Youth Jamboree Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this a one-time event or an ongoing program?
The Youth Jamboree is a one-day event that happens three times a year, usually in October, March, and May. Click here for information about our ongoing, site-based programs.

2. Do youth participants have to be members of a team to register?
No. The Jamborees are open to any children in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Children in Pre-Kindergarten who are at least four (4) years of age are invited to participate in a 55-Meter Dash. High school students are invited to participate in the 800-Meter Invitational and the 55-Meter Dash (at the Armory) or the 100-Meter Dash (at Icahn Stadium).

3. How are the Jamboree events organized?
As of Fall 2011, the Jamboree will be divided by grade instead of age group. The new grade divisions are as follows:

• Pre-Kindergarten (minimum age of 4 years old)
• Kindergarten and 1st Grade
• 2nd and 3rd Grade
• 4th and 5th Grade
• 6th Grade
• 7th and 8th Grade
• High School

The Jamboree is split into two sessions. The morning session, for students in grades K through 5, runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The afternoon session, for students in grades 6 through 8, will run from 1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For Jamborees located at the New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory, high school students are invited to participate in the 800-Meter Invitational and/or the 55-Meter Dash during the afternoon session.

For Jamborees located at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island, high school students are invited to participate in the 800-Meter Invitational and/or the 100-Meter Dash during the afternoon session.

4. How do I register?
You can pre-register by e-mail, fax, or mail or register at the Jamboree.
Pre-Registration
You can register by filling out the forms provided on our website. Please be aware that Jamboree forms are posted online as soon as they are available. Please complete the registration form completely and legibly. Please be sure to fill out one registration form for each youth participant and fill out the checklist form each time you send in a registration form(s). Once completed, you can scan the forms and e-mail them to jamboree@nyrr.org, fax them to 917.677.8939, or mail them for receipt by the pre-registration deadline to the following address:

New York Road Runners
Attn: Youth Jamboree
156 West 56th Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10019

After sending in the forms, we advise you to to email jamboree@nyrr.org or call 646.758.9675 with the full name and school/team of all youth participants to confirm that we have received them. Please bring copies of all registration forms to the Jamboree.

Day-Of Registration
We will have forms available at the registration table for day-of registration. Teams must have all forms filled out with parent/guardian signatures prior to coming to the registration table. Coaches' signatures will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Please note that you come to the pre-registration table and also need to submit new registration forms that day, you will be re-directed to a separate table.

5. What time should we arrive at the Jamboree?
Registration opens at 7:45 a.m. It is not necessary to arrive this early unless your athlete or child is participating in the first rotation beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you pre-register, a packet will be ready for your child(ren)/team with all pre-printed event labels and information. Day-of registration may take longer than pre-registration, especially for teams. Use your own discretion in planning, but we recommend you arrive at least one hour before your first event.

6. Do I need to go to registration on event day?
If your child(ren) is/are attending the event as part of a team or school, then the coach or teacher that is attending with them should go to registration to pick up your child(ren)'s registration information. In that case, parents do not need to go to registration and can proceed to the stands.

Parents attending individually with their child(ren) that day will need to go to registration to pick up their child(ren)'s registration information if they pre-registered or to register their child(ren) that day.

7. What happens at registration on event day?
When you arrive on event day, you will be asked the following questions:

a) Did you "pre-register" for the event or do you need to do day-of registration?
Pre-Registration: If you submitted your team, school, or child(ren)'s signed registration form(s) by the pre-registration deadline and received a confirmation of registration by phone or e-mail, then you have pre-registered your child(ren) for the event and can proceed to that area of registration on event day to pick up any pre-printed registration information.

