Gordon Bakoulis: "I feel like I've always been a runner"
Gordon at the 2025 Mastercard New York Mini 10K.
With the 54th running of the largest-ever Mastercard New York Mini 10K last weekend and the 54th anniversary of Title IX on June 23, we are highlighting a local NYC legendary figure in women's running—Gordon Bakoulis. Gordon qualified for the Olympic marathon trials in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 and was a finalist in the 1992 U.S. Olympic 10,000m trials. She's also the editorial director for New York Road Runners and has worked at NYRR for over 25 years, starting as a freelancer then transitioning to a full-time role. Gordon is also an RRCA-certified running coach and has coached runners at all levels since 1985. Read on to learn about how she got started in the sport, what keeps her motivated, and how the running community has evolved throughout the years.
Describe your entry into running.
I was fortunate to grow up in a safe, clean, green New Jersey suburb in the 1960s and 70s—the kind of place where kids could walk, run, and bike everywhere. We played hours-long games of kick the can, capture the flag, flashlight tag, and other neighborhood classics. In that way, I feel like I’ve always been a runner.
Gordon with her dad and sisters, early 1980s.
During my senior year of high school, a friend convinced me to run with her a few mornings a week before school. Like any teenager, I initially hated getting up early, but very quickly I was hooked. I loved how running made me feel—energized yet calm. I loved connecting with my friend. I loved the predawn quiet. That spring I went out for track and had immediate success, making it to the state championship in the 1,500m. I’d never been good at sports, so this was intoxicating.
How has the running world changed for women since you started in the sport?
Though I’ve been called a women’s running pioneer because I’ve been doing it for nearly 50 years, I consider the true pioneers the women who came before me. Nina Kuscsik, Kathrine Switzer, Marilyn Bevans, Bobbi Gibb, Miki Gorman, Grete Waitz, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and others fought blatant sexism, discrimination, misinformation, and exclusion. Their efforts opened doors that I simply ran through.
That said, I see now that the running world I entered was very male dominated. In 1976, just two years before I started, the first five-borough New York City Marathon had only 63 women finishers in a field of 1,549! Even in 1984, the first year I ran the New York City Marathon, there were over four times as many men as women finishers. Some people saw women runners as masculine or thought we’d damage our reproductive organs.
I see too that the playing field wasn’t level. Men sometimes received more prize money than women. Women Olympians couldn’t run the marathon until 1984 or the 10,000m until 1988. Women’s apparel—such as early running bras—was terrible, and this hindered performance. There were no pregnancy clauses in pro women’s contracts, so they suffered financ
What keeps you motivated after decades of running and competing?
My introduction to running was so gentle and positive. After my one season of high school track, I returned to running for solace and stress relief—I didn’t wear a watch, didn’t log my miles, and raced only a handful of times. Running was important to me, but it wasn’t about performance.
After running the 1984 New York City Marathon for fun, I moved to Manhattan and started running in Central Park. I joined NYRR and signed up for the Mini 10K. I started timing myself on loops around the Reservoir and trying to get faster.
Competing at the 1992 New York Mini 10K.
After the Mini I got recruited to join Atalanta, a women’s running team. Over the next 17 years I qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon (five times) and the 10,000m, represented the USA six times internationally, and twice finished in the top 10 at the New York City Marathon. This period was thrilling, but I’m no longer interested in trying to compete at that level. It was exhausting, especially as I moved up in my career and had kids. I felt like I was never doing enough.
In many ways, running is more fulfilling now than during my competitive heyday. I’ve been coaching since the mid-80s, including a competitive women’s running team until 2012 and NYRR Group Training since 2016.
Coach Gordon with a Group Training runner in Central Park.
I love sharing my passion for running with others and helping them meet the challenges of training and racing. I also love encouraging my adult children on their running journeys.
When I race these days, I still try to push myself, but I don’t achieve the same intensities. I want to avoid injury and continue to enjoy the scenery as the miles tick by.
When you look back at your career, what are you most proud of?
I’m very proud that I represented my country internationally. Every time I had an opportunity to wear the USA singlet, I said yes.
Gordon and her USA teammates at the 1989 World Cup Marathon in Milan, Italy.
My best race was the 1992 World Half Marathon Championships in Gateshead, England. I was a last-minute replacement for an injured runner, so I was still jet-lagged on race morning. I remember lying on a bench before the start, certain I was about to embarrass myself with a terrible performance. I told myself, “Just try.” I set a two-minute PR and led the team to a bronze medal. I look back on that race as a reminder to always just try—you never know!
What has working at New York Road Runners for over 20 years taught you?
Even before I worked here, I loved the role New York Road Runners played in running. They were always trying new things—a race on 5th Avenue, a stair-climb in the Empire State Building—and the community was made up of people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. I was drawn to that.
When I started working here, I learned that inclusivity had always been NYRR’s mission and vision—and that had propelled it from a tiny club to an organization that put on huge races and had thousands of members.
Working here for nearly 24 years, I’ve learned to think boldly yet never ignore the details. I appreciate the inspiring and collaborative work culture we’ve built and that we remain visionary and forward-thinking.
Gordon pictured with NYRR's Ted Metellus and Rob Simmelkjaer as she receives her age-group award at the 2023 NYRR Club Night.
Who in the running community has inspired you?
I’m most inspired—still—by the women pioneers. Their efforts changed millions of lives and continue to do so. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Their barrier-breaking efforts inspired others to break barriers too.
I’m also inspired by the American men—and a few women—who fought to professionalize running in the 1970s and 80s: Bill Rodgers, Frank Shorter, Steve Prefontaine (RIP), Don Kardong, Kenny Moore, and others. They gained little financially from running, but they took a stand to change that for future generations. I wish this history were better known.
What’s one memory that stands out the most?
The 2001 New York City Marathon took place less than two months after 9/11. I’d been working with NYRR, editing some projects as a freelancer. At first, it was unclear the race would even happen. When we finally got the go-ahead, we had to revamp all our communications to reflect the new significance of race day. It was a lot of work during a time when everyone in NYC was emotionally shattered.
I was 40, with preschool-aged kids, and planned to run. On the Verrazzano Bridge before the start I was crying. I told Jonni Lord, who worked with the elite athlete team, that I didn’t think I could run. She hugged me and said I could do it. I still don’t know how I ran; there are no words for how it felt.
United We Run banner during the 2001 New York City Marathon.
What do you hope to do in the next phase of your life?
I’m going to write a memoir. Also: afternoon naps, Lincoln biographies, WWII podcasts, leisurely strolls along the Hudson River.
Running along the course at the 2025 NYRR Ted Corbitt 15K.
Author: Stephanie Loleng