The 10th Run for Children’s Smile (Bieg o Uśmiech Dziecka), a milestone jubilee edition, organized by Children’s Smile Foundation, took place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Forest Park, New York. Runners, sponsors and donors raised more than $16,000 for sick and underprivileged children – the largest amount in the event’s history.
The race was originally set for September 27, but a nor’easter and the state of emergency declared by Governor Kathy Hochul forced organizers to cancel it. The new date turned out to be a lucky one: a sunny Sunday, with Forest Park in full autumn color. About 180 to 200 people came. Half of them ran, and their families and friends cheered them on.
Several generations took part. The youngest participant was 4 years old and the oldest 76. Children up to age 12 ran 1,000 meters; teens 13 and older and adults ran 5 kilometers.
Ten editions since 2015
Wojciech Maślanka, executive director of Children’s Smile Foundation, welcomed the guests and thanked sponsors, donors and runners. Mariusz Śniarowski, the foundation’s former president and the run’s co-founder, recalled how it all started in 2015 and noted that the pandemic interrupted the series, which is why the anniversary edition came this year.
The run was held under the honorary patronage of Mateusz Sakowicz, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York. Vice Consul Dawid Pietrusiak spoke on his behalf, congratulated the organizers and joked that in another ten years he hoped to meet everyone at a marathon, not a 5K.
Rev. Sławomir Szucki, associate pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka parish in Greenpoint, led a prayer and blessed the runners, standing in for the pastor and foundation chaplain, Rev. Grzegorz Markulak. He said this race has no losers, because everyone runs for someone else. Monika Kwolek of Polska Running Team explained the rules and the course.
A win for one of the run’s founders
The fastest 5K runner was Artur Tyszuk, in 20 minutes and 40 seconds. He also won in 2023, and he co-founded the event: the idea came from a conversation with Mariusz Śniarowski, who told him: you run, I work with a charity, so let’s do something together for sick children.
The women’s race was won by 14-year-old Lena Olk in 26 minutes and 18 seconds. Two years ago she won the children’s 1K; this year she ran 5K for the first time. She admitted she had not expected to win.
Results
5K – men
- 1. Artur Tyszuk – 20:40.10
- 2. Vyacheslav Tsyganets – 21:11.50
- 3. Alex Ryndak – 22:16.90
5K – women
- 1. Lena Olk – 26:18.10
- 2. Agnieszka Pawlikowska – 26:31.70
- 3. Maya Bałdyga – 27:10.10
1K – boys
- 1. Adam Tarnawski
- 2. Tomasz Rusin
- 3. Liam Sarmiento
1K – girls
- 1. Sophie Boczon
- 2. Heidi Figiel-Lamczak
- 3. Aranella Pienczykowska
Medals, T-shirts and thanks
Winners received medals, trophies and gifts from the main sponsor, Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, represented by Elżbieta Ringer and Alicja Olszówka of its Maspeth branch. Every runner got a commemorative T-shirt and an anniversary medal, and all guests enjoyed sweets from Syrena Bakery.
The event was also supported by ETS Contracting, Perecman Firm P.L.L.C., TM Construction of New York, Belvedere Bridge, Joanna Gwozdz Attorney at Law, PDP Contracting, AMN Construction, Kurzatkowski Law Group, Pulaski Association of Business and Professional Men, Victoria Consulting & Development, FT Services & Distribution, Green & Szymanski Law Offices, Vision Financial Planning, Arthur’s Funeral Home, Allstate Insurance – Robert Dworniczak, All NYC Safety & Training, L & Z Restoration Consulting, Maven Construction, Maleni Group, Everest Agency, Greenpoint Insurance Brokerage, JEPOL Construction, Maurice Building Supplies, Eagle New York, Heller Law Firm, and the John Paul II Polish Language and Culture School in Maspeth. Media patrons were Biały Orzeł, Kurier Plus, Nowy Dziennik, Super Express, Tygodnik Plus, Bazarynka.com, Dziennik Polonijny (Poland.us), Zza Oceanu and Radio RAMPA.
The money raised will help sick and underprivileged children in the foundation’s care. The run was organized by Children’s Smile Foundation together with Polska Running Team. Learn more at childrenssmilefoundation.org.
Photos: Wojtek Maślanka
