Runners of NYC Podcast (CITIUS MAG)

“I think where the dialogue really happens is in a Black Men Run group chat that we have. Just think about what we’re all feeling when that situation happens with George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery. It really gets to a point where we don’t feel OK. We’re not alright. We try to support each other as best as we can but the reality is our job as Black Men Run is to show our community what we can do as a unit through running and to be role models. When I joined and we started doing the hood runs, just seeing the power of people in those communities seeing us as a unit and sticking together, I can’t even put a value on that. It’s so grand. That’s where a lot of hope lies – in seeing Black men like ourselves stepping out there and choosing to stick together in a positive way. In Black Men Run, we have doctors, principals, lawyers, chiropractors, educators and the list goes on. It’s just a good place where not only are we connecting through running but we stay connected outside of that and work on various things.

It wasn’t a big group when they started in New York City. They stuck with it. That to me and where we’re at now is more about how they built that. Now, how do I take what they built and figure out what I can build through the things I have talent in. They were really pivotal in being an example to me and the power of sticking together with something that has meaning.

One thing I’m learning is: Everything I want to do has to have a purpose. I try to think of that purpose before I do it. I’m starting to speak up with a purpose. I want people to be more vulnerable. I want people to share their stories. I want them to let people know how they’re really feeling. I think for too long and in my workplace with certain friends that I have who are white, I’ve held back on having real conversations with them for a real long time. Do you know who that’s affecting the most? Me. Because I’m holding that inside. I can’t reach my full potential until I let all of this out. My biggest message to people is to encourage them to use their voice. We all have a story. Life is difficult. Whether you’re dealing with racism or some other trauma that maybe you’ve been dealing with since you were a kid, these stories need to be let out. I’d rather know the real you than the person you perceive to be. To me, that’s when we can brick by brick lay the foundation for a better future for our youth. They need to know some of the truth."

Jason Fulford is a Gowanus, Brooklyn native. He is the coordinator of community programs for Community Roots Charter School. When he's not working, he's likely running as a member of Black Men Run and The Running Edge. He is also known as the cousin of Eric Garner, who died on July 17, 2014 when a New York City police officer tackled him and put him into a fatal chokehold. Garner's dying words – "I can't breathe" –  helped galvanize the Black Lives Matter movement to protest racial injustice in America. Five years after Garner's death, Jason partnered with Overthrow NYC to host the Run for Justice in 2019. This year, the run is back and will be held on July 18. Hear about Jason's work as an activist, how running has been his therapy, his role as a father and educator during this important movement, his relationship with Eric Garner and what his hope is for the future.

Follow Jason on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jayfuf15/

Register for the Run for Justice here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/run-for-justice-2020-tickets-109435273850

New Yorker article: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/video-dept/eric-garners-family-is-still-grieving

Garner Way Foundation

"We, as Bronx Femme, promote health and wellness not just in our little running community but we run the streets...It's not just for folks to come on a run but it's also to show the Bronx that we can run. We're running in the hoods. We're running in all the crevices of the Bronx. I really hope that Bronx Femme is inspiring people. This isn't normal to see runners in the Bronx so when they see us, they're always like 'What is going on?' We're breaking necks out here. I really hope people see us, join us and talk about us to further promote in the Bronx because that is so important, especially right now in the pandemic. It's so important."

For this episode, we are joined by Michelle Nguyen and Amy Ortiz. They are both Bronx residents and two of the founders of the Bronx Femme Run. The group's mission statement says they aim to create a space where all women run free. They meet on the first Friday of every month and connect women from all across the city and specifically the Bronx. In this episode, we'll learn how the group came to be, what they're doing to build that safe space and how they're resetting and regaining momentum after the coronavirus pandemic hit their respective communities. This group is fairly new so we hope you enjoy getting to know them.

Follow Bronx Femme Run on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bronxfemmerun/

Follow Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/michelledarce/

Follow Amy: https://www.instagram.com/alocurls/

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“By being last, I obviously didn’t want to be last. I wanted to just beat one kid in swimming, running or whatever it was. I just wanted to get a little bit faster. Having that mindset of ‘getting a little bit faster’ is really what took me all around the world on a competitive world stage. Just wanting to be a little bit better each day and each time I compete...It was a slow progression of keep moving forward and really not letting the naysayers get to you. When you’re doing something unique and different, there will always be people who say that will not be possible or something negative about it.”

Rudy Garcia-Tolson is a four-time U.S. Paralympian in swimming and track. He has got a truly inspiring story that starts with being born with popliteal pterygium syndrome that resulted in a club foot, webbed fingers on both hands, a cleft lip and the inability to straighten his legs. 

At 5 years old and after many operations, he made the decision to amputate both of his legs and move forward with his life on prosthetics. This allowed him to get his start in sports and primarily swimming where he’d usually be the last one to finish races. He never gave up and set incremental goals along the way, which eventually landed him representing the U.S. at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. When it comes to running, he has set American records in his age group and classification in distances from the 400 meters to the half marathon. He has also completed an Ironman.

In addition to all of that, he’s done a lot of work with New York Road Runners in guiding kids with disabilities to get their own start in sports and running. You’d think that four Paralympics would be enough for someone but the pandemic has bought him an extra year to try and make a run for a 5th. He was recently profiled in The New York Times about this because there was a point where he had to improvise and just run 10 miles in Brooklyn without much else to do for training. We hope you all learn more about everything Rudy has had to overcome and persevere.

Read Rudy's story in the Times by Matthew Futterman: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/sports/olympics/rudy-garcia-tolson-paralympics.html

Follow Rudy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudygarciatolson/

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"Around Labor Day of 2019, I had to go into the hospital for open-heart surgery. That was quite unexpected. Totally unexpected. Didn't realize that. I had no signs of anything going wrong with my body. I was actually training to do the Ragnar Napa with a bunch of friends. We were going to go out there and revisit our old ultra team. A bunch of old geezers were going to go out and run this race so I was training for that. I just happened to go into the doctors for a checkup. One thing led to another and I found out I had a major aneurysm on my aorta and that needed to be taken care of right away. I spent Labor Day weekend getting that tended to. When I got out of the hospital, I got back out to Montauk and started rehabbing and walking. My last visit to the doctor, which was around November maybe, they gave me a thumbs up that I could start training and running. So I have this big bodacious goal to run the 2020 marathon in New York."

After consulting with some of our listeners, we heard you want more uplifting and inspirational stories in these uncertain times so we decided to catch up with one of the most familiar and friendliest voices that New York City runners may be familiar with. Former New York Road Runners director of events and New York City Marathon race director Peter Ciaccia joins the show.

Ciaccia retired from his role with NYRR after 18 years following the 2018 New York City Marathon. Ciaccia started becoming a fixture at the start and finish of races when Mary Wittenberg left NYRR in May 2015 and he was promoted. His "Good morning, runners!' and "Do I have clearance on the roadways?" were staples at the start of races. In his time with the organization, he was a leader who helped innovate and improve races. We'll go back to his family's roots in Italy, his childhood in the Bronx, his introduction to sport, his love and passion for music and how he brought those talents to event planning.

Whether you were winning local races or among the final finishers, Peter was always one of the biggest cheerleaders for everyone's race experience. 

We also ask him about how he's processing all the news regarding the coronavirus and what it would take for him to feel safe at a race.

▶ Follow Peter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peter_ciaccia/

Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. FICS is among the many places that have had to close their doors due to the COVI-19 pandemic. The fitness inspired calibration recovery studio is still offering 15-minute virtual chiropractic consultations with Dr. Duma so that you can continue to stay healthy while you're at home. She's worked with runners of all levels and members of the U.S. Olympic fencing team so you're in good hands. To schedule your appointment, you can call them at 646-241-4948 or email info@ficsnyc.com. When they re-open you can use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

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❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

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Caught up with past guest David Kilgore to recap and explain why he ran 100 miles in less than 18 hours on Friday. He raised more than $10,000 for gift cards from local running retailers in New York City, which would then be donated to NYC Health + Hospitals to provide medical workers with supportive footwear while they work long days to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

If you haven't listened to David's original appearance on the podcast for more crazy endurance stories, check it out. http://citiusmag.com/runners-of-nyc-podcast-david-kilgore/

You can donate to the GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/6s2cf-covid19-community-support

Photo by Brendan Clarke

“It’s refreshing because I spent quite a long time in my career thinking about being in the top 1%. Being able to pull back and realize that there is this joy and enjoyment that people have to go out…They may not have a reason to get up other than to be with some other people or have time for themselves in the chaotic space that is New York. It was nice to engage with running in a different way. That’s why it brings me a refreshment and a perspective that there are so many different stories and reasons why people are doing this and it doesn’t always have to be about making it to the very upper echelon.”

For this episode, we welcome Rebeka Stowe. She is a hell of an athlete and has qualified for the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships seven times in her career, including the 2012 Olympic Trials in the steeplechase. She is a former Big 12 Conference champion while attending Kansas. She trained professionally for some time with the New Jersey-New York Track Club under legendary coach Frank Gagliano. He is just one of the handful of great coaches that she has surrounded herself with throughout her career, which has played a major role in her own coaching of all levels including high school. She's someone who has led so many people through their own running ups and downs because she cares about the person before the performance and you''ll learn why. She leads runs on Monday evenings out of As Is NYC in Hells Kitchen so if you're feeling inspired after she shares her story, join her for a run out of there.

Follow Rebeka on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebekastowe/

This is Runners of NYC. A podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Zac Price and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter | @RunnersOfNYC

Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

“With family comes a lot of responsibilities. With a lot of responsibilities can come a less active lifestyle is how I guess I can put it. I got caught up in life and just tried to work my ass off and raise the kids that I kind of let loose with myself as far as health and wellness was concerned. It wasn't really a priority. I didn’t really care what I looked like...From like 22 to 34, health just wasn’t a real priority for me...How I felt about myself physically wasn’t something I cared about but it should have been. I came to realize that as I got older and when I hit 240 pounds on the scale.”

Lenny Grullon is one of the founders of the Boogie Down Bronx Runners, which is a group that comes out in full force at the New York City Marathon. It gets loud when you cross over into the Bronx and see their black and white shirts and flags. In this episode, you’ll learn about how that group came to be because when it all started no one initially showed up. You’ll learn about what also got Lenny started running late in his life and has kept him motivated to inspire others in his community. Outside of running, Lenny also shares what it’s been like being the Dean of Culture at DREAM Charter School in East Harlem and being a father of four in this pandemic.

Follow Lenny Grullon on Instagram here.

Follow the Boogie Down Bronx Runners on Instagram here.

This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify!

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Kevin Montalvo would be the first to describe himself as "just a kid from Queens." Those in the running community know him as the Queens guy. Those in the Queens community know him as the running guy. Kevin is the founder and team captain of Queens Distance Runners and the race director of the Queens Marathon.

