The New Balance Bronx 10 Mile is a part of the New York Road Runners’ 5 Borough Series and the fifth race, out of six, in the series. Held in southern Bronx near Yankee Stadium this was a race that was truly a lot of fun to participate in. The race start is easily accessible by the subway, there are plenty of bathrooms to use, and the NYRR have a well organized bag check for all runners to store their belongings before the race. There was great music playing before the race as well as a few NYRR coaches talking about the race and getting runners pumped to run 10 miles. After the race the festivities really got underway. The NYRR provided plenty of music, an interactive photo area, the 9+1 NYC Marathon bell for runners to ring, and plenty of food trucks to indulge in. The New Balance Bronx 10 Mile had 12, 421 runners cross the finish line (6,364 men and 6,057 women) and registrants received a great long sleeve tech shirt with the race logo on front and sponsors on the back, a post race recovery bag with various drinks and food, free race photos provided by Game Face Media, and a beautiful medal that NYRR members could get engraved with their name and race time.

The New Balance Bronx 10 Mile is essentially a large out and back that starts on the Grand Concourse at 165th Street and finishes on East 161st Street near Macombs Dam Park and Yankee Stadium. Runners will start by heading north on the Grand Concourse for a straight run for Miles 1-4. Just before mile 4, you will turn left onto Mosholu Parkway. At about 4.25 miles, near Goulden Avenue, you will make a U-turn on Mosholu Parkway and head east toward the New York Botanical Garden. After reaching Marion Avenue you make another U-turn to head back west on Mosholu Parkway back toward the Grand Concourse. Continue west on Mosholu Parkway, then turn left onto the Grand Concourse. As you get back onto the Grand Concourse and pass Mile 6 you’ll be heading south back towards the starting line. At Mile 9.5 you’ll pass the starting line and and Joyce Kilmer Park. At East 161st Street runners will turn right and continue to the finish line.

I absolutely loved running this race. The Bronx community came out in full force and delivered high energy to pump up all of the runners with cheers, signs, music, and more. I love when the community gets involved with the races and creates a fun environment for the race. It really does add so much to the race and helps push me along. My pace runners were amazing and highly encouraging to those runners who were sticking by them calling out words of encouragement and times. There aren’t many iconic NYC sights on this course. You’ll be passing homes and storefronts. For the most part the course is pretty flat with a few rolling hills so the elevation will not be difficult for runners. One aspect I really enjoyed was that since this is an out and back style race, I got to see the elite running by racing for that win. It was a really cool sight to see. I highly recommend that everyone should look into running it.