New York Road Runners
Encyclopedia
New York Road Runners 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.
’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.
and across the country.
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. Radcliffe named as Abebe Bikila Award Winner. IAAF/NYRR (2006-10-28). Retrieved on 2010-10-31.
and his wife Shelly lead running classes through the NYRR. These are 10-week sessions.
Races
Races are held nearly every weekend and include such perennial races as:- New York City MarathonNew York City MarathonThe New York City Marathon is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 45,103 finishers in 2010...
- Fifth Avenue MileFifth Avenue MileThe Fifth Avenue Mile is an annual road race in New York City. The race begins at East 80th Street and heads straight down Fifth Avenue to East 60th Street...
- 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'KearneyDara O'KearneyDara O'Kearney, born 17 June 1965 in Ennis, County Clare, is an Irish international ultra runner and professional poker player. He is the son of Irish language activist and writer Sean Ua Cearnaigh, and nephew of Irish politician Chris Flood....
- Empire State BuildingEmpire State BuildingThe Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
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.Information Kiosk
NYRR operates an information kiosk for runners, located on the bridle path near Central ParkCentral Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
’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 CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and across the country.
Abebe Bikila Award
The club gives out the Abebe Bikila AwardAbebe Bikila Award
The Abebe Bikila Award is an annual prize given by the New York Road Runners club to honour individuals who have made a significant contribution to the sport of long-distance running. The first recipient of the award was Ted Corbitt, a founder of both NYRR and the Road Runners Club of America, who...
annually in recognition of individuals who have contributed to the sport of running
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
. First awarded in 1978 and named in honour of Olympic marathon winner Abebe Bikila
Abebe Bikila
Abebe Bikila was a two-time Olympic marathon champion from Ethiopia. A stadium in Addis Ababa is named in his honor.-1932–1959:...
, the award is presented in November immediately before the start of NYRR's International Friendship Run. Radcliffe named as Abebe Bikila Award Winner. IAAF/NYRR (2006-10-28). Retrieved on 2010-10-31.
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.” 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 GloverBob Glover
Bob Glover is best known as an author of instructional running books. He is author of the book The Runner's Handbook : The Bestselling Classic Fitness Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Runners, which is a best-seller trade paperback. Another Glover book, The Competitive Runner's Handbook has...
and his wife Shelly lead running classes through the NYRR. These are 10-week sessions.