Started in Harlem: NYRR Striders Eclipses 15 Years
More than 160 Striders participated in the 2025 Percy Sutton Harlem 5K to celebrate the program's 15-year anniversary.
What is NYRR Striders?
NYRR Striders is a FREE walking and fitness program that offers physical activity for older adults looking to lead a more active life and meet new people in their local community – all in a safe space. Striders sessions are hosted at sites such as senior centers and community centers across the five boroughs.
NYRR provides expert coaches and equipment to conduct each session.
The program offers a progressive curriculum that focuses on walking and functional fitness to support long-term older adult mobility. Activities include walking, pacing, strength training, balance, agility, and more. Check out the information below to find a session near you so we can move together in stride!
Why Join NYRR Striders?
- NYRR Striders offers a fun and welcoming environment that is a safe space for all where older adults can connect with one another through participating in interactive, rhythmic, musical, and inspiring movements.
- Sessions are guided by an expert coach who embraces a holistic approach to fitness. Studies have shown that walking regularly as well as functional fitness modalities improves mental, physical and emotional health.
- Movement modifications are taught so everyone can successfully work at their own pace.
- You can also join our Striders Facebook community here!
- In addition to supportive coaching, participants receive complimentary entry to select NYRR runs/walk races and invitations to special events. Participants can also earn rewards such as t-shirts, hats. See details on how to earn rewards below.
- Age range for admission: 60+
- Questions? Contact our team at: striders@nyrr.org
- For more FAQs, please visit the NYRR Help Center.
Earn Rewards
- What is the Striders Rewards Program?
The Striders Reward Program is designed to celebrate your milestones. The more sessions you attend, the more you earn.
You can earn Striders-branded gear like shirts, hats, and bags, along with partner-branded sneakers.
This program is based on participation, not pace. Every session counts. - What is the duration of the program?
The program runs from April 1 through March 31 and resets each program year when you re-enroll. Your sessions do not roll over. You must complete your sessions and earn your rewards by March 31.
For 2026, your attendance has been recorded since April 1, and those sessions count toward your progress. - Who is eligible to participate?
All Striders who are currently enrolled and participating in Striders walking or fitness sessions are eligible. - How do I earn rewards?
You earn rewards by attending Striders sessions. Each session you attend counts toward your rewards.
Rewards
- 10 sessions: Striders shirt
- 25 sessions: Striders hat
- 35 sessions: Striders bag
- 48+ sessions: New Balance branded sneakers
- What counts as a session?
Official Striders walking and fitness sessions organized by the program and led by a Striders coach count toward your total.
You can attend sessions at any Striders location across NYC. - Do I need to meet a certain pace or level to earn rewards?
No. This program is not about speed or performance. It is about showing up and staying consistent. - How do I receive my rewards?
Striders' shirts, hats, bags, and New Balance sneakers will be given to you by your Striders coach during a session. - How do I track my progress?
There’s nothing you need to do. Just show up and participate. Your coach tracks your progress through attendance at each session. - Can my sessions or rewards be transferred to someone else?
No, sessions and rewards are not transferable. Rewards are earned by you and claimed by you.
- What is the Striders Rewards Program?
BRONX
|
WEEK DAY |
TIME |
SESSION |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MON |
10:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
1181 Nelson Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10452 |
|
|
TUE |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
1181 Nelson Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10452 |
|
|
WED |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
1380 Metropolitan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462 |
|
|
THU |
11:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
1380 Metropolitan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462 |
|
|
THU |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
625 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY 10473 |
|
|
FRI |
10:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
625 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY 10473 |
BROOKLYN
|
WEEK DAY |
TIME |
SESSION |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TUE |
1:30 p.m. – |
Walking |
196 Albany Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213 |
|
|
TUE |
11:30 a.m. – |
Walking |
630 Mother Gaston Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11212 |
|
|
WED |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
550 Greene Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216 |
|
|
WED |
10:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
460 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 |
|
|
THU |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
460 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 |
|
|
THU |
11:30 a.m. – |
Fitness |
630 Mother Gaston Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11212 |
|
|
THU |
2:00 p.m. – |
Fitness |
550 Greene Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216 |
|
|
FRI |
1:00 p.m. – |
Fitness |
196 Albany Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213 |
MANHATTAN
|
WEEK DAY |
TIME |
SESSION |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MON |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
5th Avenue and 124th Street, New York, NY |
|
|
MON |
10:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
120 West 140th Street New York, NY 10030 |
|
|
TUE |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
Central Park, Fifth Avenue & E 90th Street, New York, NY 10128 |
|
|
TUE |
10:00 a.m. – |
Fitness *Limited Capacity |
171 W 85th Street New York, NY 10024 |
|
|
WED |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
Maine National Monument, Columbus Circle & W 59th Street New York, NY 10019 |
|
|
WED |
2:00 p.m. – |
Fitness |
1301 Amsterdam Avenue, Floor 1, New York, NY 10027 |
|
|
THU |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
Southeast corner of Central Park West and West 85th Street |
|
|
THU |
11:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
34 West 134th Street (between Lenox and Fifth Avenue) New York, NY 10037 |
|
|
FRI |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
West 123rd Street & Morningside Avenue New York NY 10026 |
|
|
FRI |
10:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
120 West 140th Street New York, NY 10030 |
QUEENS
|
WEEK DAY |
TIME |
SESSION |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MON |
9:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
169-65 137th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11434 |
|
|
MON |
11:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
107-24 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368 |
|
|
TUE |
11:00 a.m. – |
Walking |
33-16 108th Street, Corona NY 11368 |
|
|
THU |
10:30 a.m. – |
Fitness |
33-16 108th Street, Corona NY 11368 |
|
|
THU |
1:00 p.m. – |
Walking |
107-24 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368 |
|
|
FRI |
11:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
169-65 137th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11434 |
STATEN ISLAND
|
WEEK DAY |
TIME |
SESSION |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MON |
10:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
120 Anderson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302 |
|
|
TUE |
9:30 a.m. – |
Walking |
230 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310 |
|
|
WED |
10:00 a.m. – |
Fitness |
230 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310 |
|
|
THU |
9:30 a.m. – |
Walking |
120 Anderson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302 |
Donna Nerges: Taking Running in Stride at Age 70
Donna Nerges didn’t think she’d become a runner until her son encouraged her to try. At age 65, she was living in New Jersey during the pandemic and started attending NYRR Striders sessions. Now she’s crossing finish lines at 70.
2025 Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Striders Photo Gallery
More than 160 Striders participated in the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K to celebrate the program’s 15-year anniversary. NYRR Striders began in Harlem in 2010 and has grown to serve hundreds of older adults across all five boroughs.
Striders at the 2025 NYRR Washington Heights Salsa Blues and Shamrocks 5K
On Sunday, March 2, more than 65 NYRR Striders braved the cold participating and completing the NYRR Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K.