He grew up in an Ecuadorian family in Queens and has spent much of his life in the borough. One of the biggest things that has kept Kevin in Queens is the importance of diversity in Queens. His team reflects that and has more than 1,000 members in all parts of the borough from Astoria to Jackson Heights to Forest Hills to Jamaica and beyond. 

In addition to his work as a team captain, he is the race director of the Queens Marathon. Through his race organizing, he maintains relationships and works closely with civic, non-profit and city organizations to make the race a reality. He also ties in the community by involving local businesses and sponsors. 

The 2020 Queens Marathon and Queens Distance Runners Half will be held on March 22 at 8 a.m. Listeners of this podcast have been granted a special offer from Kevin and can sign up using promo code runnersofnyc for 15% off their race entry. (Register here: https://www.elitefeats.com/upcoming-detail.asp?ID=20770)

❤️ Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. They have curated the top fitness recovery and wellness machines and combined them with classic techniques to elevate each individual’s pursuit of natural performance and overall physical and mental wellbeing. FICS will concierge you through their modalities and provide you a space to relax, recover, and unwind at their modern-day athlete's spa. Use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

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❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: www.bonfire.com/store/citius-mag/

“Chinatown Runners is not a crew and it's not based in any specific locality. It's not a crew. It's a movement. I wanted it to feel bigger than just this one group that really sort of permeated throughout the entire running community worldwide. When you think about it, there are Asian-American Pacific Islander-centric communities all over the world outside of just America and Canada....Every neighborhood and borough has a dozen or so specialized running crews and groups, which is amazing and I don't want to try to eat anybody's lunch, but the idea is for it to feel really inclusive. And that's kind of the reason why I fight hard to say that it's not a running crew, but it's a movement...All you have to do to tag in is start or end a run in a Chinatown or an Asian-American Pacific Islander neighborhood or business even. Throw up the hashtag and show some love to a community that can really use it right now.”

Victoria Lo is a designer and senior creative with years of experience in New York City's running community. Most recently, she started Chinatown Runners as a way of bringing support, awareness and love to protect and preserve the Chinatowns and AAPI-centric neighborhoods in cities across the world. She underscores that this is not a performance team, crew or club but a movement. As noted on their website: "We run to fill in the gaps that global tourism can’t fill during a worldwide pandemic. We run to keep the streets safer by watching out for the most vulnerable. We run to celebrate the diverse cultural narratives that make our country wonderful." In this episode, you'll hear more about what drove her to take action and start this group as anti-Asian hate crimes and violence is on the rise.

Follow Victoria on Instagram:@omgvics

More on Chinatown Runners: https://www.chinatownrunners.com/ | Instagram

Resources: The AAPI Community Fund; Stop AAPI Hate; Save Our Chinatowns;  More here

Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 21 at 10 a.m. at Union Square Park. Follow @runningtoprotest for more information.

This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Episode photo by @crossinguard_ninja.

“Running communities are a reflection of American communities, and if we know that American communities have been shaped by racist real estate laws; racist criminal justice systems; racist police officers; racist, segregated schools…how can there not be racism in running?”

This is an episode of Social Sport – another show on the CITIUS MAG Podcast Network. This show is hosted by Emma Zimmerman and features conversations with endurance athletes of all types committed to fostering social change. The athletes she speaks with on this show are climate change activists, mental health advocates, and promoters of more inclusive outdoor spaces. Through Social Sport, she shares the stories and thoughts of people who explore the connection between sport and activism in their lives.

Ben Chan is an ultra runner and activist, perhaps best known in the New York running community for his racing attire—leopard print short-shorts and a cowboy hat. But in recent times, Ben has also become well known for his activism. On this episode of Social Sport, we focus on Ben’s exchanges with a certain, high-profile race director (Gary Cantrell AKA "Lazarus Lake") who banned Black Lives Matter from his events. It can be difficult to talk negatively about people who have large followings, lots of power, and have created events that are, frankly, important to the running community. But Ben and I both feel that we need to hold everyone accountable for their words and for the communities they create—in sports and beyond. This episode was recorded about a week ago, and since that time, more exchanges have unfolded; "Lazarus Lake" shared his racist speech openly on a prominent podcast. So Ben’s sentiments shared in this episode are, perhaps, even more important.

Follow Ben on Instagram: @malerunner

More episodes of Social Sport can be found on CITIUS MAG.

Subscribe and listen to Social Sport on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts.

Also discussed in this episode:

• The importance of Ben’s running outfit for challenging stereotypes of Asian-Americans Running as a form of expression
• The Barkley Marathons documentary
• Outside Magazine article, “Why Did a Virtual Ultra Ban ‘Black Lives Matter”
• Runner’s World article on Ben and Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee
• Ben’s post on anti-Ku Klux Klan residents and pro-Trump residents holding opposing rallies, 11 miles from Big Backyard Ultra
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
• The Autobiography of Malcolm x, as told to Alex Haley

The following episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the New York Road Runners Center as we honored some of the local runners who will be competing at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta on Feb. 28.

For those who may not be as familiar with the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, the top three finishers at the race will represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. In order to compete at the Trials, men have to run a marathon in 2:19:00 or faster. Women need to run a marathon in 2:45:00 or under. More than 200 men and 400 women have hit the mark. New York City is expected to field one of the strongest contingents of runners, especially on the women's side.

Our guests for this episode:

Brendan Martin of the New York Athletic Club

Brendan is a Smithtown, New York native who ran at Columbia University and helped the team win an Ivy League conference cross country title in 2009. After graduating, he took to the roads as a member of the Hansons-Brooks team and debuted with a 13th place finish at the 2012 Boston Marathon. He ran 2:18:28 at the 2013 Fukuoka Marathon and qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2016 with a personal best of 2:16:28 at the California International Marathon. He lowered that to his current personal best of 2:15:30 at Grandma's Marathon in June 2015. He qualified for this year's Olympic trials with a 2:16:26 at the 2018 Berlin Marathon. When he's not running, he's a physical therapist at Finish Line Physical Therapy.

Distance Project's Lauren Perkins 

Lauren is the Chief Operating Officer at Great Oaks Foundation. Lauren ran 2:42:55 at the 2018 Chicago Marathon and finished as the 18th American woman across the finish line that day. In 2019, she finished second in her first trail marathon at the 2019 North Face Endurance Challenge in Massachusetts and then ran 2:43:40 at the 2019 New York City Marathon. She was previously nominated for New York Road Runners' Runner of the Year (30-34).

Central Park Track Club's Jenny Donnelly

Jenny is a senior manager in marketing insights at strategy at Glossier. She ran cross country and track at Yale and made her marathon debut in 2013 with a 3:12. Her qualifier for the trials came at last month's California International Marathon, where she ran 2:44:36 for a 15-minute personal best. She spoke with Outside Magazine about her close call and also recently appeared on the Ali on the Run Show alongside her mother.

Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. They have curated the top fitness recovery and wellness machines and combined them with classic techniques to elevate each individual’s pursuit of natural performance and overall physical and mental wellbeing. FICS will concierge you through their modalities and provide you a space to relax, recover, and unwind at their modern-day athlete's spa. Use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

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❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: www.bonfire.com/store/citius-mag/

Chris Chavez and Leigh Anne Sharek reconnect over Skype to discuss the uncertainty and odd feeling of running in New York City during the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 15,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in New York State and people have been encouraged to stay indoors. However, you are permitted and some experts encourage still getting out for walks, hikes or runs as long as you remain six feet away from other people. 

As an escape from the coronavirus chatter, we recap Leigh Anne's run at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials - where she ran 2:49:26 for 213th place among all women. How was she feeling in the leadup to the race? Did it live up to expectations? How bad were the hills that everyone was talking about? What comes next and how does she approach the next Olympic cycle.

Recommended reading

Exercising During Coronavirus: Can I Jog? Is That Water Fountain Safe? (via New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/well/move/coronavirus-covid-exercise-outdoors-infection-fitness.html

Running From Coronavirus: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/sports/running-exercise-coronavirus.html

Related listening; THE CITIUS MAG Podcast ft. Chris Chavez and Ryan Welsh discussing the impact coronavirus has taken on the world, sports and running. http://citiusmag.com/running-is-not-canceled-coronavirus-podcast/

"I saw that there was this lack of representation within this space. Even though I'm going it at a recreational level, I started to see the reactions and responses to people who were finding out that this is something I was actually doing. It is very normal for folks to just think, 'Oh you're in the sprinter category or you're you're more for short, fast distances or jumping' and that's the end of the road. Even my family and friends finding out that I am running these longer distances, my parents were even like, 'Oh my gosh. This is so wild and we're so excited to see you.' My little cousins were looking up to me and saying, 'Oh my God, Ameerah! This is so cool that you're doing this' and asking questions. For me, seeing that beginning to happen made me think there's something that's here. There's this sense of representation that's definitely lacking. Now that I have this opportunity to show up and be in this space, it's super important to stay there and continue moving forward. This is available to any and everybody...There's a lot of self-limiting beliefs but then we also have socioeconomic limitations that are set on certain groups of people. Speaking to this conversation and leaning into just showing up. I'm a huge advocate of just showing up. That's something that I always say. For me personally, it became this super important thing to just keep showing up and taking up space to a certain degree."

Ameerah Omar is a self-development coach and meditation teacher but also the mindset coach for Adidas Runners and one of the first members of Girls Run NYC. In this episode, Ameerah shares some advice for how we can all go about getting in the right headspace in such weird times, the importance of a routine and taking inventory of your well-being at the moment. We dive into her upbringing, her introduction to sport and how she went from a multi-sport athlete in college to frequently running marathons. Ameerah shares some insights into her involvement and the mission of Girls Run NYC as one of the city's groups using running as service and helping others. We also continue the discussion of race and running with Ameerah and how she's been grappling with the news of Ahmaud Arbery's death. Ameerah was another guest that was frequently requested from our listeners so we're happy to finally bring you her story.

Follow Ameerah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameerah_omar/

Check out Girls Run NYC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlsrunnyc/

❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.bonfire.com/runners-of-nyc-podcast/

To kick off 2020, we're going to try and share a few more stories from some of the top New York City women competing at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. We're kicking it off with Sarah Cummings of the New York Athletic Club. She's one of the nicest people that you might encounter if you're on an early morning run in Central Park. She owns a personal best of 2:34:47 from the 2014 Chicago Marathon, competed at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and represented the United States internationally several times. 

She got her start as a competitive figure skater in New Jersey and then went on to have a successful high school career in California before committing to Princeton. She ended up being a four-time Ivy League champion in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, an All-American and a member of a fifth-place finishing team at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. She accepted a job in New York City in graduation and never skipped a beat in her running. The transition to the roads was seamless until a nagging hamstring injury finally caught up to her and detached from her leg during a 50K world championship race. She shares the road to recovery that nearly led her to quit the sport and how she managed to qualify for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with a comeback at the 2018 California International Marathon.

