Third Annual Member Week Is All About Coming Together
This year's Member Week (August 17–22) brought the community together to acknowledge and celebrate the transformative power of running.
Check out the photo gallery to view all the festive events.
Member Week Kickoff Party
The week kicked off on Monday, August 17, with an exclusive members-only event at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. Attendees got the chance to mix and mingle over delicious food and refreshing drinks while learning about special offers and exciting activities happening all week. Members shared stories about their running journeys, and a few New York Road Runners staff spoke about inspiring moments. The night included a drawing for entries to NYRR races.
Member Week Community Night
NYRR members at the Dolby Screening Room.
On Wednesday, August 19, at the Dolby Screening Room in Manhattan, members attended a special screening of short documentaries produced by New York Road Runners' East 89th St Productions, included two Emmy-award nominated films. Special guests shared behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections during a live Q&A session after the screening. Members got the chance to connect with one another for a memorable evening celebrating resilience, community, and the transformative power of running.
Course Strategy and Fireside Chat with Professional Athlete Steph Bruce
On Thursday, August 20, New York Road Runners coaches hosted a virtual course strategy event to help runners achieve their personal best in preparation for the members-only NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K on Saturday, August 22. The event also featured a special interview with professional runner Steph Bruce.
NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K
To cap off an amazing week, runners took on the members-only race in Central Park to celebrate the legacy of Grete Waitz, who won five New York Mini 10K titles—setting road race world records in 1979 and 1980. Runners celebrated post-race, along with family and friends, at the Member Week Festival, where they enjoyed sweet treats and entered a drawing for fun prizes.
Member Week Honoree
Cyntia Gomar holding her Community Spirit Award at the Member Week Festival in Central Park.
Congratulations to NYRR member Cyntia Gomar, who received the Community Spirit Award at the Member Week Festival! The award highlights the exemplary work members do to uplift the community and support New York Road Runners' mission.
Below Cyntia shared what it means to her to be a part of the New York Road Runners community.
"Being a New York Road Runners member means finding my running family. [It] means being part of a community that also runs. Running the races every weekend, or whenever I have a race, keeps me motivated to keep running during the week, and I look forward for a race and training for a race," she said.
"Going for a run and meeting my friends and having the community—they kind of sense when you're down and they lift you, keep you moving, keep you motivated...I have made a lot of nice friends during my runs with Open Run. I met my running family there," Cyntia added.
She also shared her excitement about winning the Community Spirit Award.
"Winning the award was one of the happiest days of my life. I did not see it coming. I love to volunteer. I love to give back to my community. They help me; I help them. Winning this award, it was something I wasn't expecting, and I was so over the moon! I got the news on my birthday, so it was the perfect birthday gift for me...It lifts my heart knowing that I helped someone. Because I've been there when I needed help and they helped me," Cyntia said.