37th ANNUAL KENNETH DOLAN 5K RUN

In 2011, Ismael and Sean started running obstacle races together, fueled by the need to test themselves against something bigger. What began as personal training spiraled into a movement. They wanted Brooklyn to feel that same pull toward challenge, that belief that obstacles aren't roadblocks but invitations. Spartan Sundays Run Club emerged from that conviction. Every Sunday, roughly 40 to 50 runners gather at Barclays Center or JAG Physical Therapy, ranging from age 4 to 73. Budding athletes train alongside elite competitors. Injury comebacks show up next to peak performers. The crew's philosophy is simple: above it, around it, through it. Two-hour sessions blend conditioning, strength work, and mental toughness. This is training for life's races, not just the ones with medals.

Girls Run NYC began in January 2014 when Jessie Zapo gathered nearly twenty women for the first session at a cycling shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side. What started as a cold winter run has grown into a community of hundreds. The crew operates on a simple philosophy: running is a great equalizer, and doing it together builds accountability, real motivation, and lasting friendships. Many of the earliest members have become leaders, carrying the community forward. Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., Girls Run NYC meets at McCarren Park track in Brooklyn for structured workouts that welcome all paces and abilities.

Black Roses NYC emerged from downtown Manhattan in 2012, born from founders Knox and Jessie's vision of a running crew that matched the intensity of the city itself. What started as a shared hunger for serious racing and street culture has grown into 35 members strong, each one invited rather than recruited. The collective brings together nurses, DJs, bartenders, and near-pro athletes, bound by a philosophy of pushing beyond current limits into uncharted territory. Twice-weekly track sessions form the crew's backbone, structured around goal races with sessions like five 1Ks, descending ladders, and 300-meter repeats. At Black Roses NYC, earning the black bib means understanding that you don't just show up, you prove yourself.

Lostboys Track Club started in June 2014 when Jeremy and Tim gathered friends who wanted more from their running. Inspired by the spirit of Peter Pan's lost boys, what began as a small group chasing races evolved into a thriving community of around thirty runners across New York City. The club believes ambitious goals and genuine joy belong together, with a philosophy rooted in dedication to craft, commitment to the grind, and shared belief in what each member is capable of. Bound by real friendship and an eclectic mix of backgrounds and abilities, Lostboys Track Club runs track sessions, city routes, and annual retreats outside the city. The races are the goal. The people are the reason.