SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Many runners agree that there’s a certain magic about the running culture in Syracuse.
“It’s therapeutic. It’s a great way to get away from work or stress,” Anthony Cawley said. “Syracuse, even though there’s a lot of people, it’s a small community. Whenever you go to a running event you’ll see new people and you’ll see familiar faces too. There’s just so many people to connect with and places to see.”
Cawley ran cross-country and track and field at Jamesville-DeWitt High School before taking his talents to SUNY Cortland. After college he realized he wanted to come back to Syracuse to give back. He works with Fleet Feet’s youth program and helps coach modified track at North Syracuse Junior High School.
“I always wanted to use what I’ve learned to see other people succeed,” Cawley said. “Just seeing them PR. Seeing them get better or have more fun doing it. Seeing improvement is the best thing.”
For Cawley, it starts with creating fun, inclusive spaces – the same spaces that existed for him as a young runner in Syracuse, and exist for people of all ages today.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse celebrates Global Running Day through community and inclusivity
Matt Sheremeta: Today is Global Running Day. A day that encourages people around the world to get out and run no matter the age, pace, or distance. Syracuse is celebrating today with that same inclusivity. I spoke with members of the running community about how they’re encouraging people to get out and log some miles.
(Hand Clapping, Cheering)
Sheremeta: No matter how far you run, the city will keep you coming back. At least that’s been the case for Anthony Cawley.
Anthony Cawley: Syracuse, even though there’s a lot of people, it’s a small community and whenever you go to a running event, you’ll see new people and you’ll see familiar faces too.
Sheremeta: Cawley ran cross country at Jamesville-DeWitt and didn’t go far to compete in college. Just a stone’s throw away to SUNY Cortland. A sense of belonging brought him right back to Syracuse. That magical pull felt by so many, even from outside the city, because runners here want to see the community grow.
Josh Nogaret: Having a lot of people come down from Syracuse area or surrounding area to Ithaca, you know, a 70 minute drive from Syracuse to shop with us, too.
And I think that was a, you know, a good positive reinforcement, a little bit
Sheremeta: More spaces for runners, all runners,have been created over the years, with run clubs and community events bringing people together with one purpose. inclusivity.
Ed Griffin: It’s okay to not have to be the fastest person on the block, and it’s okay to do the best you can and be surrounded by people who are likeminded.
Sheremeta: The baton is being passed now to the next wave of runners. When college is not hobby jogging, he’s coaching modified cross country, creating the same inclusive spaces for his young athletes.
Cawley: I always wanted to use everything I learned to see other people succeed. just seeing them PR, seeing them get a little bit better or have more fun doing it. Seeing improvement is the best thing.
Sheremeta: Giving back to the community. Step by step, and stride by stride.
The community is coming together again tonight. Cawley tells me over 250 people are registered for Fleet Feet’s “The Big Run” at Onondaga Lake Park. I’ll also be logging my miles today. I’ll be throwing on the singlet, the half tights, and I’m, going out there for, I don’t even know how long. I might run a marathon today.
“The whole thing starts with being inclusive,” local race coordinator Ed Griffin said. “Syracuse has always been a running town. What we did is kind of brought more people to the party where it’s okay to not be the fastest person on the block. It’s okay to do the best you can and be surrounded by people who are like-minded.”
Running specialty store Fleet Feet hosted “The Big Run” at Onondaga Lake Park to celebrate Global Running Day on June 3. The store partnered with Brooks Running, Syracuse Run Club, and Finger Lakes Running Company to bring together over 250 people of different ages, pace ranges, and experience levels.
Global Running Day isn’t the only day that brings the running community together in Syracuse. It’s every day that people are getting together to log some miles, whether that’s attending a run club or calling up a friend.
“I am really bad at texting so running is my main form of communication,” said Cawley. “I’ll just call up some of my old teammates, even people I’ve competed against, and invite them on a run. Sometimes it’s someone I haven’t seen in years or I’ve only ever said two words to. It’s just a great way to reconnect.”