04/13/2026
Citizens Opens Applications for 2026 Miles That Matter Awards
Five inspiring New Yorkers will win a TCS New York City Marathon bib and $20,000 grant to a local charity
NEW YORK– April 13, 2026 – Five New York runners who are driving meaningful impact in their communities will now be able to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon with the second annual Citizens Miles that Matter award, Citizens announced today.
To honor the 50th anniversary of the first New York City Marathon to unite all five boroughs, five award recipients— each representing Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island—will be recognized for their commitment to service and community impact. Each winner will receive a $20,000 grant to a New York Road Runners Official Charity Partner of their choosing, as well as a complimentary entry to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of Team Citizens, earning the opportunity to run through all five boroughs of their home city in one of the world's most iconic races.
"The Citizens Miles That Matter Awards recognize New Yorkers who lead with purpose and create positive change in their communities," said Rebecca O'Connell, New York Metro Market President at Citizens. "This year's awards will give five New Yorkers a chance to run their hometown marathon while celebrating the unique stories and neighborhoods that make New York City so special."
The awards, launched in partnership with New York Road Runners (NYRR), honor purpose driven runners whose marathon journeys reflect resilience and community impact. The grants, from the Citizens Philanthropic Foundation, will be directed to NYRR Charity partners located within the five boroughs, supporting local community initiatives in each runners' honor.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course and the 20th anniversary of the New York Road Runners Official Charity Partner Program, NYRR - the nonprofit organization that produces the TCS New York City Marathon and 60 annual adult and youth races - has expanded the Official Charity Partner Program, and has set a goal of raising more than $100 million to give back to the communities that have supported the New York City Marathon for 50 years.
To apply, interested candidates should visit www.NYCMilesThatMatter.com and complete the application process. Official rules, including eligibility, entry and submission requirements, and additional instructions are provided on the contest website. Applications will be accepted from April 10 through April 20.
Citizens' Commitment to New York City
Since expanding into New York in 2022, Citizens has been committed to becoming part of the city's fabric, building partnerships that expand economic opportunity, invest in workforce development, and celebrate the culture, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of New Yorkers. Through collaborations with organizations like New York Road Runners, Queens Night Market, LISC, Pursuit, and New York Restoration Project, Citizens is dedicated to helping create a stronger, more vibrant future for the city. As the Official Bank and Foundation Partner of New York Road Runners, Citizens is proud to partner on seven NYC races including the Citizens Queens 10K and the TCS NYC Marathon.
Since 2022, the bank has invested more than $15 million in philanthropic giving across the Tri-State Metro. As part of Citizens recently announced $20 million national investment to support workforce development programs, more than $5 million will be for organizations in the New York Metro area that enhance educational and career opportunities and promote economic mobility while addressing the affordability crisis.
About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation's oldest and largest financial institutions, with $226.4 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail, private banking, wealth management and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens helps its customers reach their potential by listening to them and by understanding their needs in order to offer tailored advice, ideas and solutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens provides an integrated experience that includes mobile and online banking, a full-service customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,100 ATMs and approximately 1,000 branches in 14 states and the District of Columbia. Consumer Banking products and services include a full range of banking, lending, savings, wealth management and small business offerings. Consumer Banking includes Citizens Private Bank and Private Wealth, which integrate banking services and wealth management solutions to serve high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers a broad complement of financial products and solutions, including lending and leasing, deposit and treasury management services, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risk management solutions, as well as loan syndication, corporate finance, merger and acquisition, and debt and equity capital markets capabilities. More information is available at www.citizensbank.com or visit us on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.
