Runners Embrace "Great Energy" at New Balance Bronx 10 Mile
The New Balance Bronx 10 Mile, the fourth race in the NYRR Five-Borough Series, brings thousands of runners every year to NYC's northernmost borough for some ups and downs over the Grand Concourse and Mosholu Parkway, with a spectacular downhill finish near Yankee Stadium. Passing landmarks including the Paradise Theater and the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, and with a turnaround just outside of the New York Botanical Garden, the route is an invigorating change from the familiar confines of Central Park.
Hundreds of youngsters took part in the free Rising New York Road Runners at the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile, which included field activities and dashes at Macombs Dam Park across from Yankee Stadium. The event is part of NYRR's Rising New York Road Runners platform, which is designed to develop movement skills in kids of all ages and abilities through a mix of running and fitness activities and instill confidence, motivation, and a desire to stay active for life.
The New Balance Bronx 10 Mile finishers praised the race's spirit and Bronx location. "This race has such great energy," said Ashley Garman, a member of the Hoboken Harriers. "I usually race in Central Park and this just feels different, with the buildings and the streets blocked off and of course the great downhill finish."
"I'm back running this year because the race is so interesting," said Jessie Oh, who runs for the Social Running Crew. "I actually really like the ups and downs and I love the long vistas down the Grand Concourse, especially as you're heading back toward the finish. It's beautiful."
The winners today were Harbert Okuti of Westchester Track Club for the men, who ran 49:00 to defend his 2018 title, and Belaynesh Fikadu of West Side Runners for the women, who broke the tape in 55:32, moving up one spot from her runner-up finish last year. Perhaps they (and many others!) were inspired by news of the near-world-record run today at the Berlin Marathon, where Kenenisa Bekele ran 2:01:41 to finish just two seconds short of Eliud Kipchoge's world mark.
In the Bronx, for many runners the race was a tune-up for the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, set for Sunday, November 3, just 35 days away. "I'm excited to be tuning up for my 10th New York City Marathon," said Gaurav Hariani of November Project, who ran his third New Balance Bronx 10 Mile today. "I loved the music on the course, I loved seeing my friends and teammates coming and going at the turnarounds, and I loved that it really feels like marathon season."
New Balance Bronx 10 Mile finishers can get free medal engraving Sunday from until 4:00 p.m. and Monday from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub.
Check our calendar for more races are on the horizon for the remainder of 2019, and learn about a variety of training opportunities.