Never give up. Trust the process.

▶ Follow Sarah on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahccummings/

Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. They have curated the top fitness recovery and wellness machines and combined them with classic techniques to elevate each individual’s pursuit of natural performance and overall physical and mental wellbeing. FICS will concierge you through their modalities and provide you a space to relax, recover, and unwind at their modern-day athlete's spa. Use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

📧 NEWSLETTER SIGN UP - mailchi.mp/6cd793688a6d/runnersofnyc

❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

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"My daughter said to me the other day, 'I want to be a police officer, Daddy, so I can be a good one and make changes.' I said, 'That's good, baby. Listen to all the conversations that are happening because you don't have to make this decision yet. Originally, she wanted to be a teacher. My mother is a teacher. I'm kind of a teacher in how I articulate things to my community. Now with everything going on, I think she's kind of re-thinking things and trying to figure out her purpose in all of this. She's also hearing about the children of the future. She said that to me yesterday, 'Daddy, I keep hearing them say 'children of the future' and that's me, right?' She's understanding that she's going to be the one and her generation are going to be the ones to change this indefinitely. We're moving the big boulders out of the way but they're going to come through and they're going to clean up the dirt and get the rubble out. They're going to get something growing here."

Nova Church is a captain for The Bronx Sole. If his voice sounds a little bit familiar to you, it's because he was one of the leaders who spoke at Coffey's run to protest. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, we highly recommend checking it out. In this episode, we continue the conversation amid the Black Lives Matter movement about the changes that we're pushing for as a community. Nova expands on his call to action and what he wants to see from all of us. He also shares some insight into how he started getting active in running, why helping improve the health of the Bronx keeps him motivated and the unity among the Bronx running division. People said 'The marathon continues' when Nipsey Hussle died but Nova is someone who is living that daily.

Follow Nova Church on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nova.church/

Follow The Bronx Sole on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/bronxsole/

Nova's suggested charity: The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that is radically transforming how low-income people in the Bronx are represented in the justice system and, in doing so, is transforming the system itself. For more information visit: https://www.bronxdefenders.org/

❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

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"I feel really lucky that I wasn't hurt in college but I’m definitely dealing with what a lot of injured college runners deal with. In some ways, it's a bit of an identity crisis. I've been injured now for about eight months at this point. I came back for a little bit but I'm still struggling right now. Even though deep down I know I'll run again and I'll be healthy, I think you do so grieve in a way of losing running – especially when it's a huge part of your community."

Kira Garry is a research coordinator at NYU Langone Health. She was a five-time academic All-American in college while competing for Yale and Michigan. She has her masters in public health from Michigan and her senior thesis was on the history, management and anthropological perspective of the Ebola epidemic in 2014.

In addition to her professional work, Kira is also a standout runner in the city with her eyes on the now-2021 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. She’s competed at U.S. Championships in the past so we wanted her thoughts on what the Olympic postponement means for her own hopes of competing at the trials. In addition to that, she's also attending medical school soon!

▶ Follow Kira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiragarry/

Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. FICS is among the many places that have had to close their doors due to the COVI-19 pandemic. The fitness inspired calibration recovery studio is still offering 15-minute virtual chiropractic consultations with Dr. Duma so that you can continue to stay healthy while you're at home. She's worked with runners of all levels and members of the U.S. Olympic fencing team so you're in good hands. To schedule your appointment, you can call them at 646-241-4948 or email info@ficsnyc.com. When they re-open you can use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

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❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

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“What I love about being out here and doing this is that I didn’t think it was accessible. I didn’t think I was going to run sub-3. Why would I think that? That’s crazy. But what I’ve been able to do is inspire people, which I wasn’t trying to do but I feel good about that. I just want us to all feel – especially Black American women – that we can do that. I started because I wanted to train and get faster. There’s nothing stopping anyone from doing that.”

My guest for this episode is Erica Stanley Dottin, who is a mother of two, a wife and runs with Black Roses NYC. She is a producer and also works as the Tracksmith New York City Community Manager. At 48 years old, she just ran 2:52:05 for a huge personal best at the Berlin Marathon. The time makes her the 25th Black American woman to break three hours in the marathon since 1973. It’s a list that started being tracked by Ted Corbitt and is now kept by his son, Gary. We discuss her running career from her sprinting days at Georgetown to what called her to the marathon. What started off as a fun hobby for herself in the mid-2000s, she eventually found the Black Roses and coach Knox Robinson in New York City which elevated her training. We talk about how she managed to do it all and the inspiration she serves to other women in her community.

You can follow Erica on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/estanleydott/

This is Runners of NYC. A podcast from CITIUS MAG. Host Chris Chavez looks to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter | @RunnersOfNYC

Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

Wilson Tang is the owner of Nom Wah Tea Parlor on 13 Doyer Street. The restaurant has been around since 1920 and seen different iterations as a bakery, tea parlor and it’s New York’s premiere dim sum parlor. 

Wilson grew up in Queens but spent much of his childhood in Chinatown, where Doyers Street was one of the most dangerous streets in the neighborhood due to gang violence. His parents immigrated from China and quickly settled in the restaurant and bakery industry. Wilson grew up helping out his family and attended college at Pace University.  In 2011, he left his career in finance and took over for his uncle at Nom Wah. Ever since then, he has kept so much of the restaurant’s history in the Chinatown community alive. One step in there and you can immediately feel that history. The restaurant now has more locations in Manhattan, Philadelphia and China.

When he’s not at his restaurants, Wilson is running for fun and frequently runs the New York City Marathon. He started off using the sport as a means to get healthy and lose weight. Now he’s just happy to be a part of it as one of the key members of Old Man Run Club. Catch Wilson on a run and he’s likely smiling. We think you’ll catch some of that in this conversation that we had when he hosted us at the original restaurant.

▶ Follow Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimsumnyc/

Recommended Read: Chinese Restaurants Are Closing. That’s a Good Thing, the Owners Say | New York Times https://nyti.ms/2V236rl

New York’s Oldest Dim-Sum Restaurant Just Might Be the Future of Dumplings | GrubSrreet https://www.grubstreet.com/2017/10/wilson-tang-profile.html

Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. They have curated the top fitness recovery and wellness machines and combined them with classic techniques to elevate each individual’s pursuit of natural performance and overall physical and mental wellbeing. FICS will concierge you through their modalities and provide you a space to relax, recover, and unwind at their modern-day athlete's spa. Use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

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"My grandfather told us from the jump, ‘Don’t ever let color separate you from anything. Don’t the color of green get you into any kind of trouble with another color but always accept another color besides your color and because we can all be a family together. Don’t worry about whoever it is that hates your color. You were born this color for a reason and wear it with pride.’ That’s what I’ve been doing since that day. I’m not afraid to speak my mind because I’m black. I just pay attention to my surroundings at all times at 110% level."

To start, we address the death of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old black man in Georgia who was fatally gunned down by two white men while jogging near his home. Arbery was killed on Feb. 23. A legal argument from a district attorney, who later recused himself from the case, follows and says that no one should be arrested. However, after the 36-second video footage of the shooting is made public, outrage follows and the two men are eventually arrested. Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son Travis McMichael, 34, were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault.

Harlem Run founder Alison Desir (who was a guest on this podcast) expressed her frustration with the lack of coverage by the sports and running media. Following her Instagram post, coverage ramped up and Arbery's face was posted everywhere. Desir wrote the following essay for Outside Magazine. You can read it here (https://www.outsideonline.com/2413115/ahmaud-arbery-murder-whiteness-running-community)

This is an issue that is certainly important and underscores that we could all do better about having and acting on these conversations.

Our guest for this episode is Coffey. He is a father, husband, filmmaker, Nike running pacer and the founder of Define New York Run Club. This conversation was on our schedule before the Arbery shooting but we take the first 30 minutes of our talk to address the story, its impact on him and how he relates to the likes of Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin. We go back to his roots in North Carolina, how he got his start in fashion and filmmaking, why he got hooked on group running and then ultimately starting his own group.

You may have seen him on recent episodes of ‘For Life’ but his big project has been the short film “About the People” which hosts a very powerful and honest conversation about social justice and inequalities by black and brown men at the hands of police brutality. Coffey was one of the writers on the film and drew some inspiration from the conversations he’s had to have with his oldest son on police brutality.

Follow Coffey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThatCoffeyBoy/

Follow Define New York Run Club: https://www.instagram.com/DefineNewYorkRunClub/

More on 'About The People': https://www.instagram.com/AboutThePeopleFilm/

❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

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"Going back to how welcoming Dao-Yi Chow, Eugene Tong and Ryo Yamamoto are. That sets the tone for everybody else. That's a huge reason why Paolo and I are as welcoming as we are. We've learned from them. We want to pay it forward. We do realize that yes, you can feel alone in a big group of people and we just want people to know that we're not going to leave you behind. That's something we try to drive on a weekly basis and try to emphasize that we are a club for the purpose of community. The PRs will come. It's crazy too that we're not totally after PRs – sometimes we are – but they just come because we're having fun while running. Sometimes you don't realize you're improving while you're improving."

Our guests for this new episode are Paolo Alberca and Kim Yee. They are the captains of Old Man Run Club. Paolo Alberca is an account manager for a medical supplier. Kim works in the technology department within the Creative Artists Agency. In this episode, you'll get to know them, how they got into running and eventually caught the marathon big that now has them leading so many others on their respective marathon journeys.

What started as a Saturday morning run crew has blown up into one of the biggest running clubs in New York City. They're currently in the middle of their summer training block called Oasis, which is a training and long run series aimed at getting people ready for the fall marathons. If you want the original story of how this club started by Ryo Yamamoto, Dao-Yi Chow and Eugene Tong, you can go back and listen to episode 15. 

It's one of my favorite episodes, especially seeing the trajectory of this club's footprint on the scene. We recorded this at Nom Wah Tea Parlor, which is where we recorded another past episode. It's a little loud in the background but the substance of the conversation is quality.

This is Runners of NYC. A podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Zac Price and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter | @RunnersOfNYC

“I was in my own little bubble for a long time...I think if I had a sense of how bad I was, I don’t know if I would have continued. I love that in New York you can go to all these local races and kind of place high without having these super performances. I think that gave me some teasers that I could kind of be good at this.”

Somehow the World Athletics World Half Marathon Championships are still set to take place on Oct. 17 in Poland. For this episode, we are joined by Marie who was set to represent France in her first-ever world championship but is 99% certain that she is not comfortable making the trip amid the global pandemic and may have to skip the race. 

However, she still managed to qualify with an impressive 1:14:12 half marathon back in January in Houston. She's also run 2:36.23 for the full marathon last October in Chicago. Our very own Leigh Anne Sharek has raced against her many times in the city and can attest that Marie is definitely one of the city's fiercest competitors. 

