Back to School Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile

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.

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 non-binary. Visit our FAQ page for more information on how to update your profile.

Race 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 on the following days:

• Saturday, August 23, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 24, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Monday, August 25, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 26, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 27, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 28, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Friday, August 29, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, August 30, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 31, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

**The NYRR RUNCENTER will be closed on Monday, September 1, for Labor Day**

• Tuesday, September 2, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 3, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, September 4, 9:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

**The RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub will close at 5:30 p.m. on September 5**

• Friday, September 5, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 6, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Parents and guardians of runners are encouraged to pick up race numbers at the NYRR RUNCENTER to avoid race-day lines.

On race day, number pickup will be available at Race-Day Central, located on 5th Avenue between E. 67th and E. 68th Streets. Pickup times are as follows:

• Stage 1: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
• Stage 2: 8:30 - 10:05 a.m.
• Stage 3: 8:30 - 9:55 a.m.

Souvenirs will only be distributed on race day.

If you plan to pick up a runner's race number on race day, please arrive at least 60 minutes before the start of their run.

Stage 1

Stage 1 participants should report to the staging area (starts separated by age group) 15 minutes before the start of their run. Please note that Stage 1 dashes start on a rolling schedule; refer to the estimated start times listed below.

Stages 2 and 3

Stage 2 and 3 participants should report to the corrals 15 minutes before the start of their run. Staff will walk participants to the start line.

For more information on corral assignments, please review our youth race procedures.

See here for the full race-day schedule, including adult race heats.

Stage 1: 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: 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, located on 5th Avenue between E. 67th and E. 68th Streets.

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.

NYRR is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen bags or items from bags checked at NYRR bag check.

Finishers will receive a New Balance hat. Please note that souvenirs are subject to availability.

Souvenirs will only be distributed on race day from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Race-Day Central, located on 5th Avenue between E 67th and E 68th Streets. A youth race number must be presented to collect the event souvenir.

Check out live coverage of the Back to School Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile on race day, Sunday, September 7! Two ways to watch:

• WABC-TV Channel 7 in the New York Tri-State area (12:00-1:00 p.m. ET)
• ESPN+ streaming nationwide (coverage begins at 12:00 p.m. ET)

Coverage includes features, interviews, and uninterrupted live commentary of the professional heats.

New this year, iHeart radio will provide a live race-day broadcast on 710 WOR AM and 104.3HD2 in New York from 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET and is also available via the iHeartRadio app.

After the conclusion of the event, official results will be posted on results.nyrr.org.

Awards will be given to the overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place girl, boy, and non-binary Back to School Mile at the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile - Stage 3 finishers. Awards will only be distributed on event day at the race finish.

In case of an emergency during the race (including in the start or finish area), call 866-705-6626.

Code of Conduct
Rules of Competition
Youth Race Procedures

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.