Second-Annual Member Week Brings Community Together Once Again

This year's Member Week (August 18–23) was a huge success thanks to everyone who came out to share the joy and camaraderie of running together.

Check out the photo gallery to view all the fun events.

The week kicked off with a special panel event at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub where NYRR members learned about exciting activities and offers available to them, including a drawing for entries to some of NYRR's major races. Members got the chance to share stories about how NYRR has helped them on their running and wellness journeys. It was also a great time for members to mix and mingle and get to know each other better.

On Tuesday morning, members enjoyed invigorating yoga sessions led by NYRR Coach Angie Knudson at the RUNCENTER that left them feeling refreshed, recharged, and relaxed. The sessions were open to all levels and focused on poses that build strength, stretch tight muscles, and help you recover faster.

In the evening, members were treated to a special live taping of Set the Pace with special guests: Carl Radke, of Bravo TV's Summer House, who is training for his first TCS New York City Marathon, Mallory Kilmer, known on Instagram as @runswithmal and who has built one of New York’s biggest free running communities, and Mariana Fernández, Peloton’s first bilingual instructor, leading Tread, yoga, and meditation classes.

Check out the episode below.

On Wednesday evening, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) brought their MOVE Better RUN Better Lab, an interactive screening system that uses cutting-edge technology to identify risk factors that contribute to running-related injuries, to the RUNCENTER for members only. According to HSS, more than half of adult runners report a running-related injury each year.

On Thursday, NYRR coaches hosted a course strategy event to help runners fine-tune their race strategy and achieve their personal best in preparation for the NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K. After the course strategy, members had the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow members and NYRR staff and to enter a special drawing to some of NYRR’s most popular races.

To cap off an amazing week, runners took on the members-only NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K in Central Park, followed by a special post-race festival where members got the chance to enter drawings for fun prizes, enjoyed sweet treats, and toured the newly renovated Delacorte Theater.

Member Week Honorees

At the Member Week post-race festival, NYRR recognized members for the Community Spirit Award, an honor that highlights the exemplary work of uplifting the community and supporting NYRR's mission. Over 100 people wrote in to nominate their fellow members, and we presented our winner and runner up on stage at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park. Below they share what it means to them to be an NYRR member.

Community Spirit Award Winner: Tony Ho Loke

How has NYRR/running influenced your life?

Running has transformed the way I experience my city and my neighborhood. It’s created meaningful connections and a genuine sense of belonging. When I first moved to Long Island City, I felt a little anonymous. Everything changed when I joined my local club, Run LIC. Suddenly, the city opened up in beautiful ways! Running shoulder-to-shoulder with my neighbors as we discovered new corners of Long Island City, Astoria, Greenpoint, and even Prospect Park turned every run into an adventure. Seeing familiar faces from my running group in daily life fills me with joy and reminds me how running brings us closer together. NYRR has played a huge role in this journey; its races give me the chance to meet people from every part of the city, making New York feel truly like home.

What has inspired you most in your running journey?

Nothing inspires me more than the amazing people who make up my running community at Run LIC. Our group is as diverse and energetic as New York City itself. I am endlessly moved by the way runners of all backgrounds—every age, race, profession, and athletic ability—come together to lift each other up, whether we’re conquering a race, tackling an ambitious long run, or just doing a spontaneous workout. The camaraderie, encouragement, and unity I witness time and time again remind me that running truly is the great equalizer. It brings out the best in all of us and makes every mile more meaningful.

Community Spirt Award Runner Up: Ana Pichardo

How did you first get involved with NYRR?

I got involved with NYRR by a dear friend in 2019 who invited me to a run club and suggested I sign up for NYRR races. I signed up for the Bronx 10 miler, it was my first race. The adrenaline and people cheering me on [kept] my body flowing through each mile with a finish time of 1:14.

How has NYRR/running influenced your life?

NYRR has influenced my life by keeping me grounded by providing both physical and mental-wellbeing. And what has inspired me the most about my running journey [is how] I developed overcoming personal challenges and finding resilience.

You May Also Like...

Set the Pace: Special Live Taping for Member Week with Carl Radke, Mallory Kilmer, and Mariana Fernández

NYRR Member Week Brings Community Together