People hold their hands in the air as they run down a long path

NYBG 5K Fun Run

Sunday, September 27, 2026

8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | At the Garden

Celebrate the end of Climate Week NYC with NYBG’s second annual 5K Fun Run! This scenic 3.1-mile road and trail course takes runners through some of the Garden’s most gorgeous scenery, including the historic Thain Family Forest, one of New York City’s largest remaining old-growth forests, as well as the Judy and Michael Steinhardt Maple Collection. Along the way, participants will pass historic landmarks such as the Lillian and Amy Goldman Stone Mill, Mertz Building, and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Your participation directly supports NYBG’s work here and around the world to protect biodiversity and develop plant-based solutions to climate change.

New this year!

New Course with a mile of new track! This year’s 5K course offers the best of both road and trail running, taking participants through some of the Garden’s most beautiful landscapes, including a memorable stretch through the historic Thain Family Forest. The 3.1-mile route features approximately one mile of new course terrain not included last year, giving returning runners a fresh experience while maintaining breathtaking views of Garden collections and rolling elevation changes that make this run a favorite.
Finish Line Clock. While this event is not timed, the course is equipped with timing clocks for those who wish to track their success.

Your guests can cheer you on as you pass by the Visitor Center, with the purchase of an All-Garden Pass. After your run, join us on Daffodil Hill for festivities including meet-and-greets with Boogie Down Bronx Run Club and NYBG experts to learn about their important work across a range of disciplines. And don’t forget to grab your NYBG 5K Fun Run T-shirt before you set off to enjoy the rest of your day at the Garden! This event is rain or shine. Participants must be ages 13+.

Tickets:

Early Bird Pricing (June 3 through August 3): $44 for Members | $52 for Non-Members
Standard Pricing (August 4 through September 26): $55 for Members | $65 for Non-Members

Ticket Includes:
All-Garden Pass Admission – Run Registration – Commemorative T-Shirt – Music & Activities
Bibs and Course Details will be mailed to registrants who register by August 20.

Get Tickets

Above photo © SonoVisualss

About the Boogie Down Bronx Run Club

This run is designed in partnership with the Boogie Down Bronx Run Club (BDBRC), a collective of everyday Bronx residents whose mission is to promote wellness, inspire, and engage people of all abilities. BDBRC members will be serving as course support throughout the event, so be sure to say hello!

The Course

A purple and green overhead map of a botanical garden, with a red line depicting a race path

Course Details

Upon arrival to the Garden, runners are directed to the Main Entrance for check-in. Check-in includes ticket check. Bib pick-up is available for those who registered after August 20. Runners are directed to corrals where they may self-select placement based on desired pace with wave starts. The course begins at the top of Daffodil Hill and winds through sweetgums, oaks, and maples, past the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, Burn Family Lilac Collection, through the Thain Family Forest, and alongside the Library and Conservatory before celebrating the last 200 meters of the course alongside the Visitor Center cheer zone. The finish line greets you at the Native Plant Garden with finishers walking along Mitsubishi Wetland Trail to the post-run festivities on Daffodil Hill.

Check-in opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 8:15 a.m.
There is no bag check for this event. If you are driving, you are welcome to leave your personal belongings in your vehicle during the event. You will be permitted to access your vehicle after the event, and return to the Garden for post-run festivities.
Start and Finish Clocks. While this is a non-competitive event, clocks will be at the start and finish lines of the event. Finish times will not be collected by NYBG.
No strollers are permitted on the course. For the safety of those on the course and preservation of our collections, strollers are not permitted on the course.
This course is not ADA accessible. This course has varying elevation levels and includes road and trail pathways with uneven surfaces.
Water Stations. There will be 1 water station on the course at the halfway point. Water will be available at the course finish in the festivities area.
No official video / photography. There are no individual finish photos or video provided by NYBG of this event.
Bring your guests to celebrate! Guests may purchase an All-Garden Pass ticket here. Guests may cheer runners along as they pass by the Visitor Center and join the Daffodil Hill celebration from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The course closes at 10 a.m.

A person holds up a white water bottle with a floral pattern

NYBG Shop Runner's Discount

Open at 7 a.m.

Participants in the NYBG 5K Fun Run receive a special 20% discount at NYBG Shop on run day! NYBG Members combine with their savings for a 30% discount. Shop runner favorites, from floral water bottles to NYBG socks and more. Please note this discount is only available on Sunday, September 27 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., in-store only. Discounts are redeemed by showing NYBG 5K Fun Run bib or ticket.

A colorful illustration of flowers dancing with instruments

Experience Flower Power

After the run, visit the ongoing exhibition Flower Power, a joyous celebration of the enduring symbolism of flowers as icons of peace and love.

Learn More

Scenes from Last Year's Fun Run

Event Details

Registration includes:
- Participation for 1 individual in the run
- 1 NYBG 5K Fun Run T-Shirt
- Access to post-run festivities on Daffodil Hill from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- All-Garden Pass access to NYBG from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., including admission to Flower Power.
Registration for the event is for individuals ages 13+. Participants under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian. Unaccompanied minors (17 and under) are not permitted to participate on their own. All participants ages 13+ must have a registered adult present during their run or walk.

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