New York Road Runners (NYRR) will host 12,000 adult runners on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the sold-out 2026 Citizens Queens 10K. The event will also feature nearly 1,000 youth participants in the accompanying Flushing Meadows Kids Run.
Organised by NYRR, a non-profit community running organisation, the marquee event in the borough of Queens celebrates local culture and community. New York Road Runners produces 60 annual adult and youth races, such as the TCS New York City Marathon, and provides free year-round youth and community programmes.
Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO at New York Road Runners, said “The Citizens Queens 10K is more than a race – it’s a celebration of the communities that make Queens one of the most dynamic places in the world. As our marquee event in Queens, it reflects our belief in the power of movement to bring people together. Through races, youth programs, and community events throughout the year, we are helping more local residents believe in every step and discover what’s possible through running.”
Financial institution Citizens returns as the title partner for the third consecutive year. This forms part of its foundation-level partnership with New York Road Runners, having served as the official bank since 2023. Registered runners can collect their race bibs at the Citizens Woodside branch, located at 5120 Northern Boulevard, between June 17–18, 2026 from 12:00 to 17:00. At the branch, runners can enter a raffle for a chance to win a 2027 United Airlines NYC Half bib.
Rebecca O’Connell, NYC Metro Market President at Citizens, said “Each year, the Citizens Queens 10K brings to life the connections that make this borough so extraordinary. From first-time runners to long time community members, this event reflects the spirit, ambition, and vibrancy that define Queens.”
The Flushing Meadows Kids Run will welcome youth participants aged 2 to 18 in free dashes and races. The event is one of more than 20 free Rising New York Road Runners youth events hosted by the non-profit during the year. The youth initiative serves 200,000 students nationwide, including 100,000 students in New York City. Registered youth participants will receive a New Balance lunchbox, and finishers will receive a medal.
A post-race festival will be hosted by Citizens in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from 08:00 to 12:00 on June 20. The public festival will feature a live DJ, summer treats from a popsicle truck, and baked goods from Queens Night Market vendor Dilena’s Dolcini. Prizes in the event raffles include an item signed by Eli Manning, tickets to the New York Giants 2026 season home opener, theatre tickets, and an entry to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon.
This year, race registrants had the opportunity to donate to the event charity beneficiary, Pursuit. The Queens-based non-profit helps low-income New Yorkers, including immigrants and first-generation Americans, launch careers in technology and AI.
Now in its 13th year, the Citizens Queens 10K features a 6.2-mile course running through Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The route takes in local landmarks such as the Fountain of the Planets, Unisphere, and the Queens Museum.
The event evolved from the Queens Half Marathon, which was first produced by New York Road Runners in 1994. It serves as the fourth of six races in the NYRR Five-Borough Series. The other events in the series are the NYRR Manhattan 10K in February, the United Airlines NYC Half in March, the RBC Brooklyn Half in May, the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile on September 19, 2026, and the NYRR Staten Island Half on October 11, 2026.
New York Road Runners currently serves 9,000 members in Queens across 23 local run clubs. The non-profit also operates community initiatives in the borough such as NYRR Open Run, which attracts nearly 600 residents weekly across five neighbourhood parks, and NYRR Striders, a fitness programme helping 127 older adults stay active. Additionally, the NYRR Race Free programme provides complimentary race entries to 222 financially qualifying Queens residents, while NYRR Group Training offers coached workouts for more than 100 runners in Astoria Park.
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