She runs for the Queens Distance Runners. For more on that group, check out our past episode with founder and captain Kevin Montalvo. We touch on how she connected with that group but most importantly how she made major leaps in training once she teamed up with her coach and husband Luciano Medina. Together, they operate and run Coach Medina NYC. You'll also learn more about her own coaching philosophy.

Follow  Marie-Ange on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/marie11201/

Check out Coach Medina NYC and Marie-Ange's offerings here: https://www.coachmedinanyc.com/

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“I come from the South Bronx. I had to leave the Bronx to have access to these things. I had to go downtown to take arts classes, writing, theater and poetry classes. What did I do it? I brought all that shit back Uptown so that everyone had access to that and it wasn’t just me. I felt horrible to be in these spaces that I knew would never accept me if I was with my homies from the block. They would never allow me. It was important for me to be the conduit or in the middle and maneuver through these spaces to see what I can do so I could bring it back." – Patty

“There’s a lot of dope things in the hood. We’re trying to empower people to celebrate the dope things. It’s not always about getting away and getting other resources from outside of the hood. That’s super important but it’s also about celebrating the things that are dope in the hood, why we should stay in the hood and foster it...While you’re going out and getting resources from other places and seeing the world, you’re also celebrating your people and the world that you’re in while uplifting those narratives that are from the block." – Reph

This episode has no shortage of hype and energy as we’re joined by Amilcar Alfaro-Martell (Reph) and Patricia Marte (Patty Dukes), who started Circa '95. They’re a hip hop music collective with Afro-Latino roots that actually started off as a podcast back in the day. Their work looks to mesh the best of music, art, culture and athletics through running. They’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, SXSW and even at the Smithsonian Museum. Reph and Patty grew up in Washington Heights and the Bronx and when they’re not hosting their own runs they can be found running with We Run Uptown. (If you want the story behind that group’s origins check out one of our earliest episodes with Hector Espinal.) We kicked off the new year with them because it was recently announced they were among six winners of the Tracksmith Fellowship and look to create a Hip-Hop music project “born at the intersection of arts, athletics, and social justice.” We touch on that, the importance of celebrating and cultivating talent in the community, the connection between hip hop and the urban running scene and much more.

Follow Circa '95: @circa95 | https://www.circa95.com/

Follow Reph: @RephStar

Follow Patty Dukes: @Pattydukes

This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify!

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Meggie Sullivan is a communications strategist with a specialty in architecture, design, and lifestyle. On the track and roads, she's one of the fastest women in New York City, who has a 4:18 personal best for 1,500 meters and 4:46 for the mile. She's just wrapping up her time as a captain and board of directors member with Central Park Track Club and embarking on some new and exciting projects. We talk about that as well as her up and down journey into coaching and getting involved as a mentor for youth runners.

Follow Meggie on Instagram.

Episode photography by Zach Hetrick | Tracksmith

This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify!

MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

“In 2006, I started running for a friend who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which is a rare blood cancer. She had been diagnosed years before but she had always seemed fine so I never really thought about it. When I saw her go through a stem cell transplant, where they basically beat your body down, strip you of your immune system, do the stem cell transplant and build you back up again. It’s a brutal process. I decided I wanted to do something just to support her. Then over the years, it just started to ramp up. I kept meeting more people involved with the organization and more people with the disease. As the events grew and got bigger with more attention, it just got to a point where I was running for this thing that was a whole lot bigger than I was.”

Eric Gelber is an executive vice president at CBRE. He is a father. He is a husband. For some of our focus, he is also quite an endurance athlete. Back in 2016, he ran 200 miles in Central Park to honor his friend Anita and raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. As Anita bravely faced a cancer diagnosis, he took to running to raise money to aid in research, awareness and treatment. He ran marathons and ultra marathons but his biggest feat was running about 33 times around Central Park's outer six-mile loop. It didn't come easy. He failed at it twice but never gave up. 

In this episode, you'll learn more about his work, how he juggles that work, run, life balance, overcoming failure and now raising more than 1.7 million dollars to fight multiple myeloma. You can watch a documentary about that 200 mile run on Amazon Prime, if you search 200 miles. It’s a great film. On Sept. 17, he will return to Central Park but not to run. He’s rowing 200 miles while at at Engineer’s Gate. If you’re in the area, come out to row alongside him, cheer him on and learn more about his cause. 

Follow Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justamiletogo/

Check out his fundraising efforts for his 200-mile row in Central Park: https://give.themmrf.org/fundraiser/3270439

Watch 200 Miles on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/200-Miles-Eric-Gelber/dp/B081S8P7QH

This is Runners of NYC. A podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Zac Price and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter | @RunnersOfNYC

On Sunday, June 14th, hundreds of New York City runners gathered at the East River Amphitheatre for a two-mile protest run against racial injustice and police brutality in America. The run was organized by Coffey – who was recently a guest on our show and has emerged as one of the city's most vocal activists in the fight against racism. He called on all New York City runners to come together and run together as one community. He initially expected 40 to 60 people to show up but there were hundreds. It was further proof that everyone in the running community will take the time to run together, protest together, listen together and make change together.

After the run, there was a speaker series with crew leaders sharing personal stories of their encounters with racism, what it means to be Black in America and how you can help make a change. Coffey granted us permission to share the audio from the conversation.

The speakers are listed below with timestamps so that you can pick up on hearing everything they had to share because it's important. We have also included their respective Instagram handles so you can follow them.

Coffey of DeFine New York Run Club: 3:44 (@thatcoffeyboy)

Pastor Craig Holliday of the Brooklyn Tabernacle: 13:08

New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchel Silver: 17:50 (@mitchell_silver)

Cheryl Donald of Brooklyn Track Club: 23:56 (@blackpearlruns)

Dao-Yi Chow of Old Man Run Club: 32:54 (@alldaydaoyi)

Mike Saes of Bridge Runners: 43:40 (@mikesaes)

Jessie Zapo of Girls Run NYC: 47:48 (@jessiezapo)

Hector Espinal of We Run Uptown: 56:36 (@hecisdead)

Julissa Tejada of Wilpower Fitness: 1:01:09 (@mrs._wilpower_)

Jason Fulford of The Running Edge & the cousin of Eric Garner (@jayfuf15): 1:05:59

Steve Finley of Brooklyn Track Club: 1:14:21 (@steve__finley)

Nova Church of Bronx Sole: 1:19:11 (@nova.church)

Power Malu of Bridgerunners: 1:28:00 (@powermalu)

Cover photo provided Steven Rojas | @stevenrojas

"It's been pretty overwhelming and stressful at work. I am in the gastroenterology and hematology unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Every floor in the building specializes in a specific type of cancer. For now, I'm not working directly with COVID patients but we have about four to six floors exclusively for COVID patients. My floor is taking in cancer patients from all the other floors. It's a very stressful environment even though I'm not taking care of COVID patients. There were a lot of positive cases between patients and nurses in my unit. I have not tested positive, thank goodness. We all have to wear personal protective equipment even though we're not a COVID unit. My hospital has been amazing in protecting us with enough PPE, giving us support and implementing a lot of testing for COVID. All the nurses in my unit have to get swabbed every week and we're also swabbing our patients every two days. When the coronavirus started, we all didn't know much about it and so seeing my colleagues getting infected was so overwhelming. My biggest fear that I had – and I still have it – every time I go to work is to bring the virus to my apartment and my family, especially my mom. She's my primary caregiver. She's over 60 years old. It's pretty scary but I'm taking all the necessary precautions just before I enter my apartment to see them. I love my hospital. I love my job and helping people with cancer in emotional and physical aspects. They're very special to me. It is sad and feels like a different world when patients and their loved ones are suffering and struggling to survive. At the end of my shift, it makes me feel like a better person and I thank God for my life, my family and I just want to go home to hug my kids."

Today is National Nurses Day and we're super thankful to have amazing medical professionals working on the frontlines in hospitals combating the coronavirus pandemic. We're fortunate to share a conversation with Ana Johnson, an oncology nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and a runner with Distance Project NYC who has shown resiliency and heroism in these devastating times. Our chat touches on the state of work at the moment but also sheds some positivity from her upbringing in Mexico, starting running at a young age, a made-for-Hollywood love story, being a mom to two kids and qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.

Follow Ana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anajohnson8/

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❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.bonfire.com/runners-of-nyc-podcast/

“Yeah, it would be a bummer if there’s no Olympic Games because I feel like it would be a very political Games. But at the same time, I’m in fencing. I know that people forget the day after the Games are done that I go back to being a regular person. A million people could kneel at the Games and I don’t think you’d see a million people do it. You’re going to see a few special ones. That special one is important. But the idea that people felt comfortable to do that is so powerful for all the communities and all people. For people to be able to come and say what they want to say without worrying about the repercussions of losing monetary value or their families being hurt or being kicked out of the things that they want to do. That’s important. That’s the one thing I hope maintains and stays after all these movements.”

Race Imboden is a bronze medalist from the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in fencing. So you're probably wondering what's a fencer doing on a running podcast? In addition to his success in sport, Race made headlines as one of the top American athletes who has made a political statement and demonstration at a global championship. At the 2019 Pan American Games, he won a gold medal and took a knee during the national anthem. The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee placed him on a 12-month probation as a result of his actions. Imboden accepted the sanction but has never been silenced in his message against racism, gun violence, racial inequality and police brutality. Through his work with Everytown, an anti-gun violence organization, he's looking to educate people and see change across the country. You'll hear why this means so much to him in our conversation but also he will be a featured speaker at the next Running to Protest event in New York City. 

Mark your calendars for Sunday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. at Washington Square Park. Follow @runningtoprotest for more information.

Follow Race Imboden on Instagram: @race_imboden

This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. You can catch the latest episode of the podcast on iTunes so subscribe and leave a five-star review. We are also on Spotify!

MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Don Snellings is a runner for the Henwood Hounds and is one of the founders of FICS NYC. We sat down with Don to share his story of how he started running cross country as a high schooler and then went about a normal college experience without much athletics. He started drinking and partying, which led him down an abusive path with drugs and alcohol. He opens up about how bad those years got for him, which led him to seek professional help since his family saw him spiraling out of control. Don shares how he found the turning point and was able to channel his energy into a much healthier lifestyle.

Don also takes us through some of the struggles he's had with injuries and the preventive measures he's taking (and you can take) to get back to racing. 

