Run with Champions is traditionally a marathon week invitation-only event where Mighty Milers and Young Runners youth take part in 400-meter and one-mile races, as well as participate in a clinic composed of world-class athletes competing in the following Sunday’s ING New York City Marathon.
After the Basics I, II, III are professional development workshops that teach educators, coaches, and youth leaders how to enhance and bring variety to practices and other fitness sessions.
The Young Runners Championship Meet is a celebration near the end of the school year where Young Runners youth compete in races and participate in fitness activities and games.
Young Runners Cross Country Invitational is a 1.5-mile race open to Young Runners teams, C.H.A.M.P.S. cross country programs, and a select group of Mighty Milers programs.
Young Runners Friendlies are a series of low-competition events that Young Runners teams may participate in each spring. Relays, 55-meter, and 1600-meter events are held for youth in grades 1-12 in each borough.
Mighty Milers Fun Runs are celebratory culmination events that take place at the end of the school year where New York City-based Mighty Milers participate in half-mile and mile runs, as well as field day activities including, tug-of-war, relay races, and obstacle courses.
