2.4 BROOKLYN: men to watch

Take The Bridge October 5, 2016

Take The Bridge Queensboro had our deepest, fastest men’s field to date. You needed a 5:20 pace - on that steep, brutal course - to crack the top eight. We think the TTB Brooklyn guys are even deeper. Yes. 6 of our top 10 return, plus three additions you’ll see profiled below. This race demands a different strategy from Queensboro -- the ramp is gentler, and the course just 1.2 miles. So we know sparks will fly out of the gate.

Let’s get to know the men’s contenders who will challenge the runners you’ve gotten to know in our past profiles, like Tim Rossi, Daniel Marin and Zach Rivers.

SEAN MAHON

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Sean has proven speed and guts. He’s our top returner from TTB Queensboro, and he’s mile-race sharp. ‘Nuff said.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Sean ran track and XC at Calhoun High on Long Island, and at CW Post University. This year, he’s been killing it across a range of distances and surfaces. That includes a victory at last month’s Main Street Mile in Farmingdale (4:26), and a 4:29 on the track at NBR’s McCarren Park Track Classic in April. In the winter, he ran a 9-flat indoor 3000m and a half-marathon PR of 1:14.

TTB EXPERIENCE: Sean lit up TTB Queensboro with a gutsy runner-up performance. He won the prime and pushed winner Jerry Faulkner to the end. He called the race the hardest he’s done, but also the most fun. Like his teammate Victoria, Sean snuck into TTB Queensboro under the radar (our fault). But he enters TTB Brooklyn as one of the favorites.

CREW/CLUB: Bellmore Striders

MILE PR: 4:24 / 4:05 1500

5K PR: 15:45

JASON LAKRITZ

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Mile chops, with two hot races in two months. Jason ran 4:26 at Brooklyn Running Company’s Brooklyn Mile in August, and followed with up a 4:23 at Fifth Ave Mile. Don’t let the photo fool you -- Jason ALWAYS waits an hour after eating before he runs. So you’re not gonna get him there.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Ran for Florida State and Long Island University. Has represented Urban Athletics since 2011.

TTB EXPERIENCE: Making a debut!

CREW/CLUB: Urban Athletics and Finish Line PT

MILE PR: 3:57 (1500)

5K PR: 14:46 "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away"

JOHN HONERKAMP

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: A former pro middle-distance runner, John can still show those young guns a thing or two. He took 5th place in his inaugural TTB this year, and will be right at home on this short, fast course. Hey kids, this guy has a 1:47 800 PR. Show him no mercy because he’s not showing you any!

RUNNING BACKGROUND: A college star at St John’s and 1996 Olympic Trials semi-finalist at 800 meters, “Coach John” is a fixture on the NYC running scene. He has truly has made a career out of the sport we love, as a coach at NYRR, a speaker and educator, and co-head of November Project NYC. We know that if any celebrities (besides John) ran TTB, John would be the guy to pace them. If they could keep up.

TTB EXPERIENCE: 5th place in his TTB debut, TTB Manhattan 2016, behind November Project teammate Myles Fennon. What made him join race it? "I wanted to try something non-traditional, he says. I love the race and the rogue nature of the event."

CREW/CLUB: November Project

MILE PR: 4:01*

5K PR: we’re not sure, but it’s fast

* set during Tim Rossi’s childhood.

PHOTO BY True Speed Photo — PHOTO BY *True Speed Photo*

WIL CRAMER

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Wil is a talented dude with several quick performances in his hometown Atlanta. He’s not only on the injury comeback but also new to NYC. We’re exciting to see what he’s got.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: A high school track and x-c runner, Wil was strong in the Atlanta road racing circuit from the 5-K to the half marathon. He won the 2015 Georgia Publix Half-Marathon in 1:16:54.

TTB EXPERIENCE: TTB debut (and NYC racing debut)! Will says he’s “heard amazing things about the TTB experience” and wanted to do a race that “feels totally unique to the New York running community”. He hopes this will be his first of many times racing TTB. We hope so too!

CREW/CLUB: Run Brooklyn Apparel

MILE PR: 4:32 (yep, high school times count)

5K PR: 15:50ish

2.4 BROOKLYN: women to watch

Take The Bridge October 5, 2016

We took the brave move of predicting the Take The Bridge Queensboro women’s race as “hard to call”. You know, that’s like saying “somebody” will be named our president as of November 9. So this time? Maybe harder to call. Three of our top four ladies from last race return, and man were they close last time. Just 6 seconds separated second-place Elizabeth Laseter, third-place Victoria Kornieva-Robitaille and fourth-place Leigh Anne Sharek. And don’t forget Take The Bridge Brooklyn is half the distance, at just 1.2 miles. You can bet this race will be fast from the gun and tight at the finish.

You know Elizabeth’s and Leigh Anne’s stories from past profiles. Get to know Victoria, TTB newcomer Emmi Aguillard, and TTB veteran Erin Higgins.

VICTORIA KORNIEVA-ROBITAILLE

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Victoria can flat-out run, in the TTB sweet spot of 1 mile to 5K. She knows the TTB drill, having run very tough on the Queensboro. We love her mile speed. She flew in under the radar (our fault) to last race, but now she enters as one of the favorites.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Ran competitively as a high-schooler in Ukraine, then won a scholarship there to run collegiate track and cross-country. Took a break, and eased back into running ‘just for fun’ after moving to the States. Victoria says she is now in ‘the best shape ever’ thanks to two years of training under Long Island’s Bellmore Striders. Victoria is proud of her many strong mile races this year, given she’d ‘much rather run a half marathon than a mile on any given day’. Victoria has been killing it in 2016. That includes a win at the tough and hilly Kings Park 15k, and PRs at 5K (17.36) and the road mile (5:01). #anditsonlyoctober

TTB EXPERIENCE: Victoria ran strong from the gun in her inaugural TTB, en route to third place. She admits the race was harder than she expected, calling the downhill on the way back was ‘just brutal’. And there was ice cold beer as a motivator, she points out!

CREW/CLUB: Bellmore Striders

MILE PR: 5:01 (road) / 5:07 (track)

5K PR: 17:36

EMMI AGUILLARD

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Every TTB race has a fast debut performance, and we pick Emmi to impress for the women. She has mile fitness, and the motivation to boost Dashing Whippets in the team standings. TTB women, meet your X-factor.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Emmi ran D1 track and cross-country for Tulane University (although she admits to enjoying New Orleans a little too much. How could you not?). She has run for the Whippets since moving to New York to study physical therapy. Emmi ran 5:27 to win the Open Division of Brooklyn Mile in August, and a recent 18:53 at Bronx 5K. She ran her first marathon at New York last year. Next stop, Boston 2017!

