Activity-Based Community Building

Administers the Rochester Runner of the Year (RROY) Series and the MILEStone Challenge to recognize top local runners, track member mileage, and increase participation in regional races. Awards include patches for qualifying members and public recognition at an annual banquet.

Fields competitive teams that participate in regional, state, and national running competitions, winning over 20 national championships and more than 200 team championships at regional and state levels.

Promotes running as part of a healthy lifestyle in the greater Rochester, NY area across a six-county region. The club has over 380 members (as of 2023), including runners, walkers, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts, and has engaged over 10,000 different athletes in competition over time.

Offers structured training opportunities including a 7-week spring track clinic and an 8-week summer running clinic, each with beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Clinics include track workouts, educational sessions with guest speakers (e.g., on nutrition and injury prevention), and conclude with a 1-mile race. Registration includes entry to a designated race (e.g., McMullen Mile).

Organizes multiple running events annually, including the Freezeroo Series (six winter races) and ultramarathon events such as the Mind The Ducks 12 Hour and Candlelight 12- and 24-Hour races. Provides standings and awards for participants who complete at least four of the six races in the winter series.

Hosts member events such as the annual Summer Picnic & Membership Meeting, sponsors team participation in external events like the Summer Speed Festival, and provides online links and resources to support the local running community.

Administers a Hall of Fame program that honors individuals for their impact on the Rochester running community through personal achievements, volunteerism, mentorship, or service to the club.

Loans race timing and course management equipment—including traffic cones, vests, flags, mile markers, water coolers, and megaphones—to race directors in Monroe County and adjacent counties to support local running events.

Encourages healthy lifestyles by involving families in BMX racing activities.

Provides comprehensive fitness services including over 100 weekly group classes, indoor cycling, yoga, strength training, SilverSneakers® for older adults, and personalized coaching with nationally certified trainers. Includes Evolt 360 Body Composition Scans for progress tracking.

Produces cