October 23rd, 2012 
New York City is filled with an assortment of organizations dedicated to different causes and ideas. But one of the ones that really captured my attention was the New York Road Runners. The first time I heard about the New York Road Runners was when two of my friends invited me to join them as volunteers at one of the local races. I was confused. What could I possibly do as a volunteer at a race? It seemed like an odd way to spend my Sunday morning. But the more I learned, the more I understood just how influential and inspiring Road Runners is.
(Photo Credit: Ultraclay.com)
Wanting to help people become healthier, happier and more active, Road Runners is an organization that has expanded from a small running club to one of the most prominent contributors to the running movement over the past few decades. The group focuses both on today’s runners, involving themselves in marathons like the renowned ING NYC Marathon, but also on the runners of tomorrow and upcoming generations, hosting kids races and youth-focused events.
New York Road Runners also offers training programs, in which runners can train for half marathons and marathons and take a series of classes in things like core and strength training as well as yoga. The organization has several coached adult and kid’s programs and, overall, is dedicated to improving your fitness and running ability.
(Photo Credit: Nycgo.com)
You can also volunteer for Road Runners. Volunteers for the Road Runners can participate in an array of events ranging from road races to cross country races to indoor track meets and community service events and projects that are conducted in collaboration with other groups, such as the Central Park Conservancy, the Prospect Park Alliance and New York Cares.
Volunteers can run, or they can support runners in many ways like in the various organizational tasks that need to be carried out for the race to run smoothly on the day itself. Proceeds from Road Runners events go to organizations such as the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the Children’s Hospital Boston, Hope for the Warriors, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
(Photo Credit: Nycgo.com)
Road Runners is one of those organizations that both gives and takes in equilibrium. They offer you a way to give back to your community and to support others while helping you to stay healthy and happy at the same time. So look out for the next Road Runners event, and get involved!
WHERE:
New York Road Runners
9 East 89th Street
New York, NY, 10128
Ph. 212-860-4455
HOURS:
Monday -Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
I’m hugely glituy of this, and probably the inspiration for that question. I was upset because I finished 40 minutes slower than expected, that’s a chunk, not just 5 minutes. I felt awful out there too, there wasn’t a whole lot of fun being had. Sorry to have clogged your Twitter stream with negativity!