By Sophia Buchanan Okeke
 

So a few months ago, I was asked to join the Newro runners board, and I was gobsmacked that my passion for running and our local club had been noticed even though I am often at the back of the pack asking Bob for directions.
 

I joined NewRo Runners seven years ago when my husband and twin girls moved to New Rochelle from the Bronx. I was training for the NYC Marathon at the time, and I didn’t fancy commuting to the city to attend my regular weekend class with Jack Rabbit. So I googled and found a press release about a local club in New Rochelle with a number for a guy called David Brot.

I called the number, and David Brot picked up and explained that NewRo was a chilled-out club.

“You can run at your own pace, and there will always be someone to run with.” He said.

“I’m not speedy Gonzalez” I explained.

“Don’t worry; it’s not about speed; you will be in the pack; that’s all that matters!”

“How much is the club?” I asked. (I was expecting to pay the same as my Jack Rabbit membership)

 “Dues are $30.” He said

“A month?” I asked

“No, a year.” Cor blimey! I thought that’s cheap!

“You don’t have to pay your dues immediately; come and run with us and see if you like it.”

UNBELIEVABLE, I thought!

Brot took my email address, and I showed up the following Saturday.

The group was a friendly bunch, and everything Brot said was true. There was always someone to run with, and pretty soon, those “someones” became running buddies and my BIGGEST running supporters.

We chatted about everything….. careers, kids, partners, friends, races, personal bests, injuries, chafing, clif gels, headphones, peloton apps, and zwift routes, our strava achievements, the list goes on.

Running Routes

Saturday, April 22nd, 7:50 am
Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle (Sussex Road)

Two stages: 3 and 5 miles

Stage 1: 

• Turn left out of the lot onto Sussex to Albert Leonard Drive

• Right on Albert Leonard to Pinebrook

• Left on Pinebrook to the end (the firehouse at Stratton)

• Turn around and run to Sara Lane

• Right on Sara to Sussex

• Left on Sussex back to the parking lot

Stage 2:

• Instead of turning around on Pinebrook, turn left on Stratton

• Follow Stratton all the way to Wilmot

• Left on Wilmot to Hanson

• Left on Hanson to Victory 

• Right on Victory to Van Etten 

• Left on Van Etten to Pinebrook

• Right on Pinebrook to Sara

• Right on Sara to Sussex

• Left on Sussex back to the parking lot
   

Sunday, April 23rd, 7:50 am
Hommocks Middle School Parking Lot in Larchmont

Three stages: 3, 6 and 10 miles

The shorter distances here are flat and a great opportunity for beginners.

Stage 1:

• Exit the parking at the rear and run down Eagle Knolls Road, behind the Hampshire clubhouse to Cove Road

• Left on Cove through the old club parking lot to Cove Road East

• Left on Cove Road East to Orienta

• Left on Orienta and bear left at the large fork in the road to Old Post Road

• Left on Old Post Road and onto Route 1 back to the parking lot.

Stage 2:

• At the fork, bear RIGHT and follow to Route 1

• Right on Route 1 past the town to The Parkway

• Right on The Parkway to Shore Acres Drive

• Right on Shore Acres to South Barry Avenue

• Left on South Barry to Route 1

• Left on Route 1 and follow back to the parking lot (about 1½ miles down Route 1)

Stage 3:

• Instead of turning left on Route 1, continue on South Barry (which becomes North Barry) to Halstead

• Left on Halstead past the train station and bear left onto Mt. Pleasant Avenue (at the intersection of Mamaroneck Avenue) to Palmer

• Right on Palmer to Larchmont Avenue

• Left on Larchmont Avenue into the Manor section of Larchmont to the water and Park Avenue

• Right on Park Avenue and follow to Beach Avenue

• Right on Beach Avenue to Route 1

• Right on Route 1 and follow back to the parking lot

Local Races:

Tuesday Night Speed Work

Trail Junkies