This Month, We Run for Thanks
Who and what are you thankful for this year? It’s been another year of challenges to individuals and communities around the globe. And yet, we have much to be thankful for, especially at this time of year.
The Virtual NYRR Run for Thanks 5K is an opportunity for runners across the globe to come together, show gratitude, and feel a connection even if we cannot be physically together. Sign up to run this race anywhere, anytime between November 20 and 28 and connect with the global running community as we all come together to express the gratitude we feel at this time of year. As you run, and all month long, draw on gratitude to connect, learn, and grow together.
We encourage you to dedicate your 5K to whoever or whatever you’re thankful for this year. At New York Road Runners, we are thankful to you, our runners, for running with us—virtually and in person—in our races, training offerings, and programs.
We feel gratitude for our diverse runners, staff, volunteers, and partners. This month we are especially grateful to the thousands of runners around the world who finished the 50th running of the TCS New York City Marathon on November 7 and the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon, and we’re grateful we can continue to offer you opportunities to run with us wherever you are with NYRR Volvo Cars Virtual Racing.
Below, we share thoughts from some of our staff, volunteers, and runners about their #ReasonToRun and what makes them thankful.
"So grateful for how running and volunteering with NYRR has shaped my life for the past 40 years... I discovered so much about myself through running and racing back in the 80s and early 90s. Somehow the girl who struggled in gym class in my early years was inspired to run and race and even do the marathon a couple times! I've found so many great friendships through volunteering that have enriched my life, true relationships that have endured over so many years. I can't imagine my life without this!" —Barbara Alpert, NYRR volunteer
"I am grateful for all the healthy beautiful miles ran throughout amazing places this year. For new and old running friends around the world and the NYRR community. For all the special races that I complete alongside my daughter. Together we are showing the world what running like a girl is all about. For the love and support of my husband. For crushing the TCS New York City Marathon in the name of my 11-year-old self who was told she was “not good for running…” Finally, I am thankful for running and how alive it makes me feel! —Karina Jaramillo-Saa, Volvo Cars USA
"This year, the thing that keeps coming up for me is my greater appreciation for time. Time is truly the most valuable gift and one that is so easy to take for granted. How do invest our time? Who do we spend it with? And what are we accomplishing in that time to make the world a better place? When I take the time to lace up my sneakers and begin to run, I am grateful for opportunity because it is a reminder that the small things we consistently do over time can create a big impact. —Denyce Mylson, NYRR staff