Spotlight on NYCHA’s Runners Club

For more than three decades, NYCHA’s Runners Club has been a place of shared activity and health improvement for many employees who run in marathons and various corporate challenges. It is currently one of NYCHA’s most active employee associations, with social interactions taking place on running tracks as well as city parks.

NYCHA Runners Club Co-Chairs E. Rico Velez (from the Department of Real Estate Services) and Ramon Lugo (from the IT Department) credit club founder Bob Norman for his continuous enthusiasm and advocacy of running and healthy lifestyles.

“He is a legendary runner who still runs today,” said Mr. Velez. “He ran 21 NYC Marathons and 111 marathons in total. All that guidance that he gave us all these years kept us afloat.”

Some club members who show up for races or marathons prefer to walk. “We embrace walking because we know it’s the beginning of running,” explained Mr. Velez. “When you walk five miles or run two miles, it’s an event in your life towards better health. You’re looking into improving your life. We honor that.”

The club has over 100 active members who register for various running events across the city. Recently, several club members represented NYCHA in the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, an annual 3.5-mile road race that takes place in 15 locations across the world. On average, NYCHA’s runners participate in three races per year.

“We embrace everyone who wants to get on the road and improve themselves; it’s about building a culture,” said Mr. Velez.

A long-time runner himself, Mr. Velez encourages everyone at NYCHA to start running or walking whenever they have a moment: “Health is important. Sitting is the new smoking. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t feel healthier after a good run or a walk. We want to improve the health of NYCHA employees. If you have a healthy employee, you get better work results. If you improve your health, you improve NYCHA. That’s the nexus.”

NYCHA employees interested in running, walking, or joining the Runners Club should email Ramon.Lugo@nycha.nyc.gov or Rico.Velez@nycha.nyc.gov.