Local Running Clubs Respond to Coronavirus

With racing plans upended and group running no longer available, how are local running clubs coping? We turned to the websites of some local running clubs for insight into how they are navigating the new world of running and supporting their members during the coronavirus pandemic. Their creativity, imagination, and positive spirit inspires us—we hope it will cheer you as well. Together, we will get through this difficult time—and in the meantime, local teams seem to be united in communicating that health and safety concerns are paramount.

Please note that communications highlighted below are current as of March 17 and will almost certainly change, so check club websites and social media for the latest updates.

How is your club coping? How are you personally responding as a runner in this environment? We want to hear from you.

Health and Safety First

On March 16, Front Runners New York announced the halt of all FRNY activities until further notice and provided guidelines for the time ahead. “The goal of these guidelines is to protect the members’ health and so that the club does not serve as a vector to transmit the novel coronavirus, while continuing to serve the club’s purpose,” a statement on the website read. It provided links to info and guidelines for good hygiene, avoiding public spaces, and other ways of halting the virus’s spread. “The club will follow all orders and guidance from applicable jurisdictions. These will evolve as the situation evolves,” the announcement says.

Prospect Park Track Club and other clubs asked that runners avoid training in groups. "We also request that no club channels of communications, including the Facebook Member Discussion Page or the Google Forum, be used to facilitate any group runs," their website reads.

Staying Fit

November Project, an international running and fitness organization with affiliates in 52 cities, including NYC, cancelled workouts and social events worldwide. “As an organization that thrives on community engagement, group fitness, and defying social norms, it pains us to have to postpone all workouts until further notice, but it is our responsibility to protect the health of our members, leaders, and family members throughout the world,” the announcement reads.

November Project is continuing its virtual workouts for members to do at home. “We hope you all continue to sweat with us, sharing your workout via photos, videos, and stories….Please continue to practice every day healthy habits as well as social distancing to limit exposure,” reads its homepage.

November Project NYC has been posting daily workouts on its Facebook page with members logging in for a virtual workout experience at the group’s customary meeting time of 6:28 a.m. Starting March 13, the NYC chapter started online workouts including plank arm raises and leg raises, ARMageddon exercises, and more.

Staying Connected

Central Park Track Club suspended all workouts and gatherings starting March 17, urging members to stay connected in other ways. “Find ways to connect with your teammates digitally,” wrote the club’s president, Greg Cass, in an email, urging them to log workouts and support one another through social-fitness networks. “If you have a training partner(s) that you're able to run with while following all of the latest health/safety guidelines (constantly evolving so pay attention!), that may not be a bad thing.”

New York Flyers suspended group runs, workouts, and social events through at least April 12, and posted a letter on its website from the board of directors. “As a social club, this decision did not come lightly,” it reads. “Of course, we can't stop you from reaching out to fellow Flyers, and in fact, messaging someone to go for a run might help with feelings of social isolation during this difficult time. We just ask that you use your best judgment, follow all directives from government officials, and if you are at all feeling unwell, do stay home.”

In announcing the suspension of their runs and events, Crown Heights Running Club’s council wrote, “We know that you might be disappointed by this news, but remember that CHRC membership doesn’t stop at the end of a run. We are thinking through an idea to set up some virtual workouts as a way for CHRC members to come together and workout from the safety of their home – please stay tuned (and stay healthy)!”

All In This Together

Dashing Whippets Running Team cancelled team runs and events “to safeguard our members against COVID-19 and to help reduce the spread of this highly contagious virus in our broader community.”

“We are actively monitoring this evolving situation, and will keep the team updated on a regular basis,” wrote DWRT co-founder and vice president Matt Wong, on behalf of the board.

Clearly, clubs are stepping up to the shared responsibility of protecting the greater community. As the Flyers website notes, “We all have an obligation to each other and especially to our most vulnerable.”