TTB EXPERIENCE: Making a debut! Emmi did make it to the best part of TTB Queensboro - the afterparty. She says she loves the ‘cool, local feel’ of the race series, but always had schedule conflicts in the way of signing up. We’re glad she’s free for this one!

CREW/CLUB: Dashing Whippets and Finish Line PT

MILE PR: 4:46 1500

5K PR: 18:23 X-C

ERIN HIGGINS

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Erin is a gutsy staple of our series who is at home racing at night. She has plenty of talent and experience. Expect her to run hard.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Erin ran four years of high school track and cross-country. Following a long layoff due to injury, she picked up training with a track club in NJ a few years ago and has slowly gotten back to racing. She admits to fighting a recent injury, and we respect her for still coming to race. Big goal right now? Stay healthy to rock it at Boston 2017.

TTB EXPERIENCE: 5th place in her TTB debut, TTB Manhattan 2016, behind teammate Leigh Anne. Took 10th in the hyper-competitive TTB Queensboro last month. Erin calls her TTB experience ‘amazing’ (thanks Leigh Anne for convincing her to sign up!). And she says the rush of racing at night is one her favorite things about Take The Bridge. Well, this one starts two hours later than usual!

CREW/CLUB: Brooklyn Navy Track Crew

MILE PR: 5:09

5K PR: 18:38

2.4 BROOKLYN BRIDGE CO-HOST: RESIDENT RUNNERS

Take The Bridge October 3, 2016

Co-Hosts of our final bridge, Resident Runners is a small crew of runners, who gather together weekly to outrun one another. Co-founders Eric Blevens, Raymond Hailes, and Rahsaan Rogers, know that running is more then just training for your next race, but instead about the community formed outside of running. We couldn't agree more! Read on to hear what inspired their formation, and how you can join them on Saturdays to eat tacos and drink too many margaritas (and beer).

PHOTO BY MICHELLE KIM  |  @michellekimphoto — PHOTO BY MICHELLE KIM | @michellekimphoto

RESIDENT RUNNERS . . . GROUP, CLUB, OR CREW?

CREW, but the definition/difference between a crew and club probably varies depending on whom you're talking to. For us, crews represent a different approach to running, primarily as a lifestyle in which running is only one of many variables - not just training or a means to an end regarding races. We don't just run, we don't just train, we do it on top of building bonds, bridges, and community outside of running. For Resident Runners in particular, we consider our weekly meetings to run on Thursdays a reminder of our brotherhood and importance of the bond we've developed as friends, then runners. But trust us, we don't take things too seriously!

TELL US THE HISTORY AND INSPIRATION FOR RESIDENT RUNNERS. HOW HAS THE GROUP EVOLVED?

Resident Runners began in March of 2013 as co-founder Raymond Hailes urged co-founder Eric Blevens to start their own crew. The inspiration came from watching notable crews like Bridge Runners do running differently. At its inception, there was no real direction or definitive goal for what Resident Runners would be. It grew naturally over the course of a year until the third official member, Rahsaan Rogers, randomly showed up at our door for a TACO RUN... and that's that. Over the last two years we've grown in bond, visibility, and size - now holding weekly runs of 15-20 runners compared to 4-5 only last year. While still only 3 official crew members, the Resident Runners family is comprised of runners, other crews, and friends who show up on Thursdays to run, Saturdays to eat & drink, and any other instance they're looking for a good time.

WHAT SETS RESIDENT RUNNERS APART FROM OTHER CREWS IN THE CITY?

We're small. Like, just three dudes small. We consider this to be a real strength, our "strength in numbers." Founded on the relationship and love that we have as friends, our approach to running and the events we host maintain the same simple approach: showing up, running, and then hanging. No other incentive, nothing promised, just running, good energy, and a near 100% guarantee of beer at some point. We owe our awesome times to the other crews and runners we call friends that also show up bringing the same energy and ability to have a good time.

WHERE IS YOUR HOME BASE?

SoHo is definitely home now. After partnering with Under Armour Run in October of 2015, we moved our Resident Runners HQ to the Under Armour Brand House on Broadway and have been loving every minute/mile. Our Thursday runs are known to be fast, with no pace groups or stops. We post the route ahead of time on our website and Instagram, plus have it available for everyone to view and follow on MapMyRun during the run. We treat Thursdays like a tempo, with whomever is feeling good setting the pace and everyone else chasing from the start. While it's possible some runners get left behind at some point, we encourage everyone to push and chase that person in front of them for as long as they can... In doing so you sometimes get lost, learn new routes, and definitely improve your pace over time. And at the end of the run, once everyone is done, we head nearby for beers to hang.

HOW CAN WE GET IN ON THESE TACO RUNS YOU ORGANIZE??

Simple, once a month on a given Saturday, it's going down! We post the TACO RUN dates in advance on our website (residentrunners.com/calendar) and post flyers on Instagram the week or so leading up. The next TACO RUN will be on October 29th, so mark your calendar and think of your excuse to cut work... we hear the flu is going around that time of year. Otherwise, show up ready for a chill run and 4-5 hours of tacos & margaritas at Gueros Brooklyn.

FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTE?

We have a 5.6 mile route that takes us from the Under Armour Brand House in Soho, over the Williamsburg bridge, down Bedford Avenue to Grand, to Kent up to Broadway and then back over the Williamsburg bridge back to the Brand House. It's a killer route because its always fast and we hit the bridge back to back, so you have to get your mind right to speed over the bridge on the way back into the city to finish the run.

FAVORITE BRIDGE?

Definitely the Williamsburg bridge. We run that bridge more than the others. Manhattan is always a good choice for a quick crossing too since it's the least crowded.

FAVORITE WORKOUT?

Tempo run. There's no stopping and no off time. Run as fast as you can for as long as you can. Tempo runs show you what you're made of. /// The workout that you don't know anything about. It's something about not knowing what you're getting into, it really pushes you to get it over with. Also, any workout with the three of us because it gives us an opportunity to push each other.

FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT FOR POST RUN RE-FUELING? COFFEE OR BEER?

After our Thursday night runs we hydrate at Bleecker Street Bar. Other than that, you can find us at Guero's or Rosco's Pizza in Brooklyn. Beer is always on the menu.

FAVORITE TACO SPOT?

Gueros. Easily. It's like a second home. Always get the large frozen margarita, be a champion.

