New York Road Runners Foundation
The New York Road Runners Foundation was founded in 1998 to carry out the community service mission of New York Road Runners. The NYRR Foundation's goal is to promote health, well-being, and personal achievement among underserved populations with little or no access to athletic programming. As physical education was virtually eliminated from New York City's public schools a quarter century ago and our city is gripped by a childhood obesity epidemic, the Foundation focuses on serving local youth of every fitness level and ability.
The NYRR Foundation's school-day and after-school running-based fitness and character-building programs are youth development initiatives that link the sport of running to success in school and life. By combining training to run 1 to 5 miles, workshops on health, and nutrition and academic lessons related to their program experiences, our programs enrich kids' bodies, minds, and spirits. More than 25,000 New York City elementary through high school students participate in NYRRF programs each week, but there is a need to serve tens of thousands more children.
NYRR Foundation programs emphasize individual improvement, not competitive placement, and are designed to build kids' self-discipline, self-esteem, and self-confidence while teaching the critical links between goal setting, effort, and achievement. Participants get in the best shape of their lives while developing a methodology and mindset for fitness and success they can use throughout their lives.
The NYRR Foundation is supported by the professional and volunteer resources of New York Road Runners. Many of the world's greatest track and field athletes are involved in the programming, including chair Grete Waitz, nine-time winner of the New York City Marathon, and Deena Kastor, the American marathon record-holder. Financial support comes from a variety of institutional and individual sponsors, including NYRR and the New York City Department of Education.
To learn more about the NYRR Foundation, please visit www.nyrrfoundation.org.
If you would like to support the NYRR Foundation with a donation, click here.
