Amihan Filipino Run is back in Queens on Apr 11th  

Queens Distance Runners (QDR) is proud to announce the return of its Cultural Run Series, beginning with the AmihanFilipinoRun on April 11 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The four-mile race marks the revival of a tradition that began in 2016, when QDR first organized community-centered runs celebrating the cultures that define Queens.

What started as a handful of grassroots events has since grown into a borough-wide running movement, including a full race calendar and the Queens Marathon Weekend, which now attracts thousands of participants annually. Yet even as QDR expands – it now has 700 members — its mission remains rooted in community.

The Amihan Filipino Run is a celebration of Queens’s vibrant Filipino community and a tribute to the spirit of connection that fuels the borough. The race also introduces a new visual identity inspired by Amihan, the wind deity in Filipino mythology, symbolizing movement, renewal, and forward momentum. Designed with elements of wind, flight, and the rising sun, the logo reflects both cultural pride and the energy of the running community.

“We started these cultural runs in 2016 to reflect the communities that make Queens the most diverse borough in the world,” said Kevin Montalvo, founder of Queens Distance Runners. “As we’ve grown into something much bigger, a full race calendar, a marathon weekend with genuine momentum, it’s important that we don’t lose that foundation. Bringing back the Filipino Run is about continuing to create spaces where culture and running come together in Queens.”

The Amihan Filipino Run will feature a four-loop course totaling four miles and is part of the Queens Crew Cup series. Runners of all levels are encouraged to participate.

The event is made possible in part through the contributions of Christine Jeanjaquet, owner of The August Tree at the Queens Museum, whose leadership and vision helped shape the race’s identity.

“We are ecstatic that QDR’s first cultural race for the year is the Amihan Filipino Run.  Celebrating Queens’ multiculturalism with this event as we give a spotlight to FilAms is a great way to be part of our growing barangay. Come run with us! After the run, have some Tsokolate Eh from Unisphere Café and goodies from Arellano Pandesal as you meet new friends.”

Founded in 2013, Queens Distance Runners is a grassroots nonprofit running organization dedicated to organizing affordable, community-centered races that celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Queens. Through races and group runs, QDR aims to build healthier, more connected communities across New York City’s most diverse borough. Year-long races are available for registration on queensdistance.org