NYRR and New Balance Donate Shoes to Students
The organizations provided 400 pairs of running shoes to New York City public school students in Central Park.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Running
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New York Road Runners and New Balance teamed up to distribute 400 pairs of running shoes to students from 12 New York City public schools. The event took place in Central Park as part of an initiative to encourage youth physical activity.
Why it matters
The program aims to inspire young people to lead healthy, active lifestyles. By providing free equipment, organizers work to remove barriers to exercise for children across all five boroughs.
The giveaway reached students from 12 public schools as part of a youth program that serves more than 100,000 children in New York City. Since 2017, the partnership has provided nearly 70,000 pairs of shoes across 1,000 schools and centers.
The players
New York Road Runners
This non-profit organization is best known for organizing the annual TCS New York City Marathon and providing youth programming.
New Balance
This athletic footwear and apparel brand is a major corporate partner for various road racing events and athletic programs.
The details
Students gathered in Central Park to unbox their footwear and participate in the initiative. This effort operates under the umbrella of the Rising New York Road Runners program.
Timeline
The program began providing free shoes to students in 2017.
The shoe giveaway occurred on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The TCS New York City Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This event highlights the community outreach efforts of the Rising New York Road Runners program ahead of the TCS New York City Marathon. The distribution reinforces the league's focus on youth participation as a core component of the city's broader running culture.
While the 400 students gain necessary equipment for physical activity, the event underscores the scale of youth engagement projects in the city. The program's reach across 1,000 locations since 2017 highlights a sustained investment in student athlete development.
The takeaway
Supporting youth physical activity requires both programmatic structure and access to proper athletic gear. Providing resources like footwear is a proven method to increase long-term student participation in healthy habits.
Further reading
Learn more about local events at New York City Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC7 New York.
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