#NationalRunningDay in NYC with the NYRR Club!

As I wrote about yesterday (see National Running Day and Westin Hotel’s Introduction of Run with a View),  today – June 3rd – is National Running Day.  This day has grown a lot since it began six years ago.  There is even an official website for National Running Day where you can find local runs, charity events, share social media and even find National Running Day deals.

Giddy with National Running Day excitement, I went running at about 6:30 a.m. this morning.  I knew that NYRR had many special events planned – including some special giveaways.  Who am I to miss an event or a giveaway?  Two events in Manhattan stood out:

6:00-10:00 a.m., Breakfast Run
Visit NYRR’s 9 East 89th Street location for breakfast and the opportunity to meet local runners and Coach John for training tips before or after your morning run. Lockers and restroom facilities are available. Be among the first runners to get a free five-borough bandana, while supplies last.

6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Central Park Water Station and Giveaways
We will be there all day! Come find us at the East 90th Street entrance (Engineers’ Gate) before or after your run, quench your thirst at the complimentary water station, and get a five-borough bandana, while supplies last. 

I stopped first at the NYRR headquarters located on East 89th Street.  There were a few people there – runners and NYRR staff, including Mary Wittenberg, former President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Road Runners.  How exciting!  I received a bandana, chatted a bit and proceeded to the entrance of Central Park, where I saw other runners and NYRR employees.  Peter Ciaccia, NYRR’s current President, Events and TCS New York City Marathon Race Director, was there greeting runners, as was Gordon Bakoulis.  I don’t know Gordon’s formal title with NYRR, but she has been a leader and shining light in the New York running community as an author, a journalist, a coach, and a freaking fast runner (winning countless races and qualifying for the US Olympic marathon trials many times) since I started running.

What made me smile about this morning was the relaxed comfort between staff and members. This was reminiscent of the NYRR that I joined 22 years ago – a club that looked out for its members.  Back then, the NYRR had an almost grass-roots feeling to it.

After my run, I stopped back in at the club.  On the second floor, there was an assortment of juices, bagels and coffee for runners and staff.

Here are some photos from my morning:

You could fill out this bib, saying why you run. Why do you run?

I like this sign on the NYRR wall!

I am happy that I found running!  It is a positive force in my life.