PHOTO BY MELISSA HOLTZ - @melisinestudio — PHOTO BY MELISSA HOLTZ - @melisinestudio

2.4 BROOKLYN BRIDGE CO-HOST: GIRLS RUN NYC

Take The Bridge September 25, 2016

Jessie Zapo has been shaping our local running community for over a decade. She began with Bridgerunners, co-created Black Roses, and has gone on to form our TTB Brooklyn co-host: Girls Run NYC. As her friends and colleagues, we appreciate her strength, down-to-earth personality and commitment to grassroots running. We hope you get to know her through our interview:

GIRLS RUN NYC . . . GROUP, CLUB, OR CREW?

Girls Run NYC is a collective. It is an open community of women that started around an open women's workout that I started in the end of 2014. The women who run with Girls Run NYC often belong to other running clubs/crews/communities as well. We are not exclusive and aim to be inclusive.

JESSIE, YOU ARE A LEADING FIGURE IN THE RUNNING COMMUNITY. TELL US THE STORY OF HOW YOU CAME TO RUNNING, AND THE EVOLUTION TO WHERE YOU ARE AT TODAY WITH GIRLS RUN NYC.

I grew up an athlete, but left sports (track & field and volleyball) behind when I decided to pursue a life as an artist and then came back to running in my 20's when I was invited to join the Bridgerunners. What is different though, is that at that time there wasn't an "urban running scene"; there was just a couple of guys getting together in Chinatown to run over the bridges.

Now ten years later, it seems that the world caught on that running is pretty great, and of course "athleisure" is popping so I guess we did what we aimed to do, which was make running cool. I joined Bridgerunners around 2005 ish and then co-founded Black Roses NYC in 2012...then started the BKfastclub as a very casual conceptual morning run club in 2013 and then created Girls Run NYC in the very end of 2014.

My aim is to keep evolving with culture and ideas about running and what people need from it, and what is sustainable long term because I'm in it for the long haul. I want to be holistic in my approach, and that's where the focus has been with Girls Run NYC.

PHOTO BY DAVID JAEWON OH - @thisisdizzle. — PHOTO BY DAVID JAEWON OH - @thisisdizzle.

TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR GIRLS RUN NYC. HOW HAS IT EVOLVED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND WHERE DO YOU SEE THE GROUP MOVING IN THE COMING YEARS? HOW IS GIRLS RUN NYC DIFFERENT THEN OTHER RUNNING GROUPS IN THE CITY?

I have always enjoyed training women and training with women. I have trained with women a lot through Bridgerunners, starting Black Roses in 2012 and then finally creating a women's specific running collective Girls Run NYC and it has always given me life! I particularly focus on the community building aspect, and I want to give women tools that they can take with them.

Girls Run NYC started as a pop-up run, and I wanted it to organically grow so that I could get an idea of what women responded to. I have some things in the works for Girls Run NYC that I can't share yet, but it will evolve again soon-- and I'm excited about that. I guess what really makes us different right now is that we are an All Women's Collective and we are also in constant communication with each other, so it's become kind of a powerful network of women who are connected in an authentic way.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR WEEKLY RUNS.

Brooklyn is home base and our workouts are weekly at McCarren Park Track. If we organize other runs it might be out of my apt. in Ft. Greene or some of the other women's places. We used to meet for long runs out of the LES in the summer. Sometimes we do pop-up runs downtown Manhattan as well.

THIS WILL BE GIRLS RUN NYC’S FIRST TIME BEING A PART OF OUR BRIDGE RACES, BUT THE GIRLS ARE NO STRANGERS TO URBAN RACING. MANY OF YOUR RUNNERS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN OSR RACES, AND YOU HAD A STRONG PRESENCE IN THE RED HOOK CRIT 5K THIS YEAR. WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE URBAN RACING SCENE BEEN, AND WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST IN HOSTING TTB?

We have all paces and abilities in our collective...so it's a beautiful thing to have Girls race competitively alongside other Girls who are just there to challenge themselves. The urban racing scene is fun because it's relatively underground, which I love. It's also often our friends and peers participating in urban races so it can feel like an intimate community.

We are excited and honored to be hosting the race. A lot of us are often racing, cheering or volunteering so this TTB will be an opportunity for us to do that as a team. I think all aspects are equally exciting and vital to the race experience and to running culture...so it will be a really fun night for us. I am most looking forward to cheering the runners on!

FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTE?

Favorite run route is along Flatbush Ave. to Rockaway Beach. We can make it between 13 & 16 miles.

FAVORITE BRIDGE?

I can't choose a favorite. I love bridges in general. I have run the Manhattan bridge more than any, and love it at night and early morning. The Brooklyn Bridge is amazing at dawn and the Williamsburg bridge is perfect at the magic hour.

FAVORITE WORKOUT?

Track work with Intervals of 400 or 800.

FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT FOR POST RUN RE-FUELING? COFFEE OR BEER?

Girls Run NYC holds court at Sottocasa Pizzeria in Williamsburg after track on Wed. nights. Great vibes and rose all day.

02.3 QUEENSBORO: RACE RECAP

Take The Bridge September 18, 2016

We'll say it. We had some concerns about Take The Bridge Queensboro, with its tight course that left little space for runners to maneuver around bike traffic. We scouted the course a dozen times, with some help from host crews Lost Boys and MTAR, before we were satisfied. With spots selling out within an hour of our opening registration, we knew the race -- part two of our three-part 2016 series -- would be our biggest and fastest to date. There were two sold-out fields, a full waitlist and an awesome vibe on social media. All this before even announcing the directions to the afterparty (and its promised ice cold beer)?! Hmm, maybe we were on to something.

Fast-forward to race night. In muggy late-summer conditions, 23 men and 23 women bested a technical course that started and finished on the Queensboro's steep three-quarter mile ramp. The loaded fields delivered fast times and tight races. New runners represented -- the top three men and women made a Take The Bridge debut. Crew love abounded -- three quarters of all registrants had a team affiliation. November Project and Brooklyn Navy Track Crew turned out in force for the women, while co-host Lost Boys put three men in the top five. And there was finisher's confetti. Yes, confetti!