▶ Follow Don on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donsnellings/

Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. They have curated the top fitness recovery and wellness machines and combined them with classic techniques to elevate each individual’s pursuit of natural performance and overall physical and mental wellbeing. FICS will concierge you through their modalities and provide you a space to relax, recover, and unwind at their modern-day athlete's spa. Use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

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❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

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Peter Walsh is one of the owners of Coogan's Bar and Grill on 169th and Broadway in Washington Heights. If you've ever run a race at the Armory, attended Millrose Games or bore witness to the 5th Avenue Mile afterparty there, you know that Coogan's is a runner's bar - and there's few of those that exist. However, Coogan's is among the many businesses that have closed its doors due to the coronavirus outbreak. This is a place that just three years ago was on the verge of closing for good when rent was nearly raised by $40,000 a month. Runners and the Washington Heights community – especially members of We Run Upton were among those that helped raise awareness and save the bar. Peter thought the bar was done for then. Now even in these unprecedented times, he has hope that the bar can survive this pandemic. We discuss some of the bar's history and the dystopian feeling of the last few weeks. You'll very quickly be able to tell that Peter's got lots of stories and this could've been a three-hour podcast filled with tales about track and field stars eating and drinking at Coogan's but maybe we can save those for another time over a beer at the bar.

Recommended Reading:

Welcome to Coogan’s, Where Everybody Knows the Runners’ Names (via LetsRun.com) https://www.letsrun.com/news/2020/02/welcome-to-coogans-where-everybody-knows-the-runners-names/

A Washington Heights Bar Closes Down, with Echoes for All Small Businesses (via The New Yorker) https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/a-washington-heights-bar-closes-down-with-echoes-for-all-small-businesses

Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. FICS is among the many places that have had to close their doors due to the COVI-19 pandemic. The fitness inspired calibration recovery studio is still offering 15-minute virtual chiropractic consultations with Dr. Duma so that you can continue to stay healthy while you're at home. She's worked with runners of all levels and members of the U.S. Olympic fencing team so you're in good hands. To schedule your appointment, you can call them at 646-241-4948 or email info@ficsnyc.com. When they re-open you can use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. | https://ficsnyc.com/

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❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc

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Hi! I'm Jeanne Mack and I'm here to tell you about a new podcast that's inspired by the Humans of New York Instagram account. The show is co-hosted with Chris Chavez and is part of the CITIUS MAG Podcast Network. The name of our new podcast is Runners of NYC. We'll be recording it live and in-person with various luminaries and legends that make up New York City's running culture. We'e excited to bring you their stories. We're going to try and make it a bi-weekly podcast so be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Soundcloud or however you get your podcasts. We'll be launching the first episode very soon. Music by Future Generations. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/runnersofnyc Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RunnersofNYCPod/

Our first ever guest on the 'Runners of NYC Podcast' is Joe DiNoto. Joe is a runner whose ties to New York City go back multiple generations. He is someone who has had a huge and lasting influence on the sport and culture of running here in the city. He is the founder of the Orchard Street Runners, a co-ed running group that meets on Tuesday nights in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Through Orchard Street Runners, Joe started organizing and holding unsanctioned races for men and women through the streets of New York. Those races have continued to grow in scope and competition, so we dive into Joe’s process of bringing those races to fruition, along with how he became a runner, and what keeps him running. This is Runners of NYC. A new podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. For more information on the Orchard Street Runners, follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchardstreetrunners/ Follow the show on Instagram: @RunnersOfNYCPod. Don’t forget Twitter as well: @RunnersOfNYC Music for the show is by Future Generations. Portrait of Joe DiNoto taken by Jason Suarez. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

The second guest on the Runners of NYC Podcast is a forensic scientist by day and a running legend by night—or at least by early evening. Leigh Anne Sharek was once was called "a minor celebrity in the New York City running scene" by the New York Times (Link to the article below). She runs for the Brooklyn Track Club, which is one of the fastest-growing running groups and meets on Tuesday nights at the East River track in Manhattan. Leigh Anne has evolved into one of the top local women at distances ranging from the mile to the marathon. She is currently ramping up her mileage to chase an Olympic Trials Qualifier at the 2018 California International Marathon in December. We delve into Leigh Anne's emergence as a leader for the Brooklyn Track club, how she became a runner, and what keeps her running. You can follow Leigh Anne on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wicked.la/ Follow Brooklyn Track Club on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/brooklyntrackclub/ For more information on the group, feel free to message the Instagram page or email coach Steve Finley at stepfinley@gmail.com. The aforementioned New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/05/nyregion/orchard-street-road-race-elite-women-runners.html ----- This is Runners of NYC. A new podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Follow the show on Instagram: @RunnersOfNYCPod. Don’t forget Twitter as well: @RunnersOfNYC Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Portrait of Leigh Anne Sharek taken by R.J. McNichols. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

The third guest on the Runners of NYC Podcast could have pursued a professional running career but opted to chase his dreams in the fashion industry, which brought him to New York. David Perry was an All American at the University of Portland before moving to New York for a job within the fashion industry and eventually starting his own company called BLK RBN. As a Pilot, David clocked some very impressive personal bests including a 13:58 for 5,000 meters and 28:42 for 10,000 meters on the track. When he moved to the city, he has immersed himself into the New York running scene and focused on the marathon for the past year. In the summer of 2018, David was vocal about his goal of qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. He shares what he learned from the lofty goal and how his approach to running has changed over time. We also delve into his role with adidas Runners NYC and what he brings to everyday local runners on a daily basis. Learn about David's journey, how he became a runner and what keeps him running. You can follow David on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/davidmarleyperry/ Follow and check out BLK RBN on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/blkrbn/ ----- This is Runners of NYC. A new bi-weekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Portrait of David Perry taken by Jason Suarez. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

"You have this insane community in New York where if I wake up on a Saturday morning, there are a number of people I can text and be like, 'Hey, do you want to meet for 6, 10 or 15 miles real quick?' New York is condensed in a way where you know people are going to Central Park, Prospect Park, the West Side High Way or doing some sort of bridge run situation. I think that aspect of it has been very crucial to me. I sincerely don't know if I would still be as invested in running and racing if I didn't have that accessibility to training partners." Caitlin Phillips is a two-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier and has run 2:37.48. She lives in Brooklyn and works in Manhattan as an art producer executive director and has been running in the city since 2007. In this episode, we delve into her diverse insight into the New York City from her time competing for the New York Athletic Club and Black Roses NYC. This episode was especially fun to record because despite her success on the roads, there is not much information on the web when you ask yourself, 'Who is Caitlin Phillips?' Her first marathon was a DNF so what brought her back to the distance and how has she "unlocked" it to the point where she now dreams of running the A-standard for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials? Caitlin shares her background from running high school cross country in Ohio, competing for Kentucky and winning an SEC championship and ultimately then landing in New York. You'll also learn about her races at the grueling 2018 Boston Marathon, a fast Berlin Marathon, what goes into a 100-mile week in New York, how and why she became a runner, and what keeps her running. You can follow Caitlin on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/caitlinphillips -------- This is Runners of NYC. A new bi-weekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Our producer is Jon Phillips. Music for the show is by Future Generations. Portrait of Caitlin Phillips taken by Jason Suarez. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

In this episode, we find out how someone who explained to us that he was once so uninterested in sports that he would roll around in the grass next to his childhood baseball field to make it look like he'd played when he got home later....how that kid went on to co-found a running group uptown. Hector Espinal is the co-founder of WRU Crew— which meets every Monday nights out of Bodega Pizza in Washington Heights —and also the co-founder of Never Not Bootleggin' – a clothing brand that fuses running with hip hop and pop culture. Hector went from never having run more than a few steps in his life, to completing the NYC Marathon in and hopes to do another one very soon. He talked to us at a diner near where he was raised about how he first started to run for his health and how a community grew out of that. We also delve into what made him so determined to finish a marathon, how he dealt with having to pull out of one and why he continues to run as much as he can, even if his free time is a rare commodity. You can follow Hector on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/hecisdead/ Follow We Run Uptown: https://www.instagram.com/wrucrew/ This is Runners of NYC. A new bi-weekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Our producer is Jon Phillips. Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski. --------- Special note: In the early morning of Thursday, December 6th 2018, Marquita Hannibal-Francique passed away at the age of 38. She leaves behind a 14-year-old daughter and three-year-old son along with her husband, Adam. She was heavily involved in the Uptown running community and will be dearly missed by many. A fundraiser was set up to help her family cover funeral services and the remaining placed into a college fund for her two children. Nearly $42,000 was raised as of Monday night. If you are interested in more information and how you can help, please visit this link: https://www.gofundme.com/remembering-marquitahannibal-francique

This episode tells the story of someone who battled depression and was drawn through running from a friend's inspiring marathon training. Just a few years later, she made international headlines with a run from Harlem to Washington, D.C. and raised more than $100,000 for Planned Parenthood. Alison Desir is a mental health counselor and also the founder of Harlem Run and Run4AllWomen. Harlem Run was founded in 2013 and welcomes a strong, positive and diverse group of runners of all sizes, ages and abilities for group runs on Mondays and Thursdays. Run4AllWomen was born in response to the 2016 election and uses running as a vehicle for social change. The mission is to empower women to be the change they seek. Alison's story tells us how she was able to mix running and activism to make an impact – not just in New York City but around the world. You can follow Alison on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/alisonmdesir Follow Harlem Run here: https://www.instagram.com/harlemrun/ More information on Run4AllWomen: https://www.run4allwomen.com/ This is Runners of NYC. A new bi-weekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

For someone so popular in the running scene, how could we know so little about their history? Matthew Luke Meyer has quickly become one of the friendliest and most familiar faces in the New York City running scene. He has so much enthusiasm and energy as an instructor with Mile High Run Club and Custom Performance. He also coaches with Streets 101 – one of the newer crews on the scene that drives their runners to push their own limits while sharing in each other's successes. Before Matt became a 2:39 marathoner, he takes us to his roots in small-town Colorado. Running was still far from becoming his passion. This episode will tell his story on why he started running, how he made major changes to his life and how he’s making a positive impact in the NYC scene. You can follow Matt on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/matthewlukemeyer/ Check out Streets 101 here: https://www.instagram.com/streets101nyc/ Learn About Custom Performance here: https://www.instagram.com/nycustompt/ This is Runners of NYC. A new bi-weekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

Our latest guest brings us a new and unique perspective to the New York City running community as someone who extremely connected without being much of an avid runner themselves. Parker Feierbach is a photographer and their work has been featured on the cover of Runner's World, Esquire, BICYCLING, Runaway Mag and many other great publications. Parker lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, so we took our podcasting gear to their favorite coffee shop. In this wide-ranging conversation, we delve into their background in anthropology and how it's helped them photograph stories that come from within the subject matter as opposed to just an observer. Their ability to photograph runners one handedly from a moving bicycle in traffic was astounding to our hosts at Orchard Street Runner races so we touch on their background in the cycling world. Parker is an extremely thoughtful and considerate person. They are very outspoken about native rights and transgender equality. Our conversation meant a ton to us and made me think more deeply about the art of photography. We hope you enjoy the show as well. You can follow Parker on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ideaform/ Parker's "Runners" series can be found here: https://www.bach.photo/runners This is Runners of NYC. A bi-weekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

