New York Road Runners (NYRR), the non-profit community running organisation that serves over 500,000 people annually, has announced an expansion of its sustainability efforts for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. The initiatives include the debut of self-serve water refill stations throughout the course.
In partnership with Official Water Solutions Partner Culligan International, an international leader in water services, NYRR will introduce filtered water refill stations along the marathon course and at additional locations. The new stations will complement the race’s 25 traditional on-course fluid stations. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on single-use containers and will be supported by a new licensing partnership with HydraPak, which will offer co-branded reusable water bottles.
Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO at NYRR, said “Reducing the environmental impact of an event the scale of the TCS New York City Marathon requires new ideas and thoughtful partnerships. By working alongside Culligan International, HydraPak, and our other partners, we can introduce practical solutions that make a difference on race day while encouraging more sustainable habits that extend well beyond the finish line.”
The efforts mark the latest step in NYRR’s sustainability strategy to reach Net Zero emissions by 2040. NYRR organises over 60 adult and youth races across the five boroughs of New York City, and the TCS New York City Marathon welcomes nearly 60,000 runners each year.
Following a trial at the RBC Brooklyn Half in May, NYRR is offering Culligan filtered self-serve water refill stations along the TCS New York City Marathon course – one in each borough at miles 8, 14, 17, 20, and 23 – as well as at additional locations on race day. The five on-course refill locations are designed for easy run-in/run-out access by runners carrying their own cups, bottles, or hydration vests.
The stations use high-capacity activated carbon filtration to reduce microplastics and unappealing tastes or odours at high flow rates. NYRR noted that all containers must comply with its safety and security guidelines.
Al Hamood, President and Chief Operating Officer at Culligan International, said “We’re proud to bring Culligan expertise in science, service, and sustainability to one of the world’s most iconic races. Partnering with New York Road Runners to introduce innovative refill stations at the TCS New York City Marathon is one of many ways our teams are redefining hydration at endurance events globally, as we work to enhance runner experiences while protecting our planet.”
Culligan will also continue to replace more than 200,000 single-use plastic water bottles with reusable and recyclable aluminium bottles for finishers and at race-week events, such as the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K and TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff.
For the first time, NYRR is partnering with HydraPak as an official licensee of the event. HydraPak will offer co-branded reusable bottles designed for runners to carry their own hydration during training and on race day.
Now in its third year, the NYRR Team for Climate will return with 200 runners. Participants were selected following an application process to ensure alignment with the mission. The team experience includes connecting through in-person events and sustainability webinars, participating in a race-week plogging event, taking the Staten Island Ferry to the start to encourage public transportation use, gathering in a start tent powered by solar/electric generators with sustainable catering, and wearing reusable branded singlets featuring climate stripes.
Since launching in 2024, NYRR Team for Climate has raised more than US$1.9 million, including nearly US$650,000 during the 2025 event, to offset the carbon footprint of the race. Funds raised during the 2026 event will support carbon insetting and offsetting efforts. get rid of this part
Additional sustainability measures for the 2026 event include nine Waste Diversion Stations staffed by 130 Green Team volunteers, following 152.81 tons of material recycled in 2025, and the donation of leftover food to charity partner City Harvest, following 17,620 pounds donated in 2025.
The event will also feature electric and hybrid support vehicles provided by Official Vehicle Provider Volvo, including 5 all-electric Volvo EX60 lead vehicles, 11 all-electric Volvo EX90 support vehicles, and 10 hybrid Volvo XC90 support vehicles. All Gatorade and water cups will be composted at McEnroe Farms in Upstate New York, following 107.99 tons composted in 2025.
Official race shirts from New Balance will be made with 100% recycled polyester, and discarded runner clothing at the start will be collected for donation to All of Us Clothing, following 123,000 pounds collected in 2025.
Ahead of the event, NYRR will host its fourth annual Climate Week NYC panel, ‘Perspectives Shaping Climate Action Through Sport’, on September 22, 2026 at the NYRR RUNCENTER in New York, NY.
