Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York Road Runners (NYRR) announced that registration is now open for 2K for 2-K, a free family-focused event tied to the launch of the city’s 2-K child care program.
The event will take place June 7 at 8:00am at Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan. It is open to the public through NYRR registration, with attendance limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program includes a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) run and walk for participants ages 2 and older, along with short dashes for children ages 2 to 11. Families will also have access to games and interactive activities designed to accompany the race-day programming.
“This January, we drew the starting line for universal child care. Later this summer, the first 2,000 families will receive life-changing offers for free, full-day, full-year child care for their 2-year-olds. But this work is a marathon, not a sprint. We are building a city where every family, no matter where they live or how much money they earn, has access to the care they need to build a life in New York City,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “This race is about bringing families together to raise awareness about 2-K and giving New York’s cutest the running start they deserve.”
2-K is the city’s early childhood care initiative aimed at expanding access to free, full-day, full-year child care for eligible families. Launched in partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul early in the administration, the program is rolling out in phases across selected communities.
Families in the first four participating areas have until June 26 to submit applications through myschools.nyc.
The initiative is intended to address affordability pressures in child care while expanding long-term access across the city.
The event builds on the organization’s ongoing partnership with the city and its broader youth programming, which reaches hundreds of thousands of students annually through running-based initiatives.
The nonprofit organizes dozens of races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon, alongside youth and community events designed to encourage physical activity.
Earlier efforts connected to the program include a request for information issued in February, a phased rollout announcement and a public awareness campaign that included a jingle contest. The first four communities were identified in March to receive the initial 2,000 seats in the program rollout.
Beyond promoting the city’s new child care initiative, the event and program highlights how early childhood support can strengthen families, reduce financial strain and help create more stable communities across New York City.
