Preparing for the 26th Annual Bedford-Stuyvesant 10K Run and Fun Walk

October 7, 2007
8:00 amto5:00 pm

runner-clipart-picture8.gifOn October 7, 2007 Bed-Stuy will hold its annual 10K race. The 26th Annual Bedford-Stuyvesant 10K will include hundreds of runners and walkers and 1000 spectators cheering them on.

A nice thing about this event is that the cost is so reasonable. Registration is $15 before 9/15 and $20 after, and runners under the age of 17 only pay a $10 entry fee. After the run, there is a free event, the 2nd Annual Bed-Stuy Gateway Family Fun Fest, sponsored by the Fulton Street BID.

Chief Surgeon Robert E. Thomas, M.D. (1933 – 2003) of the medical division of the NYPD was the founder of this event. This was posted on the NYC website:

Robert E. Thomas was born in the Bronx in 1933 to Robert Walker Thomas and Mae Brown Thomas. From a young age, he was fascinated with science, athletics and altruism. Defying conventions of the time, he studied in bed at night by flashlight, inspired by the fervent wish to become a doctor. Blessed with a powerful intellect and an assiduous nature, he pursued a medical career by enlisting in the United States Army in 1955 and serving in the 8th Army Medical Corps. He later entered Brooklyn College and earned a Bachelors Degree in Biology in 1960. While at Brooklyn College he developed a life long love of competitive athletics and blossomed into a world class sprinter. He was subsequently inducted into the Brooklyn College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979. Dr. Thomas graduated from the University of Brussels in 1969 and became a physician, realizing a dream to serve people as a healer. Seeking to aid the poor in his native New York City, he became medical director of the South Brooklyn Health Center and later became medical director of the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Family Health Center. During his tenure at the Health Center, he established the Bedford Stuyvesant 10K Run.

You can read more about Dr. Robert E. Thomas here.

If you start today, you have 7 weeks to train, and I heard that it was a nice FLAT running course. How many of you have run this race before? How many of you are planning on running this year?

26th Annual Bedford-Stuyvesant 10K
Location: Bedford-Stuyveant Restoration Plaza, 1358 Fulton Street
Registration: 8:00 a.m.
Run Begins: 10 a.m. (SHARP!)
For more information on this race call event coordinator Deborah Jones at 718.636.6972.

About The Changeling

I'm living and blogging in North Stuy.
This entry was posted in Bed-Stuy, Community Events, Health, Sports and Fitness. Bookmark the permalink.

31 Responses to Preparing for the 26th Annual Bedford-Stuyvesant 10K Run and Fun Walk

  1. windowbox says:

    Yay! Thank you for posting this. We should ask Ms. Jones to post something about the race up at the Y. In terms of training, if you can run 5 miles, you can run 6.2 miles (10 kilometers). The excitement of the race atmosphere helps to keep you going. It’s what happens in marathons, I’m told. In any case, there will be walkers, I’m sure.

  2. Leo says:

    Yep, I ran this race in the late 80′s when I could do

  3. The Changeling says:

    Good idea about posting this in the Y. It would be a great boost/reminder to those who are thinking about participating.

    I think I’m gonna try it, although I can probably only handle a 5K now. But I have 7 weeks, right?

    Leo, if you ran it before,you’re probably only a few good training weeks away from being back in tip-top shape.

  4. Leo says:

    Tip top shape would be a

  5. Jeff says:

    I ran the race last year. Not too many people participate – but it’s still fun. They give out a lot of trophies for the various agre groups. It would be good to get the word out there. As was written above, almost half of the race is run in Crown Heights.

  6. Carin says:

    I’m a Restoration employee that’s planning on running this year. Looking for someone else to swap training tips, progress, etc. I run 4-6 miles a couple of times a week, looking to crank it up.

  7. The Changeling says:

    Carin, my training regimen this week has involved avoiding the gym and eating sweets and I’ve been able to be pretty consistent with this regimen, I must say. The fact that you’ve been running 4-6 miles several times a week tells me that I’d better get serious. Thanks for the eye-opener!

