NYC Bridge Runners: The Original Crew That Runs on Juice, Not Metrics
The NYC Bridge Runners actually started with biking. Before they became a running crew, a group called The Bridge Rollers would meet on the Lower East Side, grab frozen margaritas, and bike to a Mexican record shop in Williamsburg for tacos. This habit of exploring the city through movement—finding new places to eat, see art, and learn about the city—became the reason the Bridge Runners run. They look for what’s hidden and interesting, choosing routes that show them something new.
Mike Saes started the NYC Bridge Runners with a clear idea: the crew should reflect the city’s energy and mix of people. Some members are the core, others bring color, but everyone adds something. They don’t follow the usual rules of running clubs. Instead of tracking every stat, they care about the feeling of running through different neighborhoods and the stories that come from those miles.
The Bridge Runners helped start the modern run crew movement, and their influence has spread worldwide. They set the tone for a more open, street-level approach to running. The crew is made up of serious runners from all backgrounds, always looking for the next challenge. They treat the city as their training ground, using its streets and bridges as part of their runs.
Bridge Runners value both toughness and excitement. Their runs are about exploring, not just repeating the same route. They always have a goal, but the journey matters just as much. Running together through the city, especially at night, brings the group closer. The crew values being real, sticking with it, and enjoying the run together.
The NYC Bridge Runners keep things real and a bit edgy. They’re not a casual club; they’re a group of committed runners. If you’re in New York and want to join their way of exploring the city, the best way to connect is to follow them on social media and see what they’re up to.
The Bridge Runners are the forefathers of a New York City running scene that is now arguably the most diverse in the world. They lit a spark that has led to a proliferation of crews in every borough. This incredible ecosystem includes the community-focused Harlem Run and Boogie Down Bronx Runners, the exclusive, high-performance Black Roses NYC, and the transformative women's collective Girls Run NYC. These crews, and many others, have created a vibrant network that offers a running experience for every type of athlete.
The NYC Bridge Runners got their name by running the city’s bridges, especially the Williamsburg Bridge. They often run at night and cover all parts of the city. They like to take routes that show them something new, exploring neighborhoods from the Lower East Side to the Bronx and looking for stories along the way.
New York City hosts some of the most famous running events on the planet, organized primarily by the New York Road Runners (NYRR). The undisputed pinnacle is the TCS New York City Marathon in November, a race that takes over 50,000 runners on an unforgettable journey through all five boroughs. Another massive and iconic event is the RBC Brooklyn Half in the spring, which is the largest half marathon in the United States and takes runners from the heart of Brooklyn to the famous Coney Island boardwalk.
