For Women's History Month, The Staff of NYRR Share Their Favorite Moments

For many of us at New York Road Runners, running is not just our jobs, it is a big part of our lives. For Women’s History Month, some of the women on the amazing staff here at NYRR shared their favorite moments connected to women’s running, and why running is important to them.

Jacki Bares, with NYRR for 2.5 years

Definitely the NYRR New York Mini 10K. From being fully submerged in it on the marketing side as the marketing lead, to actually running it, I was able to really feel the energy and empowerment that I spent months imagining and trying to encapsulate leading up to it. Also, meeting so many of the Crazy Legs runners and hearing their stories leading up to race day inspired me to give the 10K distance a shot (after never running further than four miles), and it helped to have so many other NYRR ladies by my side!

Gordon Bakoulis, with NYRR for 17 years

I am super inspired to run the NYRR New York Mini 10K every year, and I hope this year will be no exception. To me, the race symbolizes women's progress in running—not just at the elite level but through all fitness levels. I'm proud and inspired that women now make up nearly 60 percent of all race finishers in the U.S. When I run the NYRR Mini 10K, the world's first all-female road race, founded in 1972, I think about how far we've come, and the difference that running makes in the lives of countless women.

Lela Moore, with NYRR for 6 months

My first half-marathon was a women's race (the Nike Women's Half-Marathon in San Francisco). I had struggled a lot in the lead-up to the race with injuries and self-doubt and it was pretty incredible to look around Union Square at the start of the race and realize all these women were there for the same reason I was, and to draw motivation off them. It was a really supportive environment for getting into distance running.

I ran the 2017 Boston Marathon as part of Kathrine Switzer's 261Fearless charity, which supports the development of women's running groups around the world, particularly in places where it's historically been dangerous for women to run alone (or at all). Hearing Kathrine speak about not being afraid to break barriers and to tackle difficult things head-on was truly inspiring. She's a hero of mine and it was an incredible experience doing a race like Boston, with its history, with a new charity in its first year.

Jill Goodwin, with NYRR for 8 years

Being a race announcer for the Mini10K last year! It felt great to cheer every woman on and support them as they crossed the finish line. I always feel a sense of community at NYRR, but this event felt extra special. I went to Barnard, an all-women's college, and it reminded me how inspiring it is to be in a group of strong powerful women.

Cara Moran, with NYRR for 14 months

The amount of support I received from friends and family when running the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon was so incredible. My best friend told me that I inspired her, and months later she trained and crushed a race of her own! Cheers to women inspiring women!

Jamie Barmakian, with NYRR for 6 months

Whenever I feel like I am in a weird mental space, running always makes me feel refreshed. I feel inspired to make running a habit because it is great for not only my physical health, but mental health too.