  8. windowbox says:

    ha ha! sounds like my training regimen. Still, I’d like to see how far I can get. i’ll be at the Y all next month.

  9. Leo says:

    Try to run between 45 minutes to an hour at least three times a week. I go to Prospect Park 2-4 times per week and do 2 laps and sometimes 3. Include weight training for your lower back, legs and shoulders. The old fashioned StairMaster with the revolving steps is the best indoor machine for cardio, but nothing beats the track and the park or jumping rope. Have fun with it and try to smile while you work out so you don’t tire as quickly. The finish line at these races is a beautiful sight and you will remember moments in the race for decades to come.

  10. Leo says:

    P.S. I’ve also been indulging in a nightly piece of vegan carrot cake or red velvet from an area restaurant, and Soy Delicious Turtle Tracks; do an extra set or a few extra minutes for that.

  11. alkamal says:

    the last time i ran this race was in 1997. i ran it in 46min. had a blast. 10 yrs later, i will try to beat my old time. will enlist a few friends to join me in the challenge, too. the training for it has been fun, so i can’t wait.

  12. Leo says:

    Alkamal, look forward to seeing you, hope we have a good showing of runners and supporters.

  13. Ricardo says:

    I didn’t know this race existed. I have got to run this one. I am from Bed-Stuy and now live in Washington D.C. My Uncle Larry Morgan graduated from Brooklyn College where Dr Thomas went, so I will run in memory of him. This is EXCELLENT!!!

  14. The Changeling says:

    Your enthusiasm is contagious! I’m really hitting the gym this week.

  15. alkamal says:

    Hey Leo, thanx.
    i will keep an eye out for you on the 8th. once i figure what my colors will be, i’ll let you know so we can give each other the high five before and after the run…and yes, i already got two people to agree makin’ the run w/me. btw, thanx for the runnin’ and trainin’ tips. i will certainly be following your lead over the next coupla wks…

  16. Ricardo says:

    How do you register for the race?

  17. Deborah says:

    You can contact Deborah to register for the run; applications are now available. After September 1st you will be able to download the application from Restoration’s website.

  18. Ricardo says:

    Thanks Deborah

  19. Shaun says:

    Deborah, can you provide the link to the application download? Thanks.

  20. Leo says:

    I delivered applications to AfroArt, Bassam, Breadstuy, Brooks Valley, Brownstone Books, bushbaby, Calabash, Common Grounds, Debonaire, de Leon Real Estate, Everything Scratch, Exotic homes, Folukie, Hibiscus/Organic Mart, Ibo Landing, Le Toukouleur, Shakoor’s Sweet 2th, Solomon’s Porch, Tiny Cup, Tres Chic and the YMCA! You can also download your application, please spread the word; and if you can’t run please come out and scream like hell and join in the festivities/food at the finish line!

  21. Shaun says:

    Thanks Changeling!

    Leo, good job. You might want to drop some off at Tillies and also at Connecticut Muffin.

  22. Leo says:

    Where is Tillies?

  23. The Changeling says:

    Tillie’s is on Dekalb at Vanderbilt

  24. Carin says:

    FYI, there is a 5k in prospect park this Sunday that’s a benefit for Liz Padilla memorial, a probono lawyer that was killed on her bicycle 2 years ago. Good cause, good building block for training

  25. Leo says:

    What time, where does it start, and where can one register? I will be in the park anyway so I might as well get the work in.

  26. Shaun says:

    I’ve found a different date for the Liz Padilla 5k. http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1345398
    It says that its on Oct 1st. I think I’ll run it too.

  27. Shaun says:

    Oops. Looks like that link was for last years race. Sorry.

  28. Shaun says:

    Here’s this years link. Online registration closes tomorrow! http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1464073

  29. alkamal says:

    sunday’s weather looks great for a run. good luck to all the runners. let’s make this fun!

  30. The Changeling says:

    I’ll be there with my camera! In the spirit of the name, I’m going to run 5K and then “fun walk” the other 5K. :)