Free Physical Activity Tools That Are Fun and Easy to Learn and Teach

Rising New York Road Runners is a free running-based youth program designed to make physical activity enjoyable and accessible for kids nationwide. Whether you're an educator, parent, coach, or community member, our program makes it easy to help youth develop the skills, confidence, and desire to stay active for life.

With easy-to-follow activities tailored to each child's age and abilities, access to world-class events, and incentives including equipment, we make it fun to learn essential movement skills that improve running and lay the foundation for success in various sports. Join us in inspiring the next generation to lead healthy and active lifestyles!

Why Educators Love Rising New York Road Runners

Who We Serve

Rising New York Road Runners serves Pre-K through 12th grade schools, after-school programs, and community centers. Kids from New York City and all around the country participate in the program.

Engaging Physical Activities Ready to be Tailored to Your Needs

At the heart of Rising New York Road Runners is PLAYBuilder, a FREE online portal with 1,100+ activities, lesson plans, and instructional videos which promote physical literacy – the ability, confidence, and desire to be physically active for life. PLAYBuilder helps enhance kids' physical activity, whether you're teaching PE in a gym or outdoors, taking a brain break in a classroom, serving kids in an afterschool center, or sharing resources for families to stay active at home.

Rising with Space	Rising in Class	Rising at Home
For schools/sites with indoor/outdoor recreational spaces, including gyms, cafeterias, and athletic fields and tracks, provides fun and engaging activities to practice as a group.	Provides guidance on how PE or classroom teachers can optimize learning using limited space and equipment while providing the crucial benefits of physical activity during the school day.	For educators seeking to share physical activity ideas for families to do outside of the school day. These activities provide instructions for parents to easily implement at home.

Pick the right level for you:

ACCESS TO PLAYBUILDER	PLAY PASS: LIMITED ACCESS	PROGRAM PASS / FULL ENROLLMENT
Sign Up in Seconds	✓
Admin Approval Needed		✓
Engaging Instructional Videos	✓	✓
Access to Virtual Events	✓	✓
Personalized, Hands-On Support from Our Experienced Staff		✓
Professional Development Opportunities	✓	✓
Report Activity and Participate in Challenges to Earn Rewards		✓

Discover for yourself why kids love Rising New York Road Runners. Check out our frequently asked questions or contact us at risingnyrr@nyrr.org.

Photos & Stories

Mic'd Up Rising NYRR Youth Ambassador
"I will run more races until I am 90-years-old." - Rising NYRR Youth Ambassador Dylan at the Boardwalk Kids Run at the RBC Brooklyn Half

Shawanda Weems: 20 Years as a Rising NYRR Program Lead
Shawanda Weems, one of the longest-serving Rising New York Road Runners program leads, discovered NYRR’s youth programs in 2004 after noticing the prevalence of childhood obesity at her school.

It’s Not About Winning or Losing, It’s About Learning and Getting Better
In September 2022, Kevin Phipps became the Rising New York Road Runners program lead at MS 127X Castle Hill in the Bronx, where he works as a school counselor.