Photo by Christophe Tedjasukmana (@menblowsmoke)"As a runner, it is a little intimidating…[to] see just how hard the conditions were on these crazy fast ladies that I look up to."         Tim Rossi, three-time placer in TTB … — Photo by Christophe Tedjasukmana (@menblowsmoke)
"*As a runner, it is a little intimidating…[to] see just how hard the conditions were on these crazy fast ladies that I look up to."* Tim Rossi, three-time placer in TTB top 5

THE WOMEN

Notre Dame track and cross-country alumna Meg Ryan threw down a powerful TTB debut, converting an early lead into the prime and the win. But three ladies followed within 12 seconds -- Dashing Whippets’ Elizabeth Laseter, Long Island’s Bellmore Striders’ Victoria Kornieva-Robitaille and Brooklyn Navy Track Crew’s Leigh Anne Sharek, a two-time TTB winner and three-time prime winner. We knew the women’s race would be hard to call, as two-time defending winner Jennie Cohen (Dashing Whippets) was out recovering from hip surgery (speedily, we hope Jennie!). But such a strong performance across the field sent a message to the fans -- and the men, waiting to race -- that this event had reached a new level.

"The hardest race I’ve done [but] also the most fun."    Sean Mahon, prime winner, second-place man in TTB QueensboroPhoto by Janelle Hartman (@janhart26) — *"The hardest race I’ve done [but] also the most fun."* Sean Mahon, prime winner, second-place man in TTB Queensboro
Photo by Janelle Hartman (@janhart26)

THE MEN

“I have ran this bridge many times. I know the inclines also the slopes in the downgrade. But I could not go in like I was going to walk away with the win.”

Jerry Faulkner may be too humble to admit it, but he was the heavy favorite to win the men’s race. We predicted it (and that wasn’t exactly going out on a limb). Jerry is one of the fastest men in NYC, and was determined not to lose on his home bridge. And he delivered, averaging 4:50 per mile over the brutal 2.25 mile out-and-back course from the Queens side of bridge.

But we’re happy to say that’s where our predictive powers ran dry. And boy are these new faces exciting! For one, Jerry was pushed by Sean Mahon of Long Island’s Bellmore Striders, who won the prime and ran in front until the Queensboro’s final tower. #Badass. Syracuse track and x-c alum Zach Rivers followed in third, followed by Lost Boys teammate and TTB veteran Tim Rossi. And Jordan Rose came up big for Dashing Whippets in his own TTB debut. A strong hill runner, Jordan hung hot on Tim's heels to cross in fifth.

STRAVA SERIES PRIZES UPDATE

Barring an upset, BNTC is a favorite to keep their edge for the Strava Series team prize - that’s $250 bones, to be awarded after Take The Bridge Brooklyn in October. But the Dashing Whippets are gathering steam, as they are rumored to have some speedy teammates join Elizabeth at Brooklyn, which could make it interesting at the very least. Lost Boys also boosted its lead over November Project, scoring a ton of points thanks to Jerry, Zach and Tim.

The Strava series individual prize ($150) is very tight for both individual races. We love that. TTB legends Tim Rossi and Daniel Marin are neck--in-neck for men, while Leigh Anne Sharek holds a four-point lead on a trio of runners tied for second place. But there you have it. There are a half dozen runners within striking distance. Sean, Zach, Jeremy Mulvey of Lost Boys, Elizabeth, Carly Gill of BNTC, Jessica Snider-Rodriguez of November Project...Man oh man, TTB Brooklyn will be exciting.

Photo by Christophe Tedjasukmana (@menblowsmoke)

THE AFTER PARTY

[TTB is] like a huge family getting competitive and wanting nothing more than beating each other for 15 minutes before being friends again. Phillip Heer, LSTC

TTB races are all about mixing competition and camaraderie. Remember high school or college track, when you actually knew the people you raced against? You’d be beasts on the track, and friends off it? We value that vibe. And this time, Rockaway Brewing, a mile from race start/finish in Long Island City, was a great backdrop for the whole TTB community -- runners, race crew, fans, photogs -- to talk shop over beers. Sweet race, followed by party in a brewery (as in they made the beer you’re drinking 50 feet away), all in a great part of town? We love it too, and we don’t know how we’ll top this one!! But we are already hard at work planning TTB Brooklyn, with co-hosts Girls Run NYC and Resident Runners. See you there!

2.3 QUEENSBORO: men to watch

Take The Bridge September 9, 2016

We'll just say it. Again. TTB Queensboro has our deepest, strongest field yet, for men and women. Our male returnees from TTB Manhattan include a two-time TTB winner (Daniel Marin) and three others from top five (Tim Rossi, Jeremy Mulvey, Myles Fennon). You know we're watching these guys, and you'd be wise to watch them too. But you think it's easy to stay on top? Let's get to know who's dropping in to challenge for the glory (and the prizes):

JERRY FAULKNER

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Need we say it? Jerry is one of the fastest guys in NYC. He recently took first place in OSR's Men's 10K. That aside, Queensboro is his local bridge and he's running to win.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Jerry straddles the divide between sanctioned and unsanctioned running better than maybe anybody else in the city. He has won three of his 23 marathons, with a PR of 2:21:53 at Hartford Marathon last year. He also ran 67 at the Brooklyn Half in 2013. Jerry co-founded Lost Boys with Tim Rossi. He's proud of their little club tripling to nine members. Hint, if you want your running club to triple, start with three people.

TTB EXPERIENCE: Making a debut!

CREW/CLUB: Lost Boys. Okay he also runs for somebody called NYAC. Never heard of'em.

MILE PR: 4:20

5K PR: 14:30 (on the track. you know, cause you could do that too without all that pesky asphalt).

JORDAN ROSE

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Steller PRs on a stellar team with awesome coaching. You know he's training well! Handles hills pretty darn well from his marathon PR. And what are bridges really, but hills covered in graffiti and bike messengers?

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Picked up running after college to help a friend train for a marathon. No hating on Boston (go Sox), but Jordan says moving to New York has been a boon for his running. Jordan calls the NYC running community "second to none". With all the people to run with, he's "training better and racing way more". Jordan is most proud of his marathon PR (2:53) from last year in Morgantown, West Virginia. The course was pretty hilly (+1,400 ft. of elevation gain), so the race gave him confidence he could improve on more favorable terrain.

TTB EXPERIENCE: Making a debut! Jordan says it's cool to put a race together around bridges, "one of the few unique running challenges in NYC." We could not agree more!

CREW/CLUB: Dashing Whippets

MILE PR: 4:49 (5th Ave Mile 2015)

5K PR: 17:09

ZACH RIVERS

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Zach is a former D1 runner testing his current fitness. As they say on LetsRun.com, talent never goes away.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Ran high school XC and track, and then ran for Syracuse (yeah that 'Cuse, NCAA XC fans). Holds the course record at the Princeton Half-Marathon (1:12, in 2015)

TTB EXPERIENCE: Making a debut!

