October means something powerful in New York City. Every year, thousands of survivors, caregivers, family members, friends, and community supporters lace up their shoes and take to the parks, boardwalks, and bridges of all five boroughs in honor of those affected by breast cancer. In 2026, two major weekends anchor the city’s breast cancer awareness season. The first is October 18, when the national Making Strides movement holds its signature Strides Live broadcast. The second is the weekend of October 24 and 25, when both the Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure and the remaining borough-level Making Strides walks take place.
This guide covers every event, every borough, every registration step, and every tip you need to make your participation count.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month in New York City
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the United States, and New York City embraces it more visibly than almost any other city in the country. Landmarks go pink. Businesses hang ribbons. Hospitals host education events. And tens of thousands of New Yorkers take part in walks and runs that raise millions of dollars for research, patient support, and early detection programs.
Breast cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Roughly 3,000 men are also diagnosed with it each year. Early detection, when the five-year survival rate exceeds 90 percent, depends heavily on the kind of awareness and screening access that fundraising events like these support. Every dollar raised and every mile walked directly funds that work.
In New York City, two major organizations drive the largest October events. The American Cancer Society organizes the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks across all five boroughs. Susan G. Komen organizes the Greater NYC Race for the Cure. Together, these events bring hundreds of thousands of participants into the streets each October.
NYC Breast Cancer Walk Calendar: October 2026
The two key dates in the NYC breast cancer calendar are October 18 and October 25, 2026.
| Date | Event | Location | Time |
| Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Making Strides of Central Park | Central Park, Manhattan | 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Making Strides of Queens | Flushing Meadows Corona Park | 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Strides Live National Broadcast | Online (MakingStridesWalk.org) | Noon ET |
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure | Foley Square, Manhattan | 8:00 a.m. to finish |
| Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Making Strides of Brooklyn | Coney Island Boardwalk and Maimonides Park | 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Making Strides of the Bronx | Bay Plaza Shopping Center, The Bronx | 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Making Strides of Staten Island | Midland Beach, Staten Island | 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
All Making Strides events are run rain or shine. Participants are encouraged to check local weather in advance and dress in layers. The approximate end time for each event is 12:30 p.m., though walkers finish at their own pace.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: Five Boroughs, One Movement
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is organized by the American Cancer Society and represents the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement. For three decades, these three- to five-mile non-competitive walks have united communities in a shared mission to fund research and provide support for survivors, caregivers, and those currently in treatment.
In New York City, the movement spans all five boroughs, with each event offering its own route through one of the city’s most iconic outdoor spaces.
Making Strides of Central Park — Manhattan
Central Park is the flagship venue for the Manhattan walk and one of the most attended Making Strides events in the country. Tens of thousands of participants gather at the Central Park Bandshell on the eastern side of the park for a powerful opening ceremony before setting off on a three- to five-mile walk through the park’s scenic pathways. The walk kicks off at 8:00 a.m. and the atmosphere is electric from the moment you arrive.
This event is the most accessible by public transit of all five borough walks. Multiple subway lines, buses, and the crosstown route all feed directly into the park’s east side entrances.
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Making Strides of Queens — Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Queens holds its walk at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, one of the largest parks in the city and home to the iconic Unisphere. The route offers wide, flat paths with views of the park’s lake and the surrounding skyline. It is an ideal event for families with strollers and participants of all fitness levels.
The park is accessible via the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point or Flushing-Main Street stations, with additional bus connections throughout Queens.
Open The Location in Google Maps:
Making Strides of Brooklyn — Coney Island Boardwalk and Maimonides Park
Brooklyn’s walk takes place along the Coney Island Boardwalk, one of the most beloved public spaces in the entire city. Participants walk along the ocean-facing boardwalk, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the colorful Coney Island landscape on the other. Maimonides Park serves as the staging area for registration, the opening ceremony, and post-walk activities.
The B and Q subway trains connect directly to Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue station, just steps from the event area. On October 25, this is a truly festive environment, often combining the energy of the walk with the last warm weekends of the year on the Brooklyn waterfront.
