June 10, 2026. It’s a date that will be remembered in NYC for a long time. Most will think it’s because that’s the night when the Knicks made the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, setting up their first championship season in 53 years and galvanizing the city. But it was also the date when we held our first NYCRUNS Club Cohort. Go NY Go NY Go NYCRUNS Go!
The Team at NYCRUNS came together with 50 leaders of NYC’s running club community in Gowanus, Brooklyn, at Wild East Brewing Company for a lively dialogue over pizza and beverages. It was a great night of community and conversation.
Steve Lastoe (NYCRUNS Founding CEO) and Michele Gretano (NYCRUNS COO) moderated the 90-minute Q&A session with representatives from the following clubs: Achilles International NYC, Block Runners BK, Brooklyn Tri Club, Crown Heights Running Club, Democratic Socialists of America, Forest Park Runners, Front Runners New York, Galloway NYC, Goldfinger Track Club, Harlem Run Club, Manhattan Track Club, Masala Milers N.Y.C., Never Quit Running Crew, New York Flyers, North Brooklyn Runners, NYU Running Club, Prospect Park Track Club, Recess Run Club, Saints Run Club, Spartan Sundays Run Club, Staten Island Athletic Club, Westchester Track Club, and Women Make Moves.
Steve opened the evening pointing out that NYCRUNS, which first started putting races on in 2011, has been on a mission to put on the best running events in the city, with a focus on supporting local causes and businesses. To that end, he noted that NYCRUNS events, led by the Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon Charity Running Program, have helped non-profits raise nearly $1 million over the past year with the goal of pushing that number to $5 million in the next few years.
Steve also talked about the continued popularity of NYCRUNS events, resulting in more and more races reaching capacity. He said NYCRUNS is looking for ways to ensure races will continue to be as accessible as they have been.
Many members of the NYCRUNS staff were on hand as well to join in the discussion, which touched on topics ranging from how NYCRUNS can better serve the running community, how NYCRUNS operates, and the future of NYCRUNS events throughout the five boroughs.
As much as the evening was a chance to provide transparency on all things NYCRUNS, it was as much an opportunity for NYCRUNS to listen to what runners and the clubs want. A thoughtful array of ideas were presented including expanding NYCRUNS events to Queens and the Bronx, holding back entries for clubs so members don’t get shut out of sold-out races, hosting more winter events, helping clubs with their own events, sponsoring cheer zones for clubs to support their runners, and creating a platform so runner results could be grouped by club affiliation.
Passionate suggestions were made around the area of sustainability, from allowing runners to opt out of receiving medals and participant shirts to finding more green friendly ways to provide runners with hydration and other on-course amenities. Steve assured everyone that NYCRUNS was committed to providing more resources to create greener events.
The topic of more competitive opportunities was raised, specifically the introduction of a club series or club competitions within races. That led to making sure everyone was aware of the NYCRUNS Local Elite Athlete Entry Program, where faster runners can earn complimentary entry in NYCRUNS races if they meet the qualifying criteria.
Rounding out the night were questions about bib transfers (not available), refunds (race credit/deferral is available via NYCRUNS membership), runner communications (its important runners read their race emails), corral assignments (changes by race based on runner and the number of other runners and what their paces are), and providing opportunities for runners who can’t afford entry fees (check out NYCRUNS For All).
With pizza and a beverage in hand, the evening concluded with a commitment to NYC running and a Knicks game for the ages.
Moving forward, NYCRUNS will be exploring many of the suggestions that were raised, including working on the framework for a NYCRUNS Club Series. Please email us at clubs@nycruns.com by June 30 if your club is interested in participating.