More than 10,000 runners and hundreds of youth expected to participate in nonprofit’s marquee event in Queens; Citizens, the Official Bank of NYRR, to serve as race’s first-ever title sponsor
New York, June 10, 2024 — New York Road Runners (NYRR) will celebrate “The World’s Borough” when it hosts 10,000 runners Saturday, June 15 at the sold-out Citizens Queens 10K, the nonprofit’s marquee event in the borough and one of 60 adult and youth races it produces annually.
Part of the NYRR Five Borough Series, the Citizens Queens 10K has taken place since 2012, evolving from what used to be the Queens Half Marathon, first held in 1994. The race will take place in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, starting and finishing near the Fountain of the Planets and giving runners spectacular views of the Unisphere, Citi Field, and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
“We are excited to celebrate ‘The World’s Borough’ with the Citizens Queens 10K—a race with a picturesque course that highlights the diverse running communities of Queens,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. “New York Road Runners has been building healthier lives and transforming communities in Queens since the early 2000s, and we are thrilled to have Citizens as our partner for the first time this year in helping us shine a light on this beautiful borough.”
Citizens became the Official Bank of NYRR last September and as part of its five-year Foundation-level partnership will be the first-ever title sponsor of the Queens 10K. Citizens entered the New York City metro market in 2022, and with more than 200 branches in greater New York City, Long Island, and throughout New Jersey, is committed to understanding and supporting the neighborhoods it serves.
“Citizens is committed to going the distance for our customers and our local communities,” said Nuno Dos Santos, Citizens Retail Banking Director. “This race and the post-race festival is the perfect way to kick off summer and celebrate the Queens community by bringing together runners, spectators and neighbors for a fun, family-friendly event.”
At this year’s Citizens Queens 10K, there will be an elevated youth event with a medal offered for the first time under the new name Flushing Meadows Kids Run, drawing hundreds of kids ages 2–18 from across New York City.
Following the race, NYRR and Citizens will host the first Citizens Queens 10K post-race festival, a lively celebration at Corona Flushing Meadow Park for the runners and Queens community. This public festival will feature live music, family-friendly activities, and food from local vendors participating in the Queens Night Market. The festival will kick off at 8 a.m. and conclude at noon, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to come together and celebrate race participants and the vibrant spirit of Queens.
According to the most recent U.S. Census, 47 percent of the Queens population was born outside the U.S. and Queens residents speak up to 130 languages. As a New York City-based nonprofit that builds healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running, NYRR has made its programs accessible to this diverse Queens community for more than two decades. NYRR’s free, year-round programming in Queens serves more than 21,000 kids through Rising New York Road Runners in local schools, nearly 100 older adults through NYRR Striders at community and older adult centers, and approximately 1,000 runners at NYRR Open Runs weekly across five parks. Additionally, NYRR has more than 7,000 members in Queens and engages with over 25 local run clubs in the borough.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.