Check Directions on Google Maps:
Making Strides of the Bronx — Bay Plaza Shopping Center
The Bronx walk is held at Bay Plaza Shopping Center in the Co-op City area of the northeast Bronx. This venue offers excellent parking for participants driving from the outer boroughs, Westchester, or New Jersey. Several Bronx bus routes serve the area, and the event draws strong community participation from Bronx residents and neighboring communities.
The route takes walkers through the surrounding area, with a well-marked and supported course for participants of all abilities.
Making Strides of Staten Island — Midland Beach
Staten Island’s walk takes place at Midland Beach, a waterfront park on the eastern shore of the island. The flat beachside route makes it one of the most accessible and scenically enjoyable of all five events. Participants can bring strollers and leashed dogs, and the ocean backdrop makes it a particularly memorable morning.
Locate it on Google Maps:
Participants driving from other boroughs typically take the Staten Island Ferry and then connect by bus or rideshare. Parking is also available near Midland Beach for those arriving by car.
Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure: October 24, 2026
The 36th Annual Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan. This event features a unique route this year: participants walk across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge before returning to Foley Square for the closing celebration.
The event schedule runs as follows:
| Time | Activity |
| 8:00 a.m. | On-site registration opens |
| 8:30 a.m. | Hope Village Celebration for metastatic breast cancer community |
| 9:00 a.m. | Pathway of Hope and Survivor Parade |
| 9:15 a.m. | Opening ceremony begins |
| 9:30 a.m. | Race and walk begins |
The race is a 5K course. Whether you run, walk, or participate virtually, all formats are welcome and encouraged. This is a celebration of the entire breast cancer community, with special recognition for those living with metastatic breast cancer at the Hope Village Celebration.
Foley Square is located at 111 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013. It is directly accessible via the 4, 5, 6, J, Z, N, R, and W subway lines, as well as multiple bus routes through Lower Manhattan.
Registration: How to Sign Up for Each Event
Registration for all Making Strides events is free and open to everyone. There is no participation fee and no minimum fundraising requirement to register and walk. However, the American Cancer Society strongly encourages all participants to fundraise, since every dollar goes directly toward breast cancer research and patient support programs.
To register for a Making Strides event, visit MakingStridesWalk.org and search for your borough. Online pre-registration is recommended for faster check-in on the day of the event. Participants who do not pre-register can still check in at the event’s registration area upon arrival.
Registration for the Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure carries a fee. The 2026 pricing is as follows:
| Participant Type | Fee |
| Adult (in person) | $40 |
| Youth under 18 (in person) | $30 |
| Virtual Adult | $40 |
| Virtual Youth under 18 | $30 |
Participants who register for the Komen Race by Sunday, September 27, 2026, will have their event t-shirt mailed before race day. Those who register after that date will receive their shirt by mail after the event. No t-shirts will be available for collection at the venue on event day.
Both organizations offer team registration. Teams can be created during the individual registration process. Team captains recruit members, create a shared fundraising page, and coordinate their group’s participation on event day.
Fundraising: Goals, Tools, and Incentives
While Making Strides participation is free, fundraising is the heart of the movement. The American Cancer Society provides every registered participant with a personal fundraising page, access to the ACS FUNdraising app, and tools to create a Facebook fundraiser that connects to your Making Strides account.
Common fundraising strategies include:
- Setting a personal goal and sharing your fundraising page via email and social media
- Hosting a pre-walk fundraiser such as a bake sale, trivia night, or workplace collection
- Asking your employer whether they offer charitable gift matching programs
- Tagging your social posts with the event hashtag to build momentum
There is no mandatory minimum to participate in Making Strides events. However, teams and individuals who reach certain fundraising milestones receive recognition at the event, including special incentive gifts and the opportunity to be recognized during the opening ceremony.
For the Komen Race for the Cure, fundraising goes beyond the registration fee. Registered participants are encouraged to raise additional funds through personal fundraising pages. Those who raise at least $31 between July 6 and July 31, 2026, receive an exclusive pink Komen keychain. Fundraising tools and a community of supporters are available through the official Komen fundraising portal.
Survivor Celebrations and Special Recognition
One of the most meaningful parts of both events is the dedicated recognition of breast cancer survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer.
