Join QCP at the NYC Marathon!

The TCS New York City Marathon is just around the corner, and Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) and the Queens Economic Development Corp (QEDC) invite you to be part of the excitement at their official cheer section in Long Island City!

The QCP Cheer Section kicks off on Sunday, November 2nd at 10am at 44th Drive and 21st Street, just south of the 21st Street subway exit adjacent to Key Food. Expect a lively crowd ready to cheer, wave signs, and fill the streets with true Queens pride.

Now in its 15th year, the QCP Cheer Station has become a beloved local tradition. As an official NYRR Charity Partner, QCP will celebrate both the marathon spirit and the achievements of TeamQCP, a dedicated group of runners raising funds and awareness for people with developmental disabilities.

Adding to the excitement, Achilles International athletes with disabilities and their volunteer guides will join the celebration, running and cheering alongside QCP supporters. Students from John Bowne High School’s Arista Honor Society, Cardozo High School's Key Club, and Townsend Harris High School will also bring extra energy with a School Spirit Showdown, competing to see who can cheer the loudest and show the most Queens pride. Their friendly rivalry promises to make the QCP cheer section even more spirited and unforgettable.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. and Councilmember James F. Gennaro are also expected to stop by and help welcome runners to Queens, celebrating the borough’s signature unity, diversity, and community spirit.

“The cheer section is an opportunity for residents of Queens to unite and show the world what we’re made of,” said Wendy Phaff Gennaro, Director of Development at QCP. “The energy we bring gives runners a boost and reminds us how powerful our community can be when we come together.”

“Queens is already the most exciting borough in New York—but as you can see by our cheer zone, we’re also the most excited cheerers in the city,” added Ben Guttmann, Executive Director of QEDC. “We’re home to the most diverse and vibrant communities anywhere around—and the world would be better if it were more like Queens.”

Grab your signs, bring your friends, and help QCP welcome the world to Queens on November 2nd! If your school would like to join the fun, or if you know students interested in participating in the School Spirit Showdown, please contact Meliza Santiago (msantiago@queenscp.org) to learn how to get involved.

ABOUT QCP

Queens Centers for Progress is committed to providing person-centered services and support to children and adults who have developmental disabilities. The goal of these services and support is to promote independence, community involvement, and quality of life. The organization offers a comprehensive array of services to meet the needs of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families.

For more information, please contact Wendy Phaff Gennaro at (718) 380-3000, ext. 325, or via email at WPhaffGennaro@queenscp.org.

ABOUT QEDC

The Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive economy in Queens by creating and retaining jobs, empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs, and supporting community organizations. Through business assistance, neighborhood revitalization, and tourism promotion, QEDC strengthens the borough’s economic foundation and ensures equitable access to opportunity, innovation, and long-term prosperity for all communities.

For more information, please contact QEDC at info@queensny.org or call 718-263-0546.