Celebrating 10 Years of Open Runs in Community Parks

In June 2015 New York Road Runners launched NYRR Open Run at St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx. A decade later, the program has expanded to a total of 16 parks in all five NYC boroughs and Jersey City. Open Run has grown in scope and impact with 5,500 Open Run sessions to date and drawing thousands of participants in 2024 alone, an incredible increase from the 100 who took part in the program’s first year.

“For the past 10 years, NYRR Open Run has built community and connection through the simple yet powerful act of running with neighbors in local parks,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO, New York Road Runners. “What started as a small group of runners at St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx has grown into a citywide movement with thousands of people united by the transformative power of running, and we look forward to the next decade of fitness and friendship.”

Special 10-Year Anniversary Celebration at St. Mary's Park

To kick off the 10-year anniversary festivities, New York Road Runners hosted community members of all ages, fitness levels, and backgrounds to a special Open Run at St. Mary’s Park in the Bronx on Saturday, June 21. Check out a few of the photos of the event below and more on our photo gallery.

Throughout summer and into fall, NYRR will be hosting even more celebrations in NYC parks. Check out the list below for details.

Astoria Park, Queens, Saturday, July 26, 9:00 a.m.
Conference House Park, Staten Island, Sunday, July 27, 9:00 a.m.
Marine Park, Brooklyn, Sunday, August 17, 9:00 a.m.
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, Tuesday, October 14, 7:00 p.m.

Inspiring Open Run Participants

Kandi Ottmar Hall of Soundview Park in the Bronx

A regular participant at Soundview Park since 2017, Kandi is now an Open Run Volunteer Captain, dedicating her time every weekend to providing a fun, welcoming, and engaging environment for the Open Run community.

Janelle Hartman of Astoria Park in Queens

Janelle has been with Open Run since the beginning, volunteering at the first-ever St. Mary’s Park Open Run. She discovered running later in life and through Open Run, found people who ran at her pace, giving her confidence to cross any finish line. A committed volunteer across various parks, Janelle refers to the Open Run community as her family.

Jaime Matamoros of Cunningham Park in Queens

An original Open Runner, the program is a family affair for Jaime, with his wife Magdalena son Adrian also participating regularly. The group has been on a health and wellness journey with Open Run and in 2024 they ran the TCS New York City Marathon together for the first time.

Denise Munroe of Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn

In 2017, at the age of 60, Denise ran her first-ever TCS New York City Marathon after being diagnosed as pre-diabetic and losing 40 pounds through running and walking at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Open Run. She is now an Open Run volunteer at the park and hosts annual summer barbecues and holiday events.

New This Year

The NYRR Open Run New Runner Clinic at Morningside Park aims to support beginner runners who are looking to run their first mile. With support from NYRR coaches and local run clubs, participants in the clinic will receive practical tips and tricks and guided training before they complete the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile, September 7. The program is free and takes place at the Morningside Park Open Run location on Saturdays June 28, July 26, August 16, and August 30 at 8:45 a.m.

Throughout the year, New York Road Runners offers a variety of races, community events, and free programming, serving nearly a half a million people as part of its mission to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running.

Find an Open Run near you by visiting our website here.


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