At Making Strides events, survivors are invited to register specifically as a survivor participant. This designation brings access to a special Survivor Tent at the event, where survivors can gather before the opening ceremony, connect with others, and receive special acknowledgment during the ceremony itself. Survivor t-shirts are often available in a distinct color to allow these participants to be visibly celebrated during the walk.
At the Komen Race for the Cure, the Hope Village Celebration at 8:30 a.m. is dedicated specifically to those living with metastatic breast cancer. The Pathway of Hope and Survivor Parade at 9:00 a.m. gives survivors the opportunity to walk as a recognized group before the main race begins. These are not sideline moments. They are the emotional center of the entire event.
Volunteer Opportunities
Both organizations rely heavily on volunteers to make these events possible. Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to participate if you are not walking yourself.
For Making Strides, volunteer roles include:
- Registration and check-in support
- Route marshaling and participant direction
- Opening ceremony and stage support
- Survivor tent coordination
- Post-walk cleanup and breakdown
Volunteers can sign up through the American Cancer Society volunteer portal at cancer.org. Some roles require prior attendance at a brief orientation session, which is typically held in the week before the event. The minimum age for most day-of volunteer roles is 17 years old.
For the Komen Race for the Cure, Susan G. Komen New York is actively recruiting volunteers for the Executive Leadership Committee and Race Operations Committee. These roles involve helping plan and execute the event in the months leading up to race day. If you are interested in a committee role, you can contact the Susan G. Komen New York office through the official Komen New York page at komen.org/community/new-york.
Corporate and Team Participation
Both events offer structured pathways for corporate participation.
For Making Strides, companies can register a corporate team, set a collective fundraising goal, and create a branded team page. This is an excellent employee engagement opportunity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many large New York employers field teams of hundreds of participants across multiple boroughs on the same day.
For the Komen Race for the Cure, corporate sponsorship packages are available for businesses looking for visibility at the event. Companies can also create Race Teams that enable employees to participate collectively with a shared fundraising goal. Employers who offer charitable gift matching are encouraged to connect their team’s fundraising total to their company’s match program.
If you are a business leader interested in corporate sponsorship or team participation for either event, reaching out to the organizing teams through their respective official websites before September is strongly recommended, since packages and team registration often fill early.
Family-Friendly Activities and Accessibility
Both events welcome participants of all ages and abilities. Strollers, wheelchairs, and leashed dogs are permitted at all Making Strides walks. The routes at Central Park, Flushing Meadows, Coney Island, and Midland Beach are all relatively flat and well-suited for families with young children.
Additionally, organizers place accessible restrooms, first aid stations, and rest areas along each route. Participants with mobility needs are encouraged to contact the local event team in advance to discuss any specific accommodations that might help make their experience more comfortable.
The Komen Race for the Cure at Foley Square is also family-friendly, with the Brooklyn Bridge route offering a safe, closed-traffic environment for the morning of the event. Youth participants under 18 register at a reduced fee, and the opening ceremony is designed to be inclusive and emotionally accessible for participants of all ages.
Transportation and Parking Guide
Getting to each event is manageable from across the five boroughs and from outside New York City.
| Event | Recommended Transit | Parking Notes |
| Central Park (Manhattan) | Subway to 72nd, 79th, 86th, or 96th St (B, C, 1, 2, 3) | Very limited; use public transit |
| Flushing Meadows (Queens) | 7 train to Mets-Willets Point or Flushing-Main St | Some parking available in park lots |
| Coney Island (Brooklyn) | B or Q train to Stillwell Ave | Street parking available nearby |
| Bay Plaza (The Bronx) | Bx10, Bx14, Bx28, Bx38 bus routes | Large shopping center parking lot |
| Midland Beach (Staten Island) | Staten Island Ferry then S78 or S79 bus | Free parking at Midland Beach |
| Foley Square (Manhattan) | 4, 5, 6, J, Z, N, R, W trains | Very limited; use public transit |
For participants arriving from outside New York City, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North, and New Jersey Transit all connect to major Manhattan transit hubs, from which subway connections to each event are straightforward.
Tips for First-Time Walkers
If this is your first time participating in one of these events, the following tips will help you get the most out of the experience.