CREW/CLUB: Lost Boys

MILE PR: 4:27

5k PR: 15:11

2.3 QUEENSBORO: women to watch

Take The Bridge September 9, 2016

We'll just say it. TTB Queensboro has our strongest field yet, for men and women. Our returnees from TTB Manhattan include a two-time TTB winner (Leigh Anne Sharek) and three others who placed in top five (Carly Gill, Jessica Snider-Rodriguez, Erin Higgins). We DEFINITELY have our eyes on these athletes - they are truly women to watch. But let's get to know a few others who will challenge for TTB prizes:

LENA PLACZEK

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Track chops, mile speed, urban running cred. Just ripped a 5:07 at 5th Avenue Mile.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Lena started running at age 14 in Poland. In HS she ran on the Polish Junior National Team (800 & 1500m) and went to the World Championships in XC her junior year. She moved to the U.S to run for the University of Iowa (track and cross country), and just recently got back into running and rediscovered her love for the sport!

TTB EXPERIENCE: Took fourth at TTB 2.1 (Williamsburg 2016). We think Lena has a ton of potential to improve!

CREW/CLUB: Brooklyn Navy Track Crew

MILE PR: 5:04

5K PR: 18:32

ELIZABETH LASETER

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Elizabeth comes highly touted by Jennie Cohen, two-time defending TTB champ. She also has participated in the World Champs for the Beer Mile. Enough said.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Elizabeth ran cross country and track for Johns Hopkins University, and has continued to train competitively since graduating. The mile and steeplechase were her races in college, but since then has transitioned to the 5K, 10K, and just to keep things interesting, the beer mile!

TTB EXPERIENCE: Making a debut!

CREW/CLUB: Dashing Whippets

MILE PR: 5:11

5K PR: 17:52

WHITNEY MCFADDEN

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Killer track speed (hello kick) and that magic mojo that comes from running on November Project.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: Lifelong soccer player (running FTW). County champ at 800m, 500m in high school at Walt Whitman in Bethesda MD (word to wise -- stay away from Whitney down the stretch). Running with NP since 2014, a path that has led, in Whitney's words, to "some of my fastest times and... the most amazing people!". No slouch at longer distances -- 3.17 marathon PR, and a 5:33 half Ironman!

TTB EXPERIENCE: Took 7th at TTB 2.1 (Williamsburg 2016)

CREW/CLUB: November Project

MILE PR: 5:23

5K PR: 19:36

QUEENSBORO BRIDGE HOST: MTAR CREW

Take The Bridge September 7, 2016

Meet George! He is typically behind the camera at our races, but this Friday his newest creation, MTAR Crew will be co-hosting our race. We sat down with him, to find out just what his crew is all about!

TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR MTAR AND WHAT MOTIVATED YOU IN FORMING THE GROUP. HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE VIBE OF YOUR GROUP DIFFERS FROM SOME OF THE OTHER GROUPS/CREWS IN NYC AND HOW ARE THEY THE SAME?

I came up with MTAR CREW WHICH STANDS FOR “MORE THAN A RUN CREW” BECAUSE running means way more then how it’s spelled. Meaning whether you’re training for a race, or trying to lose weight, or running to benefit a personal cause. At the same time supporting your fellow runners during there training seasons, or supporting there personal life projects or careers this is what MTAR CREW was built from.

The difference between us is that ego's are not the main machine of our group, because throughout the years I've been with every group/crews out here and you can do a history check on that, and that's a huge reason that I've never attached myself to no group for that reason. At the same time, I can't be what I've never been, I can only be true to everything and everybody that comes threw my path. One thing that I've learned is, leaders can only be how it's spelled, so the question is "what I mean by this" is how can you lead people? When you don't even know where your at or where your going? I know East Harlem is where I'm located and all over the globe is where I'm going.

YOU HAVE RECENTLY BEEN PARTNERING WITH MARNEY FROM URBAN ART RUNNING TOURS. TELL US MORE!
Yes. It was a awesome run. Marnie from @runstreet reached out to me, telling me that she saw that our crew routes always involved art, and that's why she ask me if I wanted to collaborate on an art run that was based throughout Harlem, that would benefit a great cause for the (not a crime Champaign) @notacrimechampaign which has had artist from all over the world create full scale murals all over Harlem throughout the summer to bring awareness to the world about children in Iran that are not able to have an education because of their religious beliefs. So to make along story short, how could I say no?

GEORGE, YOU HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED FOR MANY OF THE OSR RACES, AND MOST OF OUR TTB RACES. TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THESE RACES, AND HOW YOUR VIEW MAY DIFFER THEN THE TYPICAL PERSON CHEERING?
I support our urban running Circuit period, because it's more than just one huge organization that normally has running events that don't have the same passion. More or less, I say it like this because these smaller events that people like you and Joe feel more personal. As per conversations that we've had, these events bring many local runners, but I want New York to know that these events are happening, and at the same time they should come out an experience this even if their not running it. As far as what i see different then others are epic moments. I see what the runners don't see, I see what spectators don't see, meaning the deep down grime, passion, and drive that us as runners put into the sport of running an freeze that moment into history. I'm not here to discredit any other artist, but I still haven't seen nothing that even remotely near what I've produced throughout the years.

EAST HARLEM IS YOUR CREWS PLAYGROUND. TELL US WHERE YOU NORMALLY MEET FOR RUNS DO YOU HAVE WEEKLY PLANNED MEET UPS?
Now we have a weekly meet, on Thursdays 6:30pm meet, 7:10pm Run out of Dear Mama Coffee at 308 E 109th street, New York, N.Y. 10029

FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTES? East Harlem 100 percent, it's less congestion, and always something fresh and amazing going on day and night. Sorry to all other boroughs.

FAVORITE WORKOUT?
That's a problem, because I only run, and cycle, and do yoga

FAVORITE POST WORKOUT DRINK?
Powerade, cold brew, whey protein. Not mixed together, one at a time.

FAVORITE POST WORKOUT HANGOUT?
Home... I do a lot of moving around throughout all the boroughs, but always feel better at home.

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QUEENSBORO BRIDGE HOST: LOST BOYS

Take The Bridge August 26, 2016

Earlier this month we sat down with Queensboro co-hosts Lost Boys. Founders, Tim Rossi & Jeremy Mulvey, are both young, fast, and not afraid to "grab the bull by it's horns". The boys opened up about exactly what the meaning of their crew is, how it speaks to their racing and running styles, and their small intimate races that are brining new life into rouge urban racing.

LOST BOYS? OR LOST BOYS TRACK CLUB?

