Long Island running clubs prioritize camaraderie over competition

When some people think of running, thoughts of winning races and stretching to be first at the finish line come to mind, but for many Long Islanders, running is more about camaraderie than victory.

Northport Running Club president John DeSpagna, says his club — founded in 1977 and now with more than 540 members — is where forming relationships matter as much as running.

"We’re for runners of all levels and ages, and we welcome everyone. We’re very social," DeSpagna says. "We have monthly meetings with 50-75 members regularly attending with free food and beverages."

Alan Baisch, a 63-year-old Deer Park resident and president of the more-than 1,000-member Greater Long Island Running Club, which was founded in 1978, says camaraderie has caught up to competition.

"Years ago everything was more competitive. Recently, it has been more of a social thing that’s less competitive," Baisch says. "People look to get together and run as a group, with friends. They run for the health aspect and camaraderie."

Social and supportive sport

Many runners find social fulfillment as well as exercise and enjoyment in the sport, such as Marianne Zacharia, 70, a retired public health educator from East Northport who started running regularly at 42.

Zacharia belongs to the Northport Running Club, Greater Long Island Running Club, New York Road Runners and the United States Track and Field — Long Island Division, all part of the culture of running on Long Island.

"I train with several friends," Zacharia says of running buddies. "I run with them three to four times each week. We usually take it slow and talk to each other the entire time. I think of it as not only a physical workout but as mental health therapy."

A boom in running clubs in Bellmore, Massapequa, Northport and elsewhere led to social scenes.

“There are more local running clubs with local clubs in your area,” Baisch says. “It’s easier to run locally than to travel 20 miles.”

Jenn DeSpagna, in her 60s, the spouse of the Northport Running Club’s president, John DeSpagna, enjoys the "camaraderie, the friendships, the support" of running with the club.

She says members range from walkers to "newbies" just "starting out on their running journey" ranging from "the not so fast to the very fast."

"No matter what category you fall into, club members will support and cheer for you every step of the way," says Jenn DeSpagna, who works in the summer camp industry.

Kieran Hooks, 63, a management consultant who lives in Cold Spring Harbor and runs 20 to 25 miles per week, says runners support each other "whether you’re a speedster, an ultra-runner, a casual runner, or a walker."

Runners socialize before and after Northport Running Club’s weekly runs such as Tuesday Night Track Workouts, Thursday Night Runs in Huntington and Sunday Morning Runs in Northport.

"There is a social component built into these scheduled runs," Jenn DeSpagna says. "People hang out afterward. It is a nice way to meet people in the club and develop friendships."

Hooks, who runs at least four days a week, often socializes afterward “for a breakfast bite to eat or a post-run beer.” Hooks says it’s about family as well as friends.

"My wife, my three kids and I are all part of the running club," Hooks says of the Northport club. "We developed several close relationships with some of the members and meet up for various events outside of running, whether to go to dinner, see a concert or other fun things to do."

Forming friendships and getting motivated

Michael Rodrigues, 29, an information security professional who lives in Huntington, belongs to the Northport Running Club, Long Island Trail Runners, Team Runner's Edge and Sand City South Run Club.

"They all share a common thread: runners support each other," Rodrigues says. "Running is a unique sport because at the end of the day, you are really racing yourself."

Rodrigues’ wife, Kathleen, discovered a shoe store, Runner’s Edge in Huntington, hosted coffee runs on Saturday mornings.

Running also can lead to more widespread lifestyle changes. "You run to get healthy. You start to eat healthy," Baisch says. "People become more concerned about what they’re eating. It has a positive impact."

Other people get accountability and motivation from groups.

“I like the scheduled weekly runs,” says Jenn DeSpagna, who typically runs 3 to 5 miles. “It gets me out the door when I know I have to meet people at a specific time and I’m always happy I showed up.”

Friendships transcend age, as runners find a common bond. "Age doesn’t matter in the club," Jenn DeSpagna says. "I run with folks several decades younger than me and a decade or so older than me and they are my friends."

And runners sometimes form couples not only to run, but also to live. "People meet and get married. One friend proposed at a race event," Baisch says.

The Northport Running Club also hosts special events, such as the Summer Holiday Breakfast Runs (Memorial Day and Labor Day) and Fourth of July BBQ run.

Women in the Northport club typically travel in January for a “runcation” at warmer destinations offering races with multiple distances, with Jekyll Island in Georgia scheduled next year.

"I've made countless friends and accumulated a wealth of cherished memories," Rodrigues says. "It's unique to be a part of something that brings so many types of people from different backgrounds together.