Nearly 5,000 Young Runners Sweep All Five Boroughs in NYC Marathon Kids Kickoff

Nearly 5,000 young runners between the ages of 2 and 18 took part in the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff on October 25 and 26, 2026. For the first time, the event expanded simultaneously across all five boroughs, a milestone tied to the 50th anniversary of the original five-borough New York City Marathon. Approximately 3,000 participants ran in Central Park alone on Sunday. Organisers noted that this year's turnout doubled compared to 2025, and said the all-boroughs format reflects the marathon's commitment to inclusion across the entire city. The Kids Kickoff serves as the youth-focused launch to marathon week, with the full race — featuring nearly 60,000 adult runners — scheduled for Sunday, November 1.