New York Road Runners Expands TCS New York City Marathon Sustainability Efforts with New Water Refill Stations

New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races including the TCS New York City Marathon, announced a notable expansion of its sustainability efforts for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, including the debut of self-serve water refill stations throughout the race for the first time. 

In partnership with Official Water Solutions Partner Culligan International, the global leader in water services, New York Road Runners will introduce filtered water refill stations along the course and at additional locations, giving runners more opportunities to carry and refill their own hydration with cleaner, great-tasting water. The new stations will complement the race’s 25 traditional on-course fluid stations. The initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on single-use containers and will be supported by a new licensing partnership with HydraPak, which will offer co-branded reusable water bottles.

“Reducing the environmental impact of an event the scale of the TCS New York City Marathon requires new ideas and thoughtful partnerships,” said Rob Simmekljaer, New York Road Runners CEO.

"By working alongside Culligan International, HydraPak, and our other partners, we can introduce practical solutions that make a difference on race day while encouraging more sustainable habits that extend well beyond the finish line." - Rob Simmekljaer

Together, the efforts mark the latest evolution of New York Road Runners’ sustainability strategy to aim for Net Zero emissions by 2040 and help ensure future generations have a healthy environment in which to be active.

Culligan Water Refill Stations Expand Hydration Options for Runners

Following a successful trial at the RBC Brooklyn Half in May, New York Road Runners is proud to offer Culligan filtered self-serve water refill stations along the TCS New York City Marathon  course—one in each borough at miles 8, 14, 17, 20, and 23—and at additional locations.

The five on-course refill locations complement the race’s 25 traditional fluid stations and designed for easy run-in/run-out access to runners carrying their own cups, bottles, or hydration vests, with additional opportunities to refill throughout the race.

The Culligan water refill stations leverage proven science to deliver cleaner, better-tasting drinking water at high flow rates. Using high-capacity activated carbon filtration, the systems effectively reduce microplastics and unpleasant tastes or odors while ensuring high-quality hydration for participants. By refilling with filtered water, runners can reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles and traditional water coolers while expanding race-day hydration options. All containers must comply with NYRR safety and security guidelines.

“We’re proud to bring Culligan expertise in science, service and sustainability to one of the world’s most iconic races,” said Al Hamood, Culligan International president and chief operating officer. “Partnering with New York Road Runners to introduce innovative refill stations at the TCS New York City Marathon is one of many ways our teams are redefining hydration at endurance events globally, as we work to enhance runner experiences while protecting our planet.”

This extension of New York Road Runners' long-term partnership with Culligan reflects the organizations’ shared focus to develop more sustainable approaches to hydration. Culligan will continue to replace more than 200,000 single-use plastic water bottles with reusable and recyclable aluminum bottles for TCS New York City Marathon finishers and at race-week events, including the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K and TCS New York City Marathon Kids Kickoff.

HydraPak Brings Reusable Hydration to the TCS New York City Marathon

For the first time, New York Road Runners is partnering with HydraPak as an official licensee of the TCS New York City Marathon, giving runners another way to incorporate reusable hydration into their training and race-day experience. HydraPak will offer co-branded reusable bottles designed for runners to carry their own hydration during training, on race day, and beyond.

Together, the new Culligan water refill stations and HydraPak reusable hydration products create more opportunities for runners to choose a refill-and-reuse approach. By making reusable hydration more accessible, New York Road Runners, Culligan, and HydraPak hope to encourage sustainable habits that extend beyond race day while exploring solutions that can be applied across large-scale endurance events.