On his 41st birthday, Brooklynite Michael Gonzalez conquered his concerns about motion sickness by taking the ferry to run the 10K. (Photo: Nicholas Gordon)
BY NICHOLAS GORDON | news@queensledger.com
RED HOOK — Nearly 800 athletes journeyed across the waters to Governors Island in early September for the “Squirrel Stampede 10K” hosted by the Brooklyn-based running organization NYCRUNS.
The race was the third leg of NYCRUNS’ “10K Challenge” featuring three 10Ks on the island, including the “Ice Cream Social 10K” and the “Endless Summer 10K,” which took place in August. Of the 2,713 total finishers across all three races, 60 runners completed the 10K challenge, collecting a commemorative pin for the achievement.
Steve Lastoe, founding CEO of NYCRUNS, said the idea for the challenge was born out of a scheduling quirk.
“We happened to have three 10Ks in close concentration, which we don’t usually do,” Lastoe said. “So we started looking at it and saying what’s a fun thing we can do with this and give a little more to these guys.”
Founded in 2009, NYCRUNS has forged a kind of race-day sanctuary for runners on Governors Island. Far from the maddening crowds and the snarls of screeching traffic, the races on the island offer a tranquil setting with spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, lower Manhattan, and New York Harbor. Aside from a few clusters of tourists strolling the sidewalks and paths, the island course is largely a community of runners, sign-holding supporters, and race staff during the early morning weekend races.
The “Festival Area” where runners collect their bibs and shirts is a large central lawn ringed with soaring oak and plane trees. Sunlight dapples through the lush canopy. A nearby kiosk sells beverages and snacks.
Before the race, runners in the Festival Area were connecting with friends, stretching out, relaxing in the sun, and snapping photos in their new “raspberry sorbet-colored” Squirrel Stampede T-shirts, as the lively race MC described them.
Local runner Ariana (who opted to go by her first name only) and her friend were wearing the vibrant race T-shirt. Ariana was getting ready for her third race on the island as part of her training for a half marathon.
“I enjoy the races here because of the view,” Ariana said, adding that she started running about a year ago as an activity to share with friends and family members.
At the Squirrel Stampede finish line, Brooklyn native Michael Gonzalez was basking in the sun after finishing the race and overcoming his “fear of the ferry.” Prone to motion sickness, Gonzalez had been hesitant about the ferry ride to the island, but in the end, it was smooth sailing, he said.
“The ferry ride was nice and short and the race was great,” Gonzalez said. “And today’s my birthday so this is a nice way to celebrate.”
Gonzalez, newly 41 years old, said that after conquering his first Governors Island race—and the ferry ride—he’s looking forward to the next one, as he prepares for the ultimate running test.
“I’m trying to accomplish a full marathon someday to show my kids that if you work hard and put your mind to it you can do anything,” Gonzalez said.