Day-Of Registration: If you did not submit your team, school, or child(ren)'s signed registration form(s) by the pre-registration deadline, you will need to proceed to the "Day-Of Registration" area on event day in order to register your team, school, or child(ren) for the event. A registration form must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian for each child that wishes to participate. Coaches or teachers cannot sign registration forms on a child's behalf and must be able to provide the registration forms signed by a parent in order to register any youth participant(s) on event day.

b) Is your child or team member attending as a Mighty Miler, Young Runner, non-program team member, or individual?
Mighty Milers and Young Runners are the names of our two youth programs that are supported by NYRR Youth & Community Services. All other teams or schools attending are considered "Non-Program Teams." Any youth attending with their parents and not as part of a team is considered an "Individual."

8. Is this an indoor or outdoor event?
The Armory is an indoor space. Icahn Stadium is outdoors, so come prepared for any kind of weather at Icahn Stadium, including rain.

9. How do I get to the Armory / Icahn Stadium?
For directions to the Armory, click here. For directions to Icahn Stadium, click here.

10. Is there parking available at these venues?
Armory
Street parking adjacent to the Armory is difficult to find and may require paying for a meter. A good option is Riverside Drive just south of 165th Street. The closest private paid parking lot is located at 165th Street and Fort Washington Avenue. Unfortunately, we do not provide reimbursement for parking.

Icahn Stadium
There is a free parking lot located right outside Icahn Stadium.

11. Is there an admission fee for the Jamboree?
The Jamboree is free for both adults and kids.

12. Do youth participants have to wear anything specific?
Youth participants should wear something comfortable to run in – shorts/sweatpants, t-shirts, and sneakers. They will be provided a t-shirt at registration which they can wear that day, but keep in mind that sizes are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

13. Are spikes allowed?
No, spikes are not allowed at Jamborees. All youth participants must wear sneakers in order to participate.

14. Do all youth participants receive a free t-shirt?
Yes, t-shirts are distributed to all youth participants. Participating children only should go to the designated t-shirt area to individually pick up their free t-shirt. They will receive a hand stamp at the t-shirt area confirming they have received one. Please direct all other children who are not participating in the Jamboree to seating in the stands. If there is a long line for t-shirts, children can come back later. Adults are not allowed to pick up t-shirts for the participants. If we run out of t-shirts before the end of the event, the t-shirt table will issue a "rain check" form to fill out to receive t-shirts in the mail at a later date.

15. Do youth participants receive awards?
Upon completion of their race or field event, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers receive ribbons corresponding to their place. All other finishers will receive participant ribbons.

16. How do youth participants qualify for the 800-Meter Invitational Run?
There is no qualifying event prior to the Jamboree and no requirement of documented proof for the 800-Meter Invitational Run. The 800-Meter Invitational Run is a showcase reserved for talented mid-distance runners in grades 6 through 8 and high school. We ask that only athletes who can reasonably expect to finish by the set times (2:35 for boys and 2:45 for girls) register for the race.

17. Does the relay count as an event?
Yes, it counts as one of the two events allowed for each participant.

18. Can youth participants run a relay without four runners?
No, all relays must have four runners. However, youth participants may be able to find other children at the Jamboree to be on their relay team. All children need to use one of their two event labels to participate in a relay.

19. Can different grade divisions run on the same relay team?
Yes, the relay team will compete in the grade division corresponding to the oldest member.

20. Can different genders run on the same relay team?
Yes, the relay team will compete in the boys division.

21. Is there food at the Armory/Icahn Stadium?
The Armory and Icahn Stadium both have concession stands. The Armory does not allow outside food to be brought in.

22. Are attendees allowed to bring hard coolers to keep water bottles cool?
At Icahn Stadium, no hard coolers will be permitted in the stadium, but you may bring soft coolers. The Armory does not allow any outside food to be brought in.

23. Are attendees allowed to sell candy at the Jamboree?
Candy sales are not permitted at the Jamboree.

24. Can I find out about running teams at the Jamboree that my child can participate in?
You can learn more about our site-based programs, Mighty Milers and Young Runners, as well as City Sports for Kids, at the Jamboree. Private running clubs often attend the Jamboree; you may be able to talk to them about joining.

Is your question not answered here? For more information, e-mail jamboree@nyrr.org or call 646.758.9675.