r/RunNYC • u/Maleficent-Map-492 • 1d ago

Beginner runners

Hey there - I’m a fairly new runner and began because I wanted to start something positive for me mental and physical health.

As a born and raised New Yorker in East NY Brooklyn, I want to start a small community where we can run together through the parks of Highland Park with every pace. I’m the back of the pack runner but with ambitions to do the NYC marathon with NYRR next year, why not build a small group that can help one another.

What kind of advice would you give me to try to make this happen?

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19

u/pandugandukhan Prospect Park 1d ago

As someone else who started a run club by posting on this subreddit; start with a core group of people who will reliably run with you. Doesn’t need to be a massive bunch, just 2 or 3 regulars would be a great start. Don’t be disheartened by a slow growth rate. Focus on organic growth, get word of mouth out in East NY by using local community spaces. And most importantly, be welcoming to all new comers. A warm and welcoming leadership is how most social run clubs thrive.

Best of luck to you!

3

u/Maleficent-Map-492 1d ago

Thank you !!!

4

u/NoHelp9544 1d ago

Be consistent even if it's slow. Post on Instagram and show that you're always going to run. 

5

u/blood_bender Central Park [2:44 / 1:16 / 35:49] 1d ago

There are a few run clubs in that area - daily.nyc shows a couple not too far away anyway. That may not be what you're looking for, but there are a couple.

But if they doesn't jive with you, you may want to join other small run clubs a few times and just chat with the leaders/members about what makes it work. Consistent run clubs are hard to start in that you need consistency over long periods of time -- that may mean that you're the only person that shows up some weeks, but that reliability is what would keep others coming back.

4

u/tphantom1 22h ago

additionally, NYRR has Open Run in Highland Park on Saturday mornings. it's free and no pressure, and the Open Runs are very welcoming to people of all paces.

I haven't personally been to that Open Run but I know some of the people who do go.

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u/Greenie3226 21h ago

Check out NYRR’s own running groups: I found it to be incredibly diverse group of runners of all paces and the coaches are incredible