Every November, tens of thousands of runners cross the finish line of the TCS New York City Marathon. Most have trained for months, pushed through injuries, woken up before dawn for long runs in the dark. But for a small group of runners in matching gear, the motivation goes deeper than a finish time.
They’re running for Friendship Circle of Brooklyn.
What Is Team Friendship?
Team Friendship is Friendship Circle International’s official charity running team for the TCS New York City Marathon and the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. When you run with Team Friendship, you receive a guaranteed charity bib entry — no lottery, no waiting — and you raise funds that go directly to Friendship Circle programs in Brooklyn and across New York City.
Team Friendship runners receive:
- Guaranteed charity bib entry to the NYC Marathon (no lottery required)
- A personalized fundraising page
- Team Friendship gear
- Community support from other Team Friendship runners
- The knowledge that your miles are funding something that matters
Who Is Friendship Circle of Brooklyn?
Friendship Circle of Brooklyn is a nonprofit organization based at 792 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. We pair teen volunteers with children and individuals with special needs for weekly home visits, holiday programs, summer camps, and community events.
The work is simple on the surface. A teenager shows up at a family’s home, sits with a child who has autism or Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, and they do something together — play a game, do a craft, go for a walk. Week after week, that consistency builds something neither of them expected: a real friendship.
Friendship Circle of Brooklyn is part of Friendship Circle International, a global network of over 80 chapters in communities across North America and beyond. In New York City, we operate chapters in Brooklyn, the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Lower Manhattan, and Queens through the broader Friendship Circle NYC network.
Why Run the NYC Marathon for Friendship Circle Brooklyn?
The NYC Marathon is one of the greatest running events in the world. More than 50,000 runners. Five boroughs. Two million spectators. There’s nothing like it.
Running it for a cause changes the experience entirely. The hard miles have a reason. The fundraising conversations become a chance to tell a story you care about. And crossing that finish line — knowing your run funded visits to Brooklyn families who needed them — is something that stays with you long after the medal comes off.
When you run with Team Friendship, your fundraising directly supports:
- Weekly Friends at Home visits for children with special needs in Brooklyn
- Holiday programs — Purim parties, Chanukah celebrations, Passover Seders — for families across Brooklyn
- Teen volunteer training and coordination
- Summer programming for children with special needs
- Bar and Bat Mitzvah volunteering projects for Brooklyn teens
How to Join Team Friendship for the NYC Marathon
Joining is straightforward:
- Visit friendshipcircle.com/nyc-marathon-2026
- Fill out the interest form
- Our team will follow up with details on the charity bib and fundraising minimum
- Start training, start fundraising, and show up on race day with a reason to run
If you’re more interested in a shorter distance, we also have Team Friendship spots for the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon 2026.
What Runners Say About Team Friendship
The Team Friendship experience is different from just running for a charity you found online. When you raise money for Friendship Circle Brooklyn, you’re connected to something local and tangible. You can visit the families you’re helping. You can see the programs running. You’re not sending money into a black box — you’re funding visits that happen every week in Brooklyn neighborhoods you probably know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to qualify for the NYC Marathon to run with Team Friendship?
No. Charity runners with Team Friendship receive a guaranteed bib entry through Friendship Circle’s charity program. You do not need to enter the lottery or meet a qualifying time standard.
How much do I need to raise to run with Team Friendship NYC Marathon?
Fundraising minimums vary by year and are confirmed when you register. Visit our NYC Marathon page for current details.
Where do the funds go?
Funds raised through Team Friendship support Friendship Circle programs in Brooklyn and across New York City — primarily the Friends at Home visits, holiday programming, and teen volunteer coordination at Friendship Circle Brooklyn.
Can I run the NYC Half Marathon instead?
Yes. Team Friendship also participates in the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. Visit friendshipcircle.com/nyc-half-2026 to learn more.
Is Friendship Circle of Brooklyn a registered charity?
Yes. Friendship Circle of Brooklyn is a registered nonprofit organization. Friendship Circle International, which coordinates the Team Friendship NYC Marathon program, is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations made through your fundraising page are tax-deductible.
Ready to run? Join Team Friendship for the NYC Marathon 2026 and run the greatest race in the world for kids in Brooklyn who need a friend.