- Register online before event day. It takes just a few minutes and guarantees faster check-in when you arrive.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before the opening ceremony. The ceremony itself is one of the most moving parts of the day, and you do not want to miss it.
- Wear comfortable, supportive footwear. A three- to five-mile walk on varied terrain calls for proper walking shoes, not sandals or dress shoes.
- Dress in layers. October mornings in New York City can be brisk, especially near the water at Coney Island or Midland Beach.
- Pink is encouraged but never required. Wearing pink is a tradition at these events, but what matters most is your presence, not your outfit.
- Set up your fundraising page before the walk. Even raising a small amount before event day adds to the collective total and gives your friends and family a way to support you.
- Bring water and a light snack. Most events have water stations along the route and refreshments at the finish, but having your own supplies is always a good idea.
- Take pictures and share them. Using the official event hashtags on social media helps spread awareness and encourages others to get involved.
- Walk at your own pace. These are non-competitive events. There is no pressure to finish quickly. The walk is about the journey, not the clock.
- Stay after the walk for the closing activities. Post-walk entertainment, sponsor areas, and community moments make the time after the finish line just as meaningful as the walk itself.
Strides Live: The National Broadcast on October 18
One of the most exciting additions to the Making Strides calendar is Strides Live, a unique one-hour national broadcast that takes place on October 18, 2026, at noon Eastern Time. The broadcast showcases survivors and community highlights from Making Strides events across the country and streams online at MakingStridesWalk.org, on Facebook, and on YouTube.
New Yorkers who are unable to attend in person can participate in Strides Live from home, share the broadcast with their networks, and contribute or follow along using the hashtag StridesLive. This digital extension of the movement ensures that every supporter, regardless of their location or physical ability, can be part of the October 18 celebration.
Conclusion
October 2026 brings New York City together through two of the most powerful breast cancer awareness events in the country. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events take place across all five boroughs on October 18 and October 25, offering free, non-competitive three- to five-mile walks through some of the city’s most iconic outdoor spaces, from Central Park to the Coney Island Boardwalk to Midland Beach. The Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure returns on October 24 at Foley Square, with participants crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in a 5K route that raises funds for breast cancer research and patient support. Registration for Making Strides events is free and open to everyone with no minimum fundraising requirement.
The Komen Race registration fee is $40 for adults and $30 for youth. Both events offer team registration, corporate participation pathways, survivor celebrations, volunteer opportunities, and family-friendly programming. Transportation by subway and bus is available to every event venue. Whether you walk, run, fundraise, volunteer, or simply show up in pink, your participation makes a difference in the lives of the more than 300,000 Americans who receive a breast cancer diagnosis each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to participate in the NYC Making Strides walks?
No. Registration for all Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks in NYC is completely free. There is no participation fee and no minimum fundraising requirement to register and walk. However, all participants are strongly encouraged to fundraise through their personal ACS fundraising page, since every dollar raised goes directly toward breast cancer research and patient support.
How do I register for the NYC Making Strides events?
Visit MakingStridesWalk.org and search for your borough to register online. You can choose to walk as an individual, join an existing team, or create your own team. Online pre-registration is strongly recommended for faster check-in on event day. Walk-up registration is also available at each venue.
What is the difference between Making Strides and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure?
The American Cancer Society organizes Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and hosts free, non-competitive three- to five-mile walks across all five New York City boroughs. The Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure is a paid 5K event at Foley Square in Lower Manhattan, with registration fees of $40 for adults and $30 for youth. Both organizations fund breast cancer research and patient services, but they operate independently and support different programs.
Can I bring my children or dog to these events?
Yes. All Making Strides events welcome children and leashed dogs. The routes at Central Park, Flushing Meadows, Coney Island, and Midland Beach are family-friendly and stroller-accessible. The Komen Race for the Cure at Foley Square is also family-friendly, with youth registration available at a reduced fee of $30.
How can I volunteer at the NYC breast cancer walk events in October 2026?
For Making Strides events, volunteer registration is available through the American Cancer Society at cancer.org. Volunteer roles include check-in support, route marshaling, survivor tent coordination, and event setup. Most roles require participants to be at least 17 years old. For the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, volunteer and committee opportunities are available through the Komen New York office at komen.org/community/new-york.
