Open Run Spotlight: How Olga and Rolando Baez Stay Connected to the Running Community

During 2019, we’re highlighting NYRR Open Run participants, volunteers, and groups whose stories and accomplishments have had an impact on their neighborhoods and communities.

Olga and Rolando Baez at Open Run in St. Mary’s Park in April 2019 

If you’ve had the chance to visit more than one of the 17 Open Run sites currently in New York City and New Jersey, you’ve probably noticed each park’s unique energy. Driven by the different languages, cultures, and traditions of each park’s local community, there is a tone specific to each location that is often set by that park’s Run Directors.

At Open Run in St. Mary’s Park, the vibe is set by the Run Director/husband and wife team of Olga and Roland Baez. A duo that consistently emanates positivity, they have a philosophy for getting and staying active that has a distinctly Bronx flavor. “I have friends who say they can’t run,” says Rolando, “I tell them–you can walk, you can run, you can skip. You can do the worm around the park, you can breakdance, salsa. Do anything!”

Olga and Rolando first joined Open Run in 2015 to keep running after completing their first marathon. They realized that while Open Run was in fact an excellent place to log their weekly miles, it was also a great place to connect with their community and meet new friends. “Everyone here is like family. We like coming here,” says Olga. “The people are great. We knew no one before and have met so many people.”

Olga, far left, and Rolando, orange shirt, welcome participants and puppies before Open Run

Like some dedicated runners, Olga and Rolando eventually experienced injuries that prevented them from being able to run weekly. But through Open Run, they realized they could still be a part of the community by volunteering as Run Directors. In this role, the couple learned they could focus on the experience of the other runners and give back to the people they had become so close to.

Now, the couple spends most of their Saturdays as Run Directors, creating an inclusive atmosphere by welcoming participants, setting up the course, checking in runners, timing, and making sure bags are safe while runners and walkers enjoy the course. They even provide bananas and bottled water for finishers, to make sure everyone is nourished after exercising.

Rolando passes out timing tags to runners and walkers.

“If I’m not running, I can always be a Run Director, I can always volunteer,” Olga says happily as she writes down names and times of finishers trickling in. “I don’t see me not being here.”

Olga and Rolando’s experience show there is no expiration to membership in the running community—you may just be called to fill some different shoes.