Back to School Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile
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Coming SoonBack to School Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile - Stage 1Non-Scored Youth - Stage 1 Ages 2 - 11Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 10:30 AMDistance: Kids DashEntry Fees: This is a free event
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Coming SoonBack to School Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile - Stage 2Non-Scored Youth - Stage 2 Ages 8 - 18Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 10:10 AMDistance: 1 MileEntry Fees: This is a free event
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Coming SoonBack to School Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile - Stage 3Scored Youth - Stage 3 Ages 12 - 18Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 10:00 AMDistance: 1 MileEntry Fees: This is a free event
The New Balance 5th Avenue Mile returns for its 45th year, bringing back one of New York City’s most iconic races.
Kids can join the excitement running along the same fast and fun course as the pros. It’s the perfect way to kick off the school year – running, cheering, and celebrating with family and friends.
Registration is FREE and open to participants ages 2–18 of all abilities. Participants will receive a New Balance hat (while supplies last).
Check out our calendar for a full list of upcoming youth events, and don’t forget to follow and use #RisingNYRR to share your event-day fun! For more information on the adult race, please visit the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile race page.
All event information is subject to change.
The chart below is a guide to the stages available. Use the chart to determine the appropriate stage for your child. If you need help determining your child's stage, contact our Runner Services team.
| Stage | Ages | Event Type | Register If |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 to 11 |
Non-competitive Untimed shorter distances Fitness activities |
Your child is new to physical activity or running, but likes playing games and being active. |
| 2 | 8 to 18 |
Non-competitive Untimed medium distances Fitness activities |
Your child likes running, but isn’t ready for a competitive event. Your child likes playing games and being active. |
| 3 | 12 to 18 |
Competitive Timed longer distances Fitness activities |
Your child is comfortable running a longer distance and racing other kids in a competitive setting. |
Rising New York Road Runners strives to host inclusive, sustainable, and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage. We welcome all young participants with disabilities, including but not limited to, participants that use wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, and other mobility devices. To request reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility for attending this event, please email Arianna Moliere at amoliere@nyrr.org.
We’ve updated our website to increase inclusivity and representation in our races. Parents/guardians can register youth runners as girl, boy, or nonbinary. Visit our FAQ page for more information on how to update your profile.
Numbers may be picked up at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub at 320 West 57th Street (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues) in advance of the event. Please check back for available dates and times.
Parents/guardians of runners are encouraged to pick up numbers at the NYRR RUNCENTER to avoid event-day lines.
On event day, number pickup will be available at Race-Day Central. Pickup times are:
- Stage 1: 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
- Stage 2: 8:40 a.m.–10:20 a.m.
- Stage 3: 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
If you plan to pick up a runner's number on the day of the event, please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of their run.
Check back closer to the event for more information.
Stage 1: Check back for the event map. Participants will run short dashes of various distances. See the Schedule of Events section for the estimated distances each age group will run.
Stages 2 & 3: Check back for the event map. Participants will run a one-mile course that starts on 5th Avenue at E. 81st Street and finishes on 5th Avenue at E. 60th Street near Grand Army Plaza.
We strongly recommend checking mta.info before you travel. You can also message the MTA using the chat feature on the MTA app.
Bag check will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Race-Day Central.
While we will continue to have clear plastic bags available at registration, we encourage you to use your own clear reusable plastic bag, no larger than 17" wide x 20" high x 7" deep. Only clear bags may be checked at bag check; we are unable to check opaque bags of any size.
NYRR is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen bags or items from bags checked at NYRR bag check.
Participants will receive a New Balance hat. Souvenirs are subject to availability and will only be distributed on event day from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Race-Day Central. A youth number is required to collect the souvenir.
In case of an emergency during the event (including in the start or finish area), call 866-705-6626.
After the conclusion of the event, official results will be posted on results.nyrr.org. Awards will be presented on race day to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Stage 3 finishers in the girl, boy, and nonbinary categories. Awards will only be distributed at the race finish.
If NYRR cancels an offering on the direction of local, city, or state authorities, parents/guardians will be informed as soon as possible. Events will not be rescheduled.
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