JM: We started the Lost Boys Track Club back in 2014, then eventually dropped the TC and made it just LostBoys to not do what everyone else is doing, as a fun idea.

TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR LOST BOYS AND WHAT MOTIVATED YOU IN FORMING THE GROUP. HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE VIBE OF YOUR GROUP DIFFERS FROM SOME OF THE OTHER GROUPS/CREWS IN NYC AND HOW ARE THEY THE SAME?

JM: We were in the car, coming back from running the Shelter Island 10K. We were just listing off names that we thought would sound good and distinctive. I rambled “what about the LostBoys?” It worked too cause every race that we ran so far, we had either gotten lost going there, or coming back.

TR: We were not thinking about Peter Pan at all when we came up with the name. It was just super catchy. However, the Peter Pan reference and the whole, “never growing up,” thing fits nicely. I see it as when you are a child you have these huge goals and dreams that don’t seem all that scary and trying to hold onto that is a great thing.

JM: I think we differ as a crew because we’re very small, like, VERY small. We’re not in it for trophies or anything, we just want to run fast, run hard, drink beer occasionally, and have a good time. We talk with our legs rather than our mouths or hashtags.

TR: We really just try and be known for running fast and chasing our goals. There is no fluff or like flash to us, we just go out, have fun, and try and get faster. It’s fairly simple.

YOU HAVE RECENTLY BEEN THROWING ROUGE STREET RACES THAT YOU USE YOUR INSTAGRAM AS THE WAY OF ANNOUNCING DETAILS. TELL US MORE!

JM: Back in September or October we held our first race, it was the Inaugural LostBoys Beer Mile, at an undisclosed locationWe had a good crowd of people do it, winning time was 7:06. So definitely look for that again. Luke McCambley has been integral part of giving the squad a little bit more revitalization with helping lead the charge in these Urban Assault races. We don't charge money for entry frees, we plan a route, some odd distance, and you time yourself. It’s more of a “hey, I can run faster then you from point A to point B.” So PRs for distances don't really matter. John Benitez, @yungfueg on the gram, has definitely helped us our social media presence grow. The dude is amazing with the lens. We wanted to get as many people to run this things for the fun of doing and the camaraderie. We also want to get more spectators on board to bring up the excitement and good times. Our next event will bring that to life!

TR: This is something we have been doing to drive competition. We pick weird distances (like 1.1 miles or something) to make it less about time and more about who wins. We buy a 6 pack before and give 3 beers to the winner, 2 to second, and 1 to 3rd. It’s just a fun way to explore the city while also elevating the competitive aspect of running.

TIM, YOU HAVE RUN 3 OF OUR RACES AND SOME OSR RACES, WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THESE URBAN RACES, AND WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCES BEEN OF OUR TTB RACES IN THE PAST?

TR: I would be lying if I didn’t say I like TTB because it plays to my strengths (I am solid at running uphill). But it is really more then that. First, a ton of my friends have been running these races from the start. I would never have made it out to OSR if I hadn’t known people that were going. So its fun to go out and run fast with your friends. And then TTB and OSR take advantage of New York City and make unique events around that which is also awesome to be part of. It’s just a very different feel from a traditional road race (which I also enjoy, but for different reasons)

JEREMY, THIS PAST MONTH’S RACE WAS YOUR FIRST TTB. YOU KEPT UP WITH THE PRIME WINNER, JASON, FOR MOST OF THE FIRST BRIDGE LENGTH . . . TELL US YOUR STRATEGY THERE. YOU SAID YOU DIDN’T REALIZE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE THAT HE WAS ONLY GOING FOR THE PRIME? HOW DID THAT AFFECT YOUR OVERALL RACE?

JM: The race was awesome! Loved the atmosphere. It was first time being on the Manhattan Bridge ever, so I didn’t know what I was getting into. I have an issue sometimes with just going out and not giving a shit, which makes it an uphill battle. Part of me knew he was going for the prime, but I also thought that in case he was going for the win too, I didn't was to lose contact with the leader. So I stuck with him, coming down the down hill I realized, “holy shit, this is going to be hell coming back,” so I backed off a little and let him go. But the fast first half already took its toll. Coming back I didn’t have a lot in the legs to respond. I’ve learned for the next time though! (hopefully)

MANHATTAN IS YOUR CREWS PLAYGROUND. TELL US WHERE YOU NORMALLY MEET FOR RUNSDO YOU HAVE WEEKLY PLANNED MEET UPS?

TR: Our runs vary pretty dramatically. There are never any real team runs or anything regularly scheduled (aside from our races). But Luke, Jeremy, and myself like running out of the flatiron store. I have also done some awesome runs with Luke along the bridal path as well. But all of these generally start with a group text maybe an hour before running. Like, “Hey, I’m doing 10 easy or an easy hour today. You wanna join?” It makes it fun when running on your own starts to suck.

FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTES?

TR: The lower loop of manhattan starting from Nike Flatiron

FAVORITE WORKOUT?

TR: Tempo run

FAVORITE POST WORKOUT DRINK?

TR: All day IPA and/or Ben & Jerrys (not a drink but if it melts it kinda is).

2.2 MANHATTAN: race recap

Take The Bridge August 12, 2016

Take The Bridge kicked off its three-part summer / fall 2016 series Friday night, August 5, over a 2.5 mile out and back course on the Manhattan Bridge. 40 runners bested a race that TTB veteran Vinnie Milliano calls "always a hell of an experience and always surprisingly difficult."

There are no big clocks or mile markers on a TTB course. We like to think that runners run by gut. Veterans Jennie Cohen and Daniel Marin each hung back on the early uphill, before moving mid race to repeat their victories from this March's TakeTheBridge Williamsburg. The wins not only earned them $100 cash and prizes from Brooklyn Running Co, but also put them in the lead of a new series prize sponsored by Strava.

Two first time TTB racers took the men's race out aggressively. As November Project's Jason Kulig pulled away from Jeremy Mulvey of Lost Boys to claim the prime - $50 - at the Manhattan side turnaround, he did something unexpected - he stopped. We we didn't say he had to finish! joked race directors Adam and Darcy, as their race crew radioed to report the news on prime. They've since updated the website - you do have to finish!

Jason did take eighth, explaining he was gunning for the prime and simply didn't want to obstruct runners going for an individual place. Jeremy took third behind Lost Boys teammate Tim Rossi, stamping the club as an early favorite in another new Strava prize - the team series. But November Project sits just three points behind, with two races left to determine which club pockets $250.

