Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program is an Official Charity Partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon

For Immediate Release

New York Road Runners Names Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program as Official Charity Partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon

New York Road Runners sets $100 million charity fundraising goal for 2026 race

The 2025 TCS New York City Marathon raised a record-breaking $80 million for more than 600 official charity partners

New York, March, 4, 2026 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, has named Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP) an Official Charity Partner of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, taking place Sunday, Nov. 1. One of 60 adult and youth races the nonprofit produces each year, the TCS New York City Marathon is one of the most inclusive and accessible sporting events in the world, with more than 55,000 athletes running the same course on the same day, from the first to the final finisher. 

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic five‑borough course, first run in 1976. In honor of this milestone year, New York Road Runners is expanding its Official Charity Partner Program to include more than 670 charities, the most ever, among them HJTEP, and has set a goal of raising more than $100 million. Since its inception in 2006, the Official Charity Partner Program has raised nearly $700 million for more than 1,000 nonprofits worldwide by providing guaranteed entries to the TCS New York City Marathon to athletes who fundraise on their behalf. During the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, more than 14,000 charity runners raised a record $80 million for more than 600 charities, causes, and missions, a 14 percent increase from 2024. Once again, the event made history, breaking the world record for the largest marathon ever for a second consecutive year with 59,226 finishers.

Since 1972, the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP) has been developing champions in tennis, education, and wellness. Through its comprehensive sports-based youth development model, HJTEP has empowered more than 28,000 young people, sustaining per-child retention rates of 7–10 years on average, with 3.1 GPAs, a 100% high school graduation rate, and open college pathways, fueled by 65% academic and 25% tennis scholarships.

Through its “Running for Legacy” team in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, Team HJTEP is turning miles into opportunity by raising critical funds to expand access for more youth across Harlem and beyond to learn tennis and succeed as leaders in life. Runners confirmed to date include proud HJTEP alumna Sara Levy Lambert and Director of Fitness Doug Knox, representing the powerful full circle of a legacy organization in Harlem that grows its leaders from the ground up.

“We are proud to participate in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon and grateful to New York Road Runners for the opportunity to run on behalf of Harlem’s youth. Funds raised through this race will help expand access to tennis while supporting the academic growth and leadership development of the young people we serve," said Katrina Adams, Executive Director of the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program. 

“New York Road Runners is honored to welcome the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as they raise vital funds to build champions in tennis, education, and wellness,” said Christine Burke, Chief Commercial Officer, New York Road Runners. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the five‑borough course, this year’s TCS New York City Marathon and our expanded Official Charity Partner Program underscore the extraordinary impact running can have in bringing people together and driving meaningful change.”

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, the best day of the year, in the best city in the world, will take athletes on a 26.2-mile journey across all five boroughs. The largest marathon in the world, the event attracts more than 55,000 athletes and two million spectators.

One week before adult runners traverse the New York City streets, 2,500 youth ages 2 to 18 will kick off race week at the marathon’s official youth race, the TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff, Sunday, October 25. The TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff is one of more than 20 free youth events the nonprofit hosts throughout the year. 

Join Team HJTEP in empowering Harlem’s youth. To learn more about our runners and make a donation, visit www.hjtep.org/nycmarathon. 

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About the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP)

Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP) is a cornerstone sports-based youth development organization serving Harlem and its surrounding New York City neighborhoods. HJTEP’s mission is to develop champions in tennis, education, and wellness by advancing equity and opportunity for under-resourced youth. For nearly 365 days a year over five decades, HJTEP has provided safe, structured, and culturally responsive programming to predominantly BIPOC youth, ensuring that any child has access to learn the sport of tennis as an entry point to academic achievement, physical and mental wellness, and long-term life success. HJTEP serves over 1,200 young people ages 5-18 annually through a combination of year-round after-school and summer programs, in-school PE/gym tennis partnerships with NYC public schools, and free community tennis clinics across Harlem. To learn more, visit www.hjtep.org. 

About the New York City Marathon

Initially run in 1970 as four laps around Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time in 1976 to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the five-borough New York City Marathon course, coinciding with the nonprofit’s recent rebrand and launch of its new “Believe in Every Step” brand platform. Produced by the world's premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently the largest marathon in the world, bringing together 55,000+ participants and more than two million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world. 

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 half a million New Yorkers annually through its races, 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 on the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 55,000 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.  

MEDIA CONTACT: 

HJTEP Communications Manager: Veronica Graves, 914-426-8503, veronica@hjtep.org 

NYRR Public Relations: Carole Harsch, 929-746-6984, charsch@nyrr.org