This article was published in the NEW YORK RUNNER, a quarterly publication of New York Road Runners in Fall 2010 edition.
Though their name refers to the hilly outer loop of Rockland Lake State Park. the Outer Loop Group {OLG)’s reach has extended far beyond that grassy perimeter. The group was born in February 2008 out of a need for an internet-based communication center for runners in Rockland, Westchester, Bergen, and other nearby counties. The goal was to provide a network for runners to post news of gatherings for group runs and speed sessions.
This network was to be unaffiliated with any specific organized running club. At the time, few official running groups provided such a service without a high membership fee. Those with lower fees didn’t maintain sites at a level that worked for the members. The OLG’s organizers sought to create a place where running information could be shared freely, and to provide a message board where people seeking running partners and groups could find one another.
“We often carpool on race day, compete against each other, share war stories, and then go out the next day and train together.” – ERNEST JOSEPH
Good ideas grow quickly on the internet and in tight-knit running communities. Since their original grassroots outreach, the OLG’s online community has grown to 146 members. They’re free to run for any outside team they like without any obligation to the OLG. The group includes members of other running clubs from New York City, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange County. Though the majority live in Rockland County, some are as far away as Rochester, NY, and West Chester, PA. “Rockland Lake State Park provides us a unique training ground that’s easily accessible, says member Ernest Joseph. ‘ Regardless of our team affiliation, we often carpool on race day, compete against each other, share war stories on the way back home, and then go out the next day and train together.”
The group has no designated president and no captain or leader of its runs and events. This encourages members to lead their own runs and post their own events, letting runners accommodate their schedules by choosing from more options.
To sustain themselves as a team without fees, they tap into free online resources. Yahoo! Groups provides an infrastructure; with a secure site that requires a user ID and a password, group members feel comfortable posting their daily run plans, training schedules, and photos. This collaboration creates a 24-hour hub of running information.
If the OLG had a motto, it would be •All ages, genders, abilities, socio-economic status, and dub affiliations always welcome.’ Group runs vary in size from six runners in a morning workout to about 30 during buildups to marathons.
Membership has grown over time via word of mouth as well as via dick of mouse. Prospective members must request access to the club at sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/ outer loop. The only prerequisite for joining is an interest in running. Once a member is accepted, he or she is welcomed to meet the group at a weekend run to get to know the regulars. “There are no expectations, obligations, or commitments,• says Joseph. “Come and discover the power of group running.”
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