Aja Marsh

Going the Distance with North Brooklyn Runners

All Aja Marsh wanted was someone to run with. Little did she expect that before long hundreds of runners would be exercising along with her.

In 2009, Marsh started North Brooklyn Runners (NBR), an organization centering on runners in Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Bushwick who participate in the sport for exercise or to gear up for marathons. It has blossomed into an enthusiastic group that holds 14 runs, six days a week, going places as far as Roosevelt Island, the Queensborough Bridge, or Prospect Park. They also participate in local races, from the New York City Marathon to Greenpoint’s Annual 5k Race for St. Stan’s.

Anna McCusker, who leads some of the weekly runs, said NBR is different from other groups because its main focus is running itself as opposed to competition. “Sure we have very competitive runners, but we also have a lot of people who just like to run, or want to stay in shape. No matter if you’re the fastest runner or the slowest runner, if you were one of the first people to join NBR or the most recent, if you come out to one of our Happy Hours, everyone will love you and you’ll be welcomed in just the same.”

On Saturdays, NBR offers a Bridge Run and Coffee. Following a run across the Williamsburg Bridge into Manhattan and back, they socialize and grab coffee together. “Anyone who’s interested in learning more about the club or meeting runners in the neighborhood should come out,” said Sherry Rosenkrantz, who leads the run.

NBR doesn’t charge membership dues, and all donations go towards the making of team tee shirts to be worn during races, marathons, and runs. McCusker said she finds running with the pack helpful, since it’s more encouraging than exercising alone. “I love running in the summer, so the thought of leaving my house to do five miles in 20 degree temperatures makes me want to give up running all together, but knowing that there will be 25 other crazies out there waiting by the track on a Wednesday night gives me the motivation to do it. Training with the team also makes running seem easier. Sometimes we’ll be running along making jokes or having these in-depth conversations and I won’t even realize that we’ve run several miles already.”

Aside from running, the group holds social events and volunteers in the community. In early October, they organized Field Day at Cooper Park, which included an egg toss, hula hooping, and a three legged race. On November 6th, 60 of the team’s runners will take part in the New York City marathon. Volunteers will hand out water and Gatorade to runners on Bedford Avenue. The organization receives points from the New York Road Runners, for volunteering at races.

Helen Rojowsky, a Williamsburg native and runner with NBR, said she has forged friendships with people from the group throughout her time there. “I’ve been inspired by those around me to challenge myself in ways I never thought possible—like running a marathon! I’ve received support and encouragement when struggling to get back in shape after an injury, and because ‘what goes around, comes around,’ I’ve been able to support other people in the club when they’ve needed it. And as you may imagine, I’ve made many lasting friendships in the process. All in all, my experience has been very rewarding on numerous levels.”

For Marsh, who simply wanted a few running buddies, NBR has been more successful than she ever could have imagined. “I thought there would be 20 people interested in this group and now it’s just ballooned into such an amazing group of people. It’s really done so much of what I’ve been hoping for on such a big scale. I wanted to have a community within this area. I felt there was something missing. I think there needed to be more of an opportunity for people to come together. It’s been really great to see friendships form and people doing things they never thought they’d be able to do.”

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