Leighanne Sharek nailed the women's prime and took second overall, while leading Brooklyn Navy Track Crew teammates Carly Gill and Erin Higgins into the top five. BNTC now leads November Project by seven points in the team standings, which score the top eight runners from each race with a team affiliation. No, you can't change teams - check out full rules on our website.

Oh, and what would a TTB event be without a sweet afterparty? About 80 people - runners, staff, photographers, #cheersquad - drank post-race beers at the Lighthouse, under the Manhattan Bridge archway. We quote the most quotable Vinnie again, who points out that Take The Bridge draws not only some of the best runners in the city, but some of the best people. Where else does an awards ceremony end with a whole crowd singing happy birthday to the race co-director (Darcy says the race WAS her party).

Registration for TTB Queensboro opens August 26th at noon. Stay tuned @ site / Instagram / fb

- Adam Barcan (Co-Director)

2016 STRAVA SERIES POINTS FOR MANHATTAN

see race rules & prize information

men:

daniel medina (lstc): 8pts

tim rossi (lost boys): 7pts

jeremy mulvey (lost boys): 6pts

myles fennon (np): 5pts

john honerkamp (np): 4pts

ryan starbuck (cptc): 3pts

steven waldon (front runners): 2pts

jason kulig (np): 1pt

men's teams:

lost boys: 13pts

november project: 10pts

lstc: 8pts**

central park track club: 3pts

front runners: 2pts

women:

jennie cohen (dashing whippets): 8pts

leighanne sharek (bntc): 7pts

carly gill (bntc): 6pts

jessica snider-rodriguez (np): 5pts

erin higgins (bntc): 4pts

macon lowmen (np): 3pts

emma raviv (np): 2pts

kat o'brien (iron runners): 1pt

women's teams:

brooklyn navy track crew: 17pts

november project: 10pts

dashing whippets: 8pts**

iron runners: 1pt

**team has not yet met the qualifying standards specified in rules

2.2 MANHATTAN: men to watch

Take The Bridge August 4, 2016

This years race over the Manhattan Bridge brings some new athletes, as well as some TTB veterans. Below are the athletes that we have our eyes on:

DANIEL MEDINA

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Daniel is a beast and a has a HUGE NIKE NRC following of supporters on FB! He took 4th place in his debut TTB over the Manhattan last year, and won 1st last March over the Williamsburg. He says that Manhattan is his least favorite bridge in the city so his tactic is simple - "crush it".

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I started running in the 7th grade after I moved to Illinois. High school cross country was my most competitive in the sport where I led my team to back-to-back conference/regional champs and two years with perfect seasons."

CREW/TEAM: RASA and LSTC.

MILE PR: 4:31

5K PR: 15:27

TIM ROSSI

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Another strong runner stemming from NIKE NRC, Tim took 3rd place at TTB Manhattan last year, and 2nd at Williamsburg in March. He is just coming back from injury, but that didn't stop him in Williamsburg. We like his motto: "never run a race as if I’m not in PR shape.” (Nolan Hayes)

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I started running recreationally my freshman year of college, but it was not until I graduated that I started taking it more seriously. I signed up for my first NYC marathon which kick-started my training, and since then I have been much more focused on running. Currently I am coming off of my second successive foot fracture (one on each foot yay!) but am working my way back to health."

CREW/CLUB: Lost Boys Track Club

Mile PR: 4:46 (2015)

5k PR: 16:57 (2014)

JEREMY MULVEY

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: This is Jeremy's first time racing Take the Bridge, but with his fast mile and 5K times, we are sure we will see him in the top 3. He recently set his 5K PR indoors, with a last lap time of 71 seconds!

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "So, I started running for Port Richmond High school 9 years ago, and then ran DIII Cross Country for SUNY New Paltz. I continue to train in post college grad dystopia trying to make a name for myself in the world of running."

CREW/CLUB: Lost Boys Track Club

Mile PR: 4:26

5k PR: 16:15

MYLES FENNON

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: Myles raced his first TTB over Williamsburg last March, and brought with him several of his NP female runners! He held his own, coming in 3rd place. He recently also took 3rd place at TNFECS at Blue Mountain, and in April joined Knox Robinson in a challenge to race the Bear Mountain 50K and the Red Hook Crit 5K in one day. Two weeks prior, he raced the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:49.37.! You're killing us Myles!

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I like to think of myself as a rusted beat up swiss army knife of a runner. Will run anything from a stair run to a 100 miler, and everything in between. "

CREW/CLUB: November Project

MILE PR: 4:51

5K PR: 16:56

RYAN STARBUCK

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HIM: New to racing and Take the Bridge, we think Ryan is a big contender! He has a stellar STRAVA page, and a fast 5K. This past April he finished the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:51.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I started running/racing in 2011 and have since completed 9 marathons as well as a ton of other races. I've been running for CPTC since Fall 2014. My favorite distance is the marathon but I do everything from 5K to ultras."

CREW/CLUB: Central Park Track Club

MILE PR: 5:07 -Sept '14

5K PR: 17:32

2.2 MANHATTAN: women to watch

Take The Bridge August 4, 2016

This years race over the Manhattan Bridge brings some new athletes, as well as some TTB veterans. Below are the athletes that we have our eyes on:

LEIGHANNE SHAREK

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Leighanne is a veteran to urban racing. She has run 3 of our past 4 races, placing 1st at Williamsburg and Manhattan last year, and 2nd at Williamsburg this past March. Just recently she took 2nd at OSR’s Women’s 10K with a time of 38:51.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I have been running since middle school- where I ran the mile. I ran XC is high school, but took a break from running the first two years of college. I wasn't competitive until recently, probably 2.5 years ago. Since then I've competed in everything from the mile to the marathon."

CREW/CLUB: Brooklyn Navy Track Crew

MILE PR: 5:17

5K PR: 18:34

JENNIE COHEN

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Jennie comes from a traditional NYRR club, and just recently made her way in the urban racing scene. She took 2nd place at the Manhattan Bridge last year, and won 1st at the Williamsburg Bridge. She is a smart racer, letting others take the lead, but watch out for her kick! At the Red Hook Crit, in April, she went from 5th in the 1st lap, to 2nd overall, breaking 18 minutes for the 5K.

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I started running when I was 12 because I went to an Orthodox Jewish middle school that didn't have organized sports, and my parents weren't going to drive me anywhere for practice."

CREW/CLUB: The Dashing Whippets

MILE PR: 5:22

5K PR: 17:59

CARLY GILL

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: A newby to the urban running scene, this will be Carly's first time racing Take The Bridge. Recently she placed 2nd at OSR's Midnight Half (1:25.12) and 4th at OSR's Women's 10K (38:59).