"Because I was a very good high school runner, I had it in my head that running was pointless unless you were really good and that it wouldn't be fun if you were mediocre. And then, now that I'm a mediocre runner, I realize that being a mediocre runner is even more fun. In fact, I think I would rather be a mediocre runner than a good one at this point...because then you can just enjoy it for what it is. You don't have any expectation of winning everything. That was this epiphany that happened to me at the grand old age of 50. Actually it's fine that I can just join a group of people and we'll run nice times – not amazing times. I'm never going to win another race for as long as I live but it's better to do that." Our guest this week is Malcolm Gladwell who almost needs no introduction but for those of you who are unfamiliar. He is the best-selling author of "Outliers", "Tipping Point", "David and Goliath", "What the Dog Saw" and "Blink". You might also know his work from articles in The New Yorker or as the host of Revisionist History – the popular podcast where he delves into events, people, ideas and many things that are often overlooked and misunderstood. We take a dive into his running roots and how he ended up running with the New York Harriers. We get to hear a few funny stories about getting lost on the run in Tennessee, his goals for running as a masters athlete, why it’s nicer to be a mediocre runner and his searing hot take on America’s untapped resources for distance running. Please standby as Chris and Malcolm geek out about professional running for a few minutes as well. ---------- Runners of NYC is brought to you by CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out https://nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

Candice Huffine: "I was so against becoming a runner myself out of fear that I watched him transform because of his new lifestyle and this community he was a part of. I still wasn't sold. I was so scared of what I was able to do or could be possible for me that I just waved him goodbye and was like, 'Cool. That's your whole separate thing. This is a whole other life that we wouldn't do together.' But he was a different person and he was happier." Matt Powers: "I could imagine that it was a little intimidating because I was into in. I was went from Friday nights going out and partying to like Saturday mornings, we're going to go out and cheer for runners in Central Park." For our 10th episode, we welcome Candice Huffine and Matt Powers. Get to know this Brooklyn-based couple and hear their story of finding running at different times in their lives. Matt is known in the city for his work with November Project but he is also the co-founder of Shaggy Swag – a subscription box service for dogs. Candice is a fashion model and also the founder of the size-inclusive activewear line called Day Won. We were lucky to catch up with them on what was a rare down night for Candice right at the beginning of New York fashion week. She shares her own journey from feeling a mental block and almost being afraid of running to having it become part of her daily routine. Matt shares how running changed his respective life but has also used it as a tool to connect and motivate others. Hear their story like never before. Follow Matt on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/themattpowers/ Follow Candice on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/candicehuffine/ --------- This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Runners of NYC is brought to you by CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Our producer is Jon Phillips. Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski. Photography by Jason Suarez.

“My friend, Jordan, actually commented my Instagram when I announced I wasn’t running the marathon. He said, ‘The comeback is greater than the setback.’ It really became a mantra for me for that whole year. My mantra when I was in the training was ‘Come back stronger’ and I did. It wasn’t just running. It was life.” Zac Price joins the Runners of NYC Podcast to share his story of how he found running late in his life and has "become a better person mentally and physically" as a result. We dive into how the loss of a friend got him into racing and the philanthropic aspect of running. How a toxic relationship led him to discover the Project Moonshot and training for the New York City Marathon. However, Zac also shares how injuries prevented him from making that first marathon happen but still managed to prove that the comeback is greater than the setback. Follow Zac on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/exzactprice/ ------ This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Runners of NYC is brought to you by CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski.

In West Philadelphia, born and raised is where the story of our next guest begins. On this episode, you’ll get to meet Zhane Dadson. It’s in Philly where she got her start in the performing arts field at the Creative and Performing Arts High School as a dance major. Dance has been an integral part of her life and she continued to do so when she attended Spelman College. She got her degree from there and eventually moved to New York to work at Ogilvy and then Anomaly NYC, where she’s currently a producer. Through all of this, she found running and got her start from the inspiration that comes from the NYC Marathon. It’s been less than a year since she’s got her start but she’s already garnering some attention as one of the more popular women of color in the New York City running community through the start of her Run with Zha initiative. The purpose of Run with Zha is to inspire people of all backgrounds and those within minority communities to pursue a healthier lifestyle, learn more about running and connect as many people throughout the community as possible. Follow Zah on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/runwithzha ------ This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Runners of NYC is brought to you by CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski. Tickets to the Future Generations show in NYC on March 23 can be found here: https://www.bandsintown.com/t/1013478068?app_id=squarespace-frenchkissrecords&came_from=267&utm_medium=api&utm_source=public_api&utm_campaign=ticket&mkt_source=www.frenchkissrecords.com

If you were to ask Daniel Winn where he's from, he'd say New York. That's not true. He's originally from Portland, Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon but his heart has always drawn him to New York City. On this episode, you'll learn a lot about how he went from a walk-on on the Ducks' track team to very briefly into the indoor mile record holder. He was a finalist and placed 8th at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials 1,500 meter final. He currently trains with the Brooklyn Track Club. In addition to his love for running, Daniel is also a comedy writer and overall great guy. With plenty of funny stories to share, it's easy to see how we ended up with our longest episode yet. (Plus a special announcement from Jeanne + changes to the podcast) Follow Daniel on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/danielwinnn/ This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Jeanne Mack and Chris Chavez (and now Leigh Anne Sharek) look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Runners of NYC is brought to you by CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski. Photo by Jason Suarez. Tickets to the Future Generations show in NYC on June 20 can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/future-generations-elsewhere-rooftop-tickets-58398146428

Veronica Jackson just moved to Boston after nearly a decade in New York City but she'll always be a Runner of NYC in our book. Veronica ran for the Central Park Track Club and balanced a career as a lawyer while competing at a very high level. We met up with Veronica while in Boston for marathon weekend. In 2018, Veronica ran 2:49:41 and finished as the 13th overall woman in a race with driving rain and cold temperatures. On Monday, she ran 2:43:48 to finish 43rd among the elite women. On this episode, we discuss: - How her uncles convinced her to start running marathons - Why she was disappointed with a 13th place finish and how she got over it by hitting the Olympic Trials Qualifying Mark at the California International Marathon - Why she loves the Boston Marathon - How she balances her full-time job and a running career - What it's like racing among the elite women like Des Linden and Shalane Flanagan - The brilliance of the women's running community in New York + Much more... Follow Veronica on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/vjaxs/ This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Runners of NYC is brought to you by CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski. Photo by John Tran. Tickets to the Future Generations show in NYC on June 20 can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/future-generations-elsewhere-rooftop-tickets-58398146428

Dao-Yi Chow, Eugene Tong and Ryo Yamamoto bring us the story of one of New York City's most popular new clubs – Old Man Run Club. Despite the name, you don't have to be a certain age or gender to join. They organize a weekly group long run as a way of being inclusive with as many people within the New York City running community. They each also have highly accomplished and successful roles within the clothing industry. Dao-Yi is a designer for the contemporary and New York City inspired line called Public School. It draws inspiration from his roots growing up in Jackson Heights and stays true to the city. Eugene is a style director that handles everything from styling for shows, photo shoots, campaigns and creative consulting. Ryo is the director of creative services at Urban Studio, which is a post-production studio. While more behind the scenes with his day-to-day work, Dao believes there's an artist trapped within Ryo. On this episode, you'll learn how the three of them discovered running later in life, what impact it has on their life, why they decided to start their own group, how they feel about the New York City running community, the New York Knicks' free agency plans and much more. Follow Old Man Run Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldmanrunclub/ Follow Dao-Yi: https://www.instagram.com/alldaydaoyi/ Follow Eugene: https://www.instagram.com/ettong1979/ Follow Ryo: https://www.instagram.com/_ryoyamamoto_/ ---- This is Runners of NYC. A biweekly podcast from CITIUS MAG. Hosts Leigh Anne Sharek and Chris Chavez look to bring you many of the untold stories behind luminaries and legends that make up New York City’s running culture. Runners of NYC is brought to you by CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter: @RunnersOfNYC. Email any comments, feedback or possible sponsorship ideas to runnersofnyc@gmail.com Music for the show is by Future Generations. Podcast artwork by Kyle Klosinski. Photo by Nike Running. Tickets to the Future Generations show in NYC on June 20 can be found here: www.eventbrite.com/e/future-genera…ets-58398146428

Lindsay Crouse of The New York Times joins the Runners of NYC Podcast just a day after publishing an op-ed and video that highlight's how Nike does not guarantee female athletes a salary during their pregnancies or immediately after giving birth. It is a powerful piece that also featured Olympians Kara Goucher and Alysia Montano speaking out about the policy. We jump right into the conversation with a discussion about her latest opinion piece and the running community + sports community's reaction. Lindsay is a senior staff editor at The Times and an Op-Docs coordinating producer. She grew up in Rhode Island and then went on to run cross country and track at Harvard. After college, she landed in New York City and worked her way to The Times, where she's since put together some tremendous stories and columns on running and in particular women's distance running. In addition to all of that, Lindsay has completed 11 marathons and is planning to chase an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier in the fall. We discuss how her experience as a serious runner also helps her work and storytelling process. If you're interested in following Lindsay on Twitter, she's @LindsayCrouse. Show Notes: Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/12/opinion/nike-maternity-leave.html How the 'Shalane Flanagan Effect' Works https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/11/opinion/sunday/shalane-flanagan-marathon-running.html When One of the World’s Most Visible Athletes Is Told She Can’t Be One https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/04/opinion/sunday/caster-semenya-running.html Related: Fast Women - a newsletter recapping all things women's running http://www.fast-women.org/newsletter-archive/ The Kick - a running newsletter for women https://thekick.substack.com/ GLOBAL RUNNING DAY – Mark Your Calendars! Join us on Global Running Day on June 5, 2019, as we celebrate running and encourage others to get moving. No matter how fast you run or how far you go, what’s important is that you have fun being active and inspiring others in the community to join you. Leigh Anne and Chris want you to pledge to run and join the Runners of NYC team to see how many miles we can stack up. It's simple. Visit http://globalrunningday.org/RunnersofNYC. Make the pledge and join the Runners of NYC team when you select your team name. Don’t forget to share your posts on Global Running Day by using #GlobalRunningDay and following @globalrunningday on Instagram. RUNNERS OF NYC LIVE On June 6th, we are hosting our first-ever live show. We're keeping the Global Running Day festivities going at Custom Performance. Jess Movold, who is a coach at Mile High Run Club and was most recently featured on the cover of Runner's World will share her running story with us. Check-in starts at 6:30 p.m. at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Spaces are limited so RSVP today --> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/runners-of-nyc-podcast-live-hosted-by-custom-performance-tickets-61866225546

