- New York Road Runners
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NYRR Logo
New York Road Runners (NYRR), founded in 1958 with 47 members, has grown into the foremost running organization, with a membership of 40,000. NYRR conducts more than 100 events each year, including races, classes, clinics, and lectures. In addition, the NYRR Foundation creates school-based running teams through Running Partners, a youth development program serving schools with few or no recreation programs.
Contents
Organization
NYRR is headed by the current President and CEO, Mary Wittenberg.
Races
Races are held nearly every weekend and include such perennial races as:
- New York City Marathon
- Fifth Avenue Mile
- NYC Half Marathon
- More Magazine Marathon and Half-Marathon, a women's only race for women over 40 years of age
- NYRR New York Mini, a women's only 10 km race
- Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a fun-race around Central Park beginning at Midnight on New Year's Eve
- NYRR Knickerbocker, a 60km (37.2mi) race. Former winners include the professional poker player Dara O'Kearney
- Empire State Building Run Up
- Salsa, Blues & Shamrock 5k, run before St. Patrick's Day
Membership
NYRR members are eligible for guaranteed entry into the ING New York City Marathon for a given year by completing nine qualifying NYRR-sponsored road races during the previous calendar year, volunteering at least one race, and maintaining their membership the marathon year. Members also pay lower race-entry fees.[1]
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 volunteers, 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 honour of Olympic marathon winner Abebe Bikila, the award is presented in November immediately before the start of NYRR's International Friendship Run.[2]
Running Programs
Central Park Safety Program
Founded by Deborah Marie King (1947-2000), 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.”[3] 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 memberships is not required.
Running Classes
Author and Coach Bob Glover and his wife Shelly lead running classes through the NYRR. These are 10-week sessions.
References
- ^ Company Information: NYRR, New York Road Runners Membership Benefits
- ^ Radcliffe named as Abebe Bikila Award Winner. IAAF/NYRR (2006-10-28). Retrieved on 2010-10-31.
- ^ Company Information: NYRR, Central Park Safety Program
External links
Categories:- Running clubs
- Road running in the United States
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