Bronxville Sporting Goods Store Hosts Free Running Program

If you're looking for a running group, or even just a way to stay in shape while meeting your neighbors, sporting goods store Bronxville Running Company recently started organizing free running groups on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

Participants join the store's staff for a brisk run along the Bronxville parkway trails for anywhere from two to six miles.

Wednesday evening group runs were initiated back in April and are reserved for slightly more adept runners who have adhered to a personal running regimen for a number of years, while Monday evening runs, which were launched just two weeks ago, are targeted towards beginners.

"[The Bronxville Running Company staff] decided it would be great to put together an event that not only unites the running community but the Bronxville area as a whole," says sales associate and former Edgemont high school runner Daniel Tahara. "For example, our first beginner run saw one person show up, while [this past Monday] we had a handful. They had never met before so it was great to see them enjoying each other's company. They're actually going to run together during the week when we're not having a group run."

Tahara often joins fellow sales associates Mike Wolf and Bobby Asher (who placed in the top 150 at the ING New York City Marathon last November) and Store Manager Stephen Boda on the beginner and regular group runs. The team hopes that showing the Monday night runners they are in better shape than they believe they are will ease their transition to the Wednesday night group.

"It's a kind of mental release," said Tahara. "Of course, running is a physical sport but letting your mind wander and not having to worry about anything else leads to a total body catharsis. That's what we're trying to promote at all of our [sixteen] stores."

Staff members guide both novice and skilled runners through various stretching exercises and relay the effectiveness of using heart rate monitors properly. And store patrons who make an appearance at the group runs also receive discounts on shoes and apparel.

Staff members like Tahara hope these incentives will attract some of the area's more bashful joggers.

"Bronxville is one of the most runner friendly communities I've seen," says Tahara, who plans to carry his passion for running to Yale University this fall.

"However, there are still people who will say 'I'm going to start running after I lose weight or after eating better' but these things come naturally after you start. You make healthier choices and are losing weight because you're exercising everyday," he explained.

The free events attract runners of all ages. Tahara has seen wide range of people— from fellow high school cross-country runners to some of the community's senior citizens. Tahara posits that the simplicity of the sport naturally attracts a diverse audience.

"Running is one of the most basic sports out there. You throw on a pair of shoes, running shorts and you're off and running," said Tahara. "We want to show people it can be part of their everyday lives."

In addition to the group runs, the Bronxville Running Company hopes to educate fellow runners and store customers about the benefits of habitual exercise for maintaining a healthier lifestyle. This Wednesday, the store will host a Sports Wellness Presentation by Dr. Robert Inesta in place of its regularly scheduled group run. Staff members hope the presentation will inspire additional clientele to regularly attend the Monday and Wednesday evening outings.

Beginner groups meet on Monday evenings at 7pm in front of The Bronxville Running Company, while the more advanced group runs meet at the store on Wednesdays at 7pm.