Lucy Paez Stelzner of Distance Project NYC and We Run Uptown joins the Runners of NYC Podcast. On Instagram, she describes herself as a "Runner. Obsessive traveler. Public health advocate. Proud Latina. Reading nerd." Lucy is an emerging sub-elite in the New York City women's running community and has made an impact on the uptown running community. Lucy ran 2:58 at the 2019 Tokyo Marathon, which is a major improvement from the 4:29 that she ran at the 2009 New York City Marathon. We discuss how she's elevated her running talent to the next level, why she surrounds herself with fast women in a newly-formed women's running crew, how she motivates those in the uptown community and much more. She also shares why she ran the Tokyo Marathon in memory of Marquita Francique. --- GLOBAL RUNNING DAY – Mark Your Calendars! Join us on Global Running Day on June 5, 2019, as we celebrate running and encourage others to get moving. No matter how fast you run or how far you go, what’s important is that you have fun being active and inspiring others in the community to join you. Leigh Anne and Chris want you to pledge to run and join the Runners of NYC team to see how many miles we can stack up. It's simple. Visit globalrunningday.org/RunnersofNYC. Make the pledge and join the Runners of NYC team when you select your team name. Don’t forget to share your posts on Global Running Day by using #GlobalRunningDay and following @globalrunningday on Instagram. RUNNERS OF NYC LIVE On June 6th, we are hosting our first-ever live show. We're keeping the Global Running Day festivities going at Custom Performance. Jess Movold, who is a coach at Mile High Run Club and was most recently featured on the cover of Runner's World will share her running story with us. Check-in starts at 6:30 p.m. at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. Join the waitlist here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/runners-of-nyc-podcast-live-hosted-by-custom-performance-tickets-61866225546 ▶ Follow us: https://twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC https://instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez ▶ Follow Leigh Anne https://twitter.com/LeighAnneSharek https://instagram.com/wicked.la 📷by Zach Hetrick – Follow him on Instagram: https://instagram.com/zhetrick 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

You've probably seen her on the latest cover of Runner's World. There's a chance that she's blown past you during a race while wearing her Streets 101 singlet. Maybe you've taken one of her classes at The Fort or Mile High Run Club? Jess Movold is everywhere and now you get to learn her story. We were honored to welcome and host Jess for our first-ever LIVE podcast in front of an audience. She takes us all the way back to Hermann, Missouri to tell us about her upbringing with her father and two sisters. Her journey makes its first stop in New York City as an unexpected intern for Tommy Hilfiger and that's when she picks running back up as a means of commuting and not getting bored. On this show, she'll take us through some of the challenges from her professional and personal life as well as funny stories about her first marathon, getting lost and having just $4 for a Gatorade during a 22-miler and the big reveal of being on the cover of Runner's World. If you want to follow Jess on Instagram, check out her profiles below: https://instagram.com/jessmovold https://instagram.com/runnersoworldcoach -------- Thanks to our listeners for making GLOBAL RUNNING DAY a success. We aimed to pledge 1,000 miles on June 5th to celebrate running and encourage others to get moving. We ended up running 1,028. There's still a chance to participate in the NYRR Virtual Global Running day one-mile Powered by Strava. All you have to do is sign up for the virtual race and run one mile hard anywhere, anytime before June 9 and you’ll be entered to win a round-trip flight on United Airlines to fly and of course, run anywhere in the world. Hotel accommodations are also included. More details will also be available on https://globalrunningday.org/RunnersOfNYC -------- Don't forget to pay a visit to CUSTOM PERFORMANCE – They are the best running and sports physical therapy center in New York City with physical therapists that specialize in orthopedic injury treatments and running injury treatments. They also feature performance and recovery services for all runners of all abilities. Follow them at @nycustompt or check out nycustompt.com. We highly recommend them and encourage you to visit them at 295 Madison Ave #1026, New York, NY 10017. --------- ▶ Follow us: https://twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC https://instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez ▶ Follow Leigh Anne https://twitter.com/LeighAnneSharek https://instagram.com/wicked.la 📷Runner's World cover edit. 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

David Kilgore joins the podcast. He is one of the most talented distance runners in New York City. He runs for the New York Athletic Club and On Running. He was a high school standout in Florida before a series of events in his life led to stops at the University of Colorado (where he was an alternate on the 2013 NCAA Cross Country Championship winning team), Florida and Oklahoma State for college. He found marathons and trail running shortly thereafter while living out of a van and making more stops in Utah, Arizona and eventually New York City. Most recently, Kilgore just finished 82nd at the 2019 Trail Running World Championships in Portugal. We discuss all of that and more on this episode. Follow David on Instagram: https://instagram.com/davidkilgore -------- NYRR PRIDE RUN VIRTUAL 5K Be a part of a monumental celebration as the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and a half-century of LGBTQIA+ liberation. Sign up for the FREE NYRR Virtual Pride Run 5K Powered by Strava and run it any time between June 22nd and June 30th. Run the virtual race and part of the movement, even if you don’t live in New York City. Register for the NYRR Virtual Pride Run 5K now at https://nyrr.org/VirtualRacing/RunnersNYC --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/LeighAnneSharek instagram.com/wicked.la 📷 Jamil Coury 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Cam Erhardt joins the podcast to cap off Pride Month! He is an Olympic Marathon Trials hopeful who trains with Brooklyn Track Club. He started running as a 12-year-old in Texas, found his groove in the Texas High School scene before continuing his career as an NCAA Division 1 runner at San Diego. After college, he made the spontaneous decision to move to New York and then abandoned running to join the Crossfit scene. Around the same time, he came out as gay and never been more himself and never been happier. We’re 100 percent certain that his positivity and outlook on life will be contagious. He’s totally personable, outgoing, hardworking and driven in all aspects of his life. We hope you enjoy his running story. Follow Cam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camzor13/ -------- NYRR PRIDE RUN VIRTUAL 5K Be a part of a monumental celebration as the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and a half-century of LGBTQIA+ liberation. Sign up for the FREE NYRR Virtual Pride Run 5K Powered by Strava and run it any time between June 22nd and June 30th. Run the virtual race and part of the movement, even if you don’t live in New York City. Register for the NYRR Virtual Pride Run 5K now at nyrr.org/VirtualRacing/RunnersNYC ------- ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance. https://www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/LeighAnneSharek instagram.com/wicked.la 📷 @perfectine/IG 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

The sport needs more passionate fans like Paul Leak. The former New York Road Runners assistant events manager and current Strava marketing associate joins the podcast after a brief trip by Chris to the West Coast. Co-Host Emeritus Jeanne Mack also returns for the special episode. Paul is originally from North Carolina but spent much of the past decade in New York City getting people active within the community. In his role with NYRR, he would travel to all different parts of the city to try and help popularize running. He also was one of the co-founders of the November Project chapter in New York City. A November Project blog post on Paul described him as "the adventurer, the wild spirit, and the dreamer.” If you've seen Paul cheering on the sidelines of a race, you'd know this is all true. Even though he moved to San Francisco for his role with Strava, his presence is still felt in New York and he makes trips often. Once a Runner of NYC, always a Runner of NYC. Follow Paul on Instagram: https://instagram.com/paulleak/ Follow Paul on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ------- ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance. www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc ^ You'll have first dibs on a spot to our live show and photo exhibit on Aug. 1 with photographer Zach Hetrick. --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez https://www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Jeanne Mack twitter.com/jmmackattack/ instagram.com/jmmackattack/ https://www.strava.com/athletes/12008944 📷 @whitgautreaux/IG 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Through her work with Peloton, Becs Gentry has become one of the most recognizable treadmill instructors around the world and encourages hundreds of people to run. She recently sat down with us to give us a full deep dive on her upbringing in Worcester, England as a multi-sport athlete with an emphasis on tennis. She shares how and why she left that behind to focus on athletics (the beautiful British version of saying track and field). Now Becs boasts a 2:50 marathon personal best. How did she get there? what she did before she got into the fitness space, why she rarely competes in races, her foray into ultra marathons and much more including her recent string of personal bests at the Hong Kong Marathon and Boston Marathon. A few insights into the 2019 Speed Project (a 340 mile unsanctioned relay race from LA to Vegas) are also sprinkled in. Enjoy the conversation. Follow Becs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becsgentry/ ------- ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc --------- SPONSOR: Ragnar has made running a team sport. It is the perfect combination for you and your running friends whether you’re a serious runner, casual runner or a mix of both. Everyone can run a Ragnar and finish the overnight relay together. With 19 trail races and 16 road races across the country, there’s sure to be one close by – including one right here in our New York City backyard at Wawayanda Lake October 11-12. Embrace the challenge. Sign up today and get $80 off your team at any 2019 or 2020 race with promo code RUNNYC. Visit runragnar.com/RunnersOfNYC --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la https://www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 📷 @zhetrick/IG 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Zach Hetrick is the co-founder of Sprint Step, Inc, which is a content creation agency that specializes in photo storytelling and event recaps. He is undoubtedly one of the city’s best sports photographers who has done work for major sportswear companies but is also rooted in capturing some of the best images of everyday New York City runners. At the same time, he does some impressive running of his own (many times with a camera in his hands). Aside from maybe seeing his work on Instagram or his handle in photo credits, not too many people know Zach’s story which goes back to Fort Wayne, Indiana. We’re here to bring it to you. We'll dive into his past to learn where he picked up his quick instincts, speed and practice as a photographer and runner. Plus, he’ll share what he’s learned from shooting and being up close with the likes of world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, New York City Marathon champion Shalane Flanagan, Boston/New York and silver medal winner Meb Keflezighi and more. Follow Zach on Instagram: www.instagram.com/zhetrick/ ------- ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc --------- SPONSOR: Ragnar has made running a team sport. It is the perfect combination for you and your running friends whether you’re a serious runner, casual runner or a mix of both. Everyone can run a Ragnar and finish the overnight relay together. With 19 trail races and 16 road races across the country, there’s sure to be one close by – including one right here in our New York City backyard at Wawayanda Lake October 11-12. Embrace the challenge. Sign up today and get $80 off your team at any 2019 or 2020 race with promo code RUNNYC. Visit runragnar.com/RunnersOfNYC --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 📷 @bhgross/IG 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Before Tim Jeffreys landed at Fohr as the marketing director, where he oversees brand communication that helps companies and agencies execute influencer projects, he wore many hats. He studied math in college, did a little coaching, managed an independent movie theatre and tested his hand at filmmaking. His biggest project and first feature film is coming soon. It called 'The 41st Day' – the title comes from Biblical references and how something special may be bound to happen after 40 days. The film followed American marathoner Ryan Hall and his build-up to the London Olympics in 2012. However, injuries spiraled and really changed Hall’s career until he retired in 2015. The film was also a major part of Tim’s life and so it was also life-changing for him. We spend a bit of time discussing its impact and Tim’s passion toward his work. We also touch on Tim's history as a decent high school runner in North Carolina, his first marathon at 16, finding out his grandfather served up a historic home run to Babe Ruth and much more. Follow Tim on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thjeffreys/ Follow the 41st Day on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanhallfilm/ Original Trailer for the 41st Day: https://vimeo.com/39801781 ------- ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc --------- SPONSOR: Ragnar has made running a team sport. It is the perfect combination for you and your running friends whether you’re a serious runner, casual runner or a mix of both. Everyone can run a Ragnar and finish the overnight relay together. With 19 trail races and 16 road races across the country, there’s sure to be one close by – including one right here in our New York City backyard at Wawayanda Lake October 11-12. Embrace the challenge. Sign up today and get $80 off your team at any 2019 or 2020 race with promo code RUNNYC. Visit runragnar.com/RunnersOfNYC --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

