A local running group is making huge strides to finish preparations for its biggest event of the year.
The New Hyde Park Mineola Runners Club — established in 1976 — is one of the oldest clubs on Long Island with over 100 members. For the past 46 years, the club has hosted a yearly 8k race to honor those who defend the country — both home and abroad — and since 2001 that honor has extended to the first responders of the 9/11 attacks. This year’s 8k will take place on Sept. 8 at 8 a.m. at Clinton G. Martin Park and all the proceeds from the race will go toward local non-profit organizations.
“Between volunteering, getting sponsorships, the club membership is absolutely amazing in the work they put in,” Gary Woods, president of the runners club, said. “What they have done this year alone to help get this race going has been crazy.”
The planning behind this event included paying for permits, official timing by EliteFeats, food and refreshments. Woods also said that getting roads closed and working with the local police have been vital in making this event happen. He emphasized the importance of the more thab 70 businesses — businesses that will be sponsoring this race, which he said “might be every single business in the New Hyde Park and Mineola area.”
“The importance of this event is that it brings awareness to this club,” Woods said. “And to see somebody who hasn’t run before and they’ve signed up for this 8k, to be any part of that is a good feeling to have.”
There are two sides of this race, which are the competitive side and the family-fun side. Woods said that runners from all across Long Island come to participate in this “prestigious” event. He also said that last year there were so many fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, encouraging each other at the event.
At the end of the 8k, there will be cash prizes for the top three men and women winners, trophies for age groups from 15 to 85, a School Spirit Award — a contribution to the PTA of the school with the most participants, and a School Division Trophy for the best combined score of the top three finishers in the district’s teams.
Woods said that the longevity of this event could not have been made possible without the core group of board members who manage the club. He said although people don’t stay in the club forever, there is a core group who have been involved with the club since nearly the start.
The last president, for example, was in charge of the group for 20 years. Woods said he was able to “change with the times” and make the club grow even more. Woods said he did this by utilizing social media and putting out a weekly newsletter, which has been effective in garnering more club members.
“You have to be open to change and try targeting the youth,” Woods said. “Getting kids to run a fun run, getting kids to turn up to races, getting kids to turn up to the track on a Tuesday helps increase membership.”
Woods said that the club currently has 40 to 50 active members that participate in the weekly runs. Membership for the club is $20 a year for an individual member and $25 a year for a family.
Every Tuesday at 5 a.m. at Herricks High School, there’s a track session and then there is another session later that day at 7 p.m. At 5 a.m. every Thursday morning, the club meets again for another session at the school.
“Thursdays, we do hill work,” Woods said. “The better you get at going up a hill, the better a runner you will be.”
Every Saturday morning there is a session for everyone who couldn’t make it to the previous practices. On Sunday mornings, the club has “destination runs,” where members choose a new location and neighborhood to run in.
“So the organization gives all runners at least four organized events for the week on top of social events, a summer barbecue, and a holiday party,” Woods said.
With all of the events that this club offers, Woods said that the club is “more than just a running club.” This is the message he said he wants to convey to all of the new members.
“You could be a walker, a runner, maybe even a triathlete,” Woods said. “We’re not exclusively a running club.”
The club’s philosophy, as stated on NewHydeParkRunners.com, is to welcome any member, no matter their pace or preferred distance.
“We have members working toward completing their first 5K, to those who have completed marathons, ultramarathons and Ironmans nationally & internationally,” stated on NewHydeParkRunners.com.
To apply to be a member of the club, visit NewHydeParkRunners.com/membership. To register for the upcoming 8k, visit Events.EliteFeats.com/24nhp.