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "And even though I've been running for over 20 years, it wasn't until recently that something clicked. Last year, I trained for and ran my first marathon and fell in love with the process and the distance. After that, my PR's in almost every distance have gotten faster. I still have a lot to learn and work on, but I am loving every minute of it. And--surrounding myself with badass and inspirational runners/mentors/friends has definitely helped."

CREW/CLUB: Brooklyn Navy Track Crew

MILE PR: N/A

5K PR: 19:16

JESSICA SNIDER-RODRIGUEZ

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Jessica took 5th place in her first TTB over the Williamsburg Bridge last March. She has a fast mile time, and was top November Project female for last week's NYRR Team Champs. I hear the NP now does weekly hill repeats over the city bridges, which means she knows her bridges!

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I was never a runner or athletic in any way until my adult life. Once I qualified for Boston, I realized that I was a decent runner and have been on an ongoing quest to find my breaking point, in speed and endurance, ever since."

CREW/CLUB: November Project

MILE PR: 5:39

5K PR: 20:00

MACON LOWMAN

WHY WE ARE WATCHING HER: Macon has an impressive STRAVA page, and a fast mile PR. This will be her first race with Take The Bridge, and we have high hopes for her!

RUNNING BACKGROUND: "I ran my first race at 6 years old while rocking jorts and keds, all because my older brother dared me to. It's been love ever since - I competed on my high school XC state champs winning team and for a small division I school in college. I took a hiatus from running for awhile and got back into racing recently."

CREW/CLUB: November Project

MILE PR: 5:18

5K PR: 18:57

MANHATTAN BRIDGE HOST: BROOKLYN NAVY TRACK CREW

Take The Bridge July 24, 2016

This year, we are partnering with crews around the city, to give a true look into the neighborhood of each our bridges we are running. In doing so, we will connect with the local runners in our community and get an insider's look into the areas they run in. For our first bridge of the series, Manhattan, we have Brooklyn Navy Track Crew as our hosts. The group was formed in the past year, by Leighanne Sharek, Agustin Lastra, and Steven Finley. Taking top places in OSR's Midnight Half and Women's 10K, and previous TTB races, they are quickly making a mark on local urban races and becoming known for their speed. We sat down with the leaders, to learn a little more about their "tribe" and the neighborhood they run in:

Tell us about the inspiration for BNTC and what motivated you in forming this crew. How would you say the vibe of your group differs from some of the other crews in NYC and how are they the same?

AL: BNTC was born out of day drinking. Truth be told, what's better after an early run on a hot morning than a well earned beer or perhaps many, science does support this. Anyhow, Steve, Leighanne and myself found each-other in this state after a hot morning run. We all agreed, we liked running with each-other and felt left out by what was being offered in the running community. The running community in NYC is mostly composed of primitive organizations, we wanted our own tribe in the community and hence started to think carefully about who and what we wanted to do. We remain to be a very loose structured crew, and attempt to stay small, fast and chill as factors that characterize our crew.

Smaller running crews have been steadily growing in the NYC running community and in many major cities world wide. How do you compare "crews" to the more traditional "club"? How do you see these crews informing how people view the sport of running?

AL: Crews are like Tribes, like minded people associate as they seem fit. Most crews are loosely structured yet strive from the internal energy and connection among their members. Clubs have rules and guidelines, are associated to official running organization that impose rules on them and their member's behaviors. Clubs are legacy structures of the running community, they orbit around the NYRR and the NYC Marathon. In a crew, each member has their goals, their own races and schedule. We attempt to come together when possible to train, help and inspire each other. Clubs attempt to grow and become large, they become political and fragmented. Crews are small tight knit groups. I think Crews are growing today as people are eager to join groups where they have deeper connection and more in common in smaller groups of people. Yet, a network of crews can suddenly become a powerful movement.

Leighanne, you have run our race in the past, taking 1st place at Williamsburg and Manhattan last year, and 2nd place at Williamsburg this year. Do you plan on running Manhattan this year? What draws you to these urban races, and what has your experience been of our TTB races in the past?

LS: I plan on running all of the TTB races! They are so much fun - super low key yet competitive. I think what draws me to the urban races is the feeling of being included in these 'unsanctioned elite' events. It sounds cliche, but just like an exclusive night club or the Soho House, you almost need to know someone to get in. For the typical NYC runner, by the time you hear about an unsanctioned race, it's probably too late to sign up. That's changing, but the small exclusive feel is still there. They are all street races; we don't shut any roads down or clear the pathways on the bridges- you just go with it. It's exciting. The TTB races, as well as the other urban races I've done, have a small start list. So each competitor is known, each one a very important part of the race. Also, the community of runners who plug into these types of races is still on the small side. You get to know people, runners and supporters- it's awesome. That's been my experience at the TTB races: it's a very intimate group of runners and supporters that create this special, comfortable environment that is truly one of the most enjoyable and satisfying events I've been to

Tell us more about the area in Brooklyn you run in (Dumbo/navy yard):

SF: the Brooklyn naval yard is a 200 acre facility located on the east river that opened in 1806. Adjacent to the naval yard are the neighborhoods of dumbo and vinegar hill. dumbo is an old warehouse district where ships used to come in and drop cargo off. Vinegar hill is the neighborhood where the civilians who worked in the naval yard lived. There is so much history there- which makes for a really quiet, interesting place to live and run in. The cobblestone streets and old town feel are so unique to that part of Brooklyn, there really is nothing like it. The whole area was basically abandoned after the naval yard closed in 1966 and has just recently been restored. Part of the revitalization includes Brooklyn bridge park, which has a great path accessible to bikes and runners and goes all the way to red hook. The BNTC runners utilize this often on our runs, as well as flushing ave and prospect park, which is a short run away.

Favorite running routes in your hood:

01 Running from Dumbo to Greenpoint around the Yard and down Kent street bordering the Williamsburg waterfront.
02 Running thru the crowded Dumbo Waterfront thru the industrial waterfront to IKEA, thru it's gardens and finally arriving to the under-utilized Red Hook Track which is awesome.
03 Runner up is running to Prospect Park, but running on Flaaaaatbuusshhhh (French Accent, don't ask), can be tedious though running around Prospect Park is amazing and much less crowded than Central Park unless it's Sunday and Carribean Night is on then it's a party.

Favorite workout:

AL: Any workout in which you encounter race pace, whether it be a track workout of many repeats or a long workout with tempo pace towards the end