John Donodeo was born and raised in Astoria, Queens before he attended Manhattan College and Penn State and then made his way back to New York, where he left a major footprint as the head track and field and cross country coach at Regis High School – a private all-boys Jesuit High School in Manhattan. It’s a tuition free school that attracts some of the smartest kids in the city. He was there for more than 30 years. As a result, he has so many awesome stories and you really feel how nice and selfless of a person he was in more than 100 seasons of coaching. We dive into what it’s like to make an impact on the lives of so many people, what makes a good coach, does getting older necessarily mean getting slower and what it’s like going into retirement after being part of something special for so long. Email John: john.f.donodeo[@]gmail.com ------- ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc --------- SPONSOR: New Balance 5th Avenue Mile Register for the 5th Ave Mile & check out everything going on at Runner Con. Test your speed by racing down 20 iconic Manhattan blocks on September 8th in the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile. All registered runners receive a pair of New Balance running shorts. Heats are filling up quickly, so register now at Nyrr.org/NB5thAveMile. Reserve your spot to our LIVE SHOW on 9/7 at the NYRR Run Center with the Pansa Boyz and Mirna Valerio. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/runners-of-nyc-live-redefining-runners-with-mirna-valerio-and-the-pansa-boyz-tickets-69933556149 --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Mirna Valerio and The Pansa Boyz (Tyrone Alomia, Hector Espinal, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Jason Suarez) join the podcast in front of a LIVE audience to discuss how they are redefining what runners look like and creating inclusive communities to inspire all. Mirna Valerio is a native of Brooklyn, NY, a former educator, cross-country coach, ultrarunner, obstacle course enthusiast, and author of the recently published memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress. Although she began running in high school, she recommitted to the sport after a health scare in 2008. It was then that her love for running and all its attendant benefits were reignited. She soon started her blog Fatgirlrunning, about her experiences as a larger woman in a world of thinner athletes. The Pansa Boyz are Tyrone Alomia, Hector Espinal, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Jason Suarez. Profiled most recently in Men’s Health, the four friends have connected over the positive impact running has had for them. As their profile in Men’s Health notes, “These four guys—who’ve adopted the nickname ‘Pansa Boyz’ (“panza” the word for “belly” in Spanish)—weigh almost a ton combined. Recently, they teamed up to relay both the North Face Endurance 50K Challenge and the Brooklyn Mile, the native New Yorkers aren’t slowing down anytime soon—at least not because of their size.” ------ ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc ------ --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Our guest for today’s show is one of the fastest ladies in New York City after she just ran 2:33:52 at the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13. She also owns a runner-up finish from the 5,000 meters at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships from her days at the University of Texas. It’s Mia Behm. On this show, you’ll hear the story of her start in the sport while in Texas, her surprising finish at the NCAA championships and then dealing with injuries that followed her highest moment. After some time running post collegiately in Austin, Mia moved to New York, watched her friends try the marathon and then curiosity got the best of her. It’s safe to say testing the marathon has been a great decision as she now eyed the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. How she ran 2:33 while running less than 60 miles per week and balancing a job that requires a two-hour commute from Brooklyn to Connecticut is truly remarkable. ▶ Keep up with Mia on Instagram: /https://www.instagram.com/miabehm/ ------ Sign up for the TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 5K Powered by Strava! Be a part of the NYC Marathon festivities and excitement by racing for free and from wherever in the world. This free virtual 5K race unites thousands of runners and millions of friends, family, and spectators in support of those taking on the streets of New York City in the TCS New York City Marathon. 🏃 Register here: https://nyrr.org/races/tcsnewyorkcitymarathonvirtual5k ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 Photo by Zach Hetrick. IG: instagram.com/zhetrick 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Emily Abbate is a freelance writer, certified trainer and the brains behind the Hurdle podcast, where she speaks with some of the best success stories in the health and wellness space about their own respective obstacles in life. Emily's work has appeared in GQ, Shape, Runner's World, The Wall Street Journal, Esquire and many more places. While balancing her career in the media space, she is also an avid runner who just qualified for the Boston Marathon with a personal best of 3:28:08 at the 2019 Chicago Marathon. Before getting there, Emily weighed 204 pounds as a freshman at the University of Connecticut and decided that she needed to make a lifestyle change when she read that number on the scale. She lost 70 pounds and has been committed to an active life through a healthier diet and a love for running. Hear about her weightloss journey, how she got hooked on the sport, why the cold/windy 2014 New York City Marathon is the best day of her life and some of the highs and lows from her time in the ever-changing journalism landscape. ▶ Follow Emily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyabbate Catch the Hurdle podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdle/id1330434098?mt=2 ------ Sign up for the TCS New York City Marathon – Virtual 5K Powered by Strava! Be a part of the NYC Marathon festivities and excitement by racing for free and from wherever in the world. This free virtual 5K race unites thousands of runners and millions of friends, family, and spectators in support of those taking on the streets of New York City in the TCS New York City Marathon. 🏃 Register here: http://Nyrr.org/Marathon5K/RONYC ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc 👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.bonfire.com/store/citius-mag/ --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 Photo by Zach Hetrick. IG: instagram.com/zhetrick 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

"I think the biggest lesson that I've learned from running is what I learned this spring from getting injured. It was learning that this activity that's become so much a part of my friendships, relationships with other people and the spiritual practice I have, one of my biggest fears, as a result, was not having that. What I learned this spring really is that running has actually been preparing me to not have it someday. At some point, it's not going to be there anymore so how is it changing me along the way. I think that's where we start getting into the transcendence Honestly, I don't give a fuck about the crews. I don't even want to know who is who and who is what. It's just so low in the mix for me as to why we're doing this and what the big picture is. I wish people gave more attention to what's going on inside and how their spiritual geometry is changing as a result of this." Sam Anderson and Iman Smith of Black Roses NYC join podcast over some wine at Contra (138 Orchard St). Sam is the wine and beverage director at Wildair and Contra in the Lower East Side. You may recognize him from the May 2018 cover of Runner’s World, where he opened up about his life and how he turned his life around from a life of partying that included lots of drinking and drugs to a life of running and mindfulness for the better. Iman Smith is a creative director who also serves as a run coach in the city. Back in September, he was hit by a car so his plans to run the NYC Marathon were in jeopardy. IMan and Sam decided to run the New York City Marathon together just a few weeks ago and hearing them recount their experience is what teammates are all about. ▶ Follow Sam on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sam4nderson/ ▶ Follow Iman on Instagram: www.instagram.com/soswanky/ Support for this episode comes from RAGNAR. To learn more about Ragnar Relays, the different relay formats, and to see where Ragnar has races in 2020, visit www.runragnar.com/runnersofnyc. Registration is open for almost all 2020 races, and listeners of this podcast can take $100 off any overnight relay in 2020 by using RUNNYC at checkout. ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc 👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: www.bonfire.com/store/citius-mag/ --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 Photo by Christian Brecheis. IG: instagram.com/christianbrecheis 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

We were very fortunate to host one last live recording of the show for 2019 at the Equinox Hudson Yards Hotel. We got to share the storytelling process of how Brenden Clarke diversified his photography work to chronicle the 2019 Orchard Street Runners Midnight Half. Much like the unsanctioned race, sometimes it’s about taking a risk and trusting your instinct. We also sat down with Jordan O'Donoghue and Sasha Whittle to get their perspective on the race as well as their background in the sport. ▶ Follow Brenden on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brenden.jpeg/ ▶ Follow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanodonoghue/ ▶ Follow Sasha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashafiercey/ PURCHASE Above the Midnight Half: https://osr-nyc.myshopify.com/products/above-the-midnight-half-by-brenden-clarke Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. They have curated the top fitness recovery and wellness machines and combined them with classic techniques to elevate each individual’s pursuit of natural performance and overall physical and mental wellbeing. FICS will concierge you through their modalities and provide you a space to relax, recover, and unwind at their modern-day athlete's spa. Use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc 👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: www.bonfire.com/store/citius-mag/ --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 Photo by Adrian Umpierrez: https://www.instagram.com/umpz/ 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com

Before we close 2019, we wanted to share one of the most moving and inspiring stories from this year's New York City Marathon. In the days after the race, Nike released a two-minute video titled "Lessons From My Champ" that told the story of how Victoria Fortune used her first marathon as a way to celebrate the life of her father, who passed away in November 2018. Victoria was a member of Nike's Project Moonshot, the 16-week summer training plan, and connected with the running community during her grieving process. We heard more about Victoria when she was part of a long run hosted by Old Man Run Club in November. We spoke with her and wanted to share more of her story on the podcast. We learn about her upbringing in Maryland, how she's never been someone to take an opportunity for granted, what she does for work with Global Citizen and eventually her epic day at the NYC Marathon. What comes next for her after running her first marathon and how does she want to get more involved in the sport? She opens up with us. ▶ Follow Victoria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicmofo/ Support for this episode comes from FICS NYC (206 West 23rd Street, 3rd Floor) a fitness recovery and wellness studio. They have curated the top fitness recovery and wellness machines and combined them with classic techniques to elevate each individual’s pursuit of natural performance and overall physical and mental wellbeing. FICS will concierge you through their modalities and provide you a space to relax, recover, and unwind at their modern-day athlete's spa. Use code RUNNERSOFNYC to get 20% off all services, packages and memberships (only for first month). First-time users also get their choice of one modality for free on their initial visit. 📧 NEWSLETTER SIGN UP - https://mailchi.mp/6cd793688a6d/runnersofnyc ❤️ Please consider supporting our work. We want to continue pushing out the podcast on a bi-weekly basis and bring you quality audio for our guests. we're simply asking for you to set aside a few dollars that might go toward a coffee or dollar slice to support our work. In return, we'll do our best to put together exclusive episodes, interviews and maybe some video for those supporters. The NYC running community is awesome and we'd appreciate the assistance: www.patreon.com/runnersofnyc 👕 MERCH NOW AVAILABLE HERE: www.bonfire.com/store/citius-mag/ --------- ▶ Follow us: twitter.com/RunnersOfNYC instagram.com/runnersofnyc ▶ Follow Chris twitter.com/ChrisChavez instagram.com/chris_j_chavez www.strava.com/athletes/9032675 ▶ Follow Leigh Anne twitter.com/leighannesharek instagram.com/wicked.la www.strava.com/athletes/10122804 Photo by Zac Hetrick: https://www.instagram.com/zhetrick/ 👔Biz Inquiries/Write Us: runnersofnyc@gmail.com