New York Road Runners (NYRR) is a non-profit running organization based in New York City whose mission is to help and inspire people through running. It was founded in 1958 by Ted Corbitt with 47 members and has since grown to membership of more than 60,000. NYRR serves nearly 600,000 runners of all ages and abilities annually through hundreds of races, community open runs, walks, training sessions, and other running-related programming, with 267,000 youth participating in free fitness programs and events nationally, including 134,000 in New York City’s five boroughs.
Organization
NYRR is headed by President and CEO Michael Capiraso and President, Events, and TCS New York City Marathon Race Director Peter Ciaccia.
Races
Races are held nearly every weekend and include such perennials as:
- TCS New York City Marathon
- United Airlines NYC Half
- More/Fitness/SHAPE Women's Half-Marathon, a women's only race
- Brooklyn Half
- UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, a men's professional and mass race in Central Park in May
- NYRR Queens 10K
- New York Mini 10K, a women's only 10Â km race in June
- New Balance Bronx 10-Mile
- New Balance 5th Avenue Mile
- NYRR Staten Island Half
- NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K, held on Marathon Weekend
- NYRR Midnight Run, a four-mile race around Central Park beginning at Midnight on New Year's Eve
Membership
The NYRR membership program is an important part of New York’s premier running community and provides runners of all ages with opportunities for achievement at every fitness level. NYRR members are eligible for guaranteed entry into the TCS New York City Marathon for a given year through the organization’s 9+1 program by completing nine qualifying NYRR-sponsored road races during the previous calendar year, volunteering for at least one race, and maintaining their membership during the marathon year. Members also receive discounts on race-entry fees and to NYRR Running Classes.
NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub
New York Road Runners’ mission to help and inspire people through running has been brought to life in a new community running center. In addition to serving as the spot for number pickup, the NYRR RUNCENTER is home to the 1 for You 1 for Youth program. For each pair of shoes purchased at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub, New Balance will donate a pair of shoes to NYRR’s youth programs. New York Road Runners will give the shoes to a participant in the programs*.
The NYRR RUNCENTER showcases the latest in running education, training, and innovation. It serves as a meeting place for all members of the running communityâ€"youth, adult runners of all ages and abilities, and club teamsâ€"to come together to improve their health, fitness, and overall well-being.
The NYRR RUNCENTER also hosts a variety of running-related events and programs and is the headquarters for NYRR’s runner services, which includes distribution of bibs and souvenirs for NYRR’s weekly races, course strategy, and NYRR Group Training.
Located just off of Columbus Circle and easily accessible via multiple subway and bus lines, the NYRR RUNCENTER is just a short jog from the running meccas of Central Park and the Hudson River Greenway. The RUNCENTER's location is aimed to inspire the surrounding communityâ€"as well as those coming to run in NYCâ€"to get moving in the city’s parks and streets. Lockers are available to those looking to store their belongings while out on a run.
The NB Run Hub in NYC is the pinnacle expression of New Balance Performance Running, offering the most innovative gear and exclusive programming, like Test Run. Through the Test Run initiative, runners have an opportunity to try out the latest NB running gear and technology, often before it launches anywhere else in the world.
*1 FOR YOU 1 FOR YOUTH DISCLOSURE: For every pair of athletic shoes sold to a customer at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub in New York City, New Balance shall donate a pair of new athletic shoes to New York Road Runners, a 501(c)(3) public charity, for the benefit of a New York Road Runners supported youth program, up to a maximum value of $500,000 based on New Balance’s then current wholesale pricing. This Promotion shall run from December 12, 2016 to December 31, 2017. For more information about New York Road Runners visit nyrr.org.
Information Kiosk
NYRR operates an information kiosk for runners located on the bridle path near Central Park’s East Drive at the East 90th Street entrance (Engineers’ Gate). Staffed by NYRR Runner Services, the information kiosk is open to answer runners' questions about the park or NYRR events. The information kiosk also serves as the starting point for many of the NYRR running programs.
NYRR Foundation
The NYRR Foundation was founded in 1998 to carry out the youth service mission of the New York Road Runners. NYRR Foundation’s goal is to promote health, well-being, and personal achievement among under-served children with little or no access to athletic programming. Various programs are all designed to help youth of all sizes, fitness levels and athletic talents utilize the discipline of running to improve health, build character and uplift the spirit. In 2007, NYRR Foundation programs serve more than 20,000 kids per week from over 150 schools and community centers participating in NYRR Foundation programs in New York City and across the country.
Abebe Bikila Award
The club gives out the Abebe Bikila Award annually in recognition of individuals who have contributed to the sport of running. First awarded in 1978 and named in honor of Olympic marathon winner Abebe Bikila, the award is presented in November immediately before the start of NYRR's International Friendship Run.
Running Programs
Central Park Safety Program
Founded by Deborah Marie King (1947â€"2000), the Central Park Safety Program is a New York City Official Civilian Observation Patrol Program. Volunteers are trained and patrol in pairs, each wearing an orange vest and equipped with a radio that is linked to the NYPD’s 19th Precinct. According to Ms. King, "if we wish to move freely and safely, we should share responsibility with the police, the park’s personnel, and each other. This comprehensive safety program represents community crime prevention at its very best.†Safety Program pairs patrol weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Senior Fitness Program
NYRR conducts free guided group walks through Central Park of up to 3 miles, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Groups meet at the NYRR Information Kiosk. This program is open to men and women age 60 and over, there is no pre-registration, and NYRR membership is not required.
Group Runs
Group runs meet at the NYRR Information Kiosk. Meeting times are Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. A NYRR staff member is present for the start of all runs, and evening runs are led by a group leader who tries to accommodate the fitness and pace levels of all participants. This program is free and open to all runners, there is no pre-registration, and NYRR membership is not required.
Running Classes
Group-based running classes are led by the NYRR Coaching Staff These are 10-week sessions.
References
External links
- Official Site
- 2017 Race Calendar
- NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub