A running team is ready to turn miles into meaningful support.
In the wake of rising tension over civil rights concerns, Queens Distance Runners (QDR) will kick off their race calendar with the Immigrants Run NYC 5K in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Saturday, Feb. 14. For its second consecutive year, in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and NICE (New Immigrant Community Empowerment), participants will have a chance to connect with said organizations and learn about resources to protect immigrant neighbors.
Previously known as the “For the Love of Queens 5K,” QDR organizers rebranded the race to better reflect their support for families and communities that have raised fears over ICE raids across the city. The proceeds from the race will be “evenly shared” with NICE to strengthen professional development among immigrant workers, as originally noted in the Details section of the registration page.
As an organization that has advocated for a socially inclusive running scene since 2013, QDR is leveraging the power of collective movement to assist those most impacted by immigration policy.
“This Valentine’s Day, love means more than roses to us. It means showing up for immigrant runners, making space at the starting line, and running with purpose,” according to a QDR newsletter sent to subscribers on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
The borough’s longstanding reputation as the most ethnically diverse region in the world encourages locals to demonstrate defiance against anti-immigrant sentiment. Within the running community, runners have made the sport a welcoming avenue for all, regardless of background.
In the call for resistance, participants are signing up for the 5K to show their opposition to policies that have vastly targeted minority communities.
The 3.1-mile journey involves three brisk loops of the USATF-certified course, complete with views of the Unisphere and the New York State Pavilion. At the finish line, runners will enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while listening to beats from a live DJ. All are encouraged to cheer on for the remaining participants, enriching the atmosphere for everyone involved. The top three male, female and nonbinary runners from the following seven age groups will also be awarded, adding a friendly competitive edge: 19 and Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.
As of press time, nearly 300 runners have registered for the Immigrants Run NYC 5K, which is slated to begin at 8 a.m. If you’re planning to commute to Flushing Meadows Corona Park via public transportation, take the Queens-bound 7 train to Mets-Willets Point for direct access. Before toeing the start line, head over to the Unisphere to pick up your packet.
Don’t miss your chance to run the first 2026 QDR race while supporting an important initiative — whether that includes gifting or sponsoring a race entry to the 5K for Valentine’s Day.
“It is a simple truth, yet we believe we must continue to do more for our communities, including our immigrant community,” QDR stated on its Instagram.
For further inquiries regarding the race, contact qdrunners@gmail.com. To register for other QDR races and/or attend weekly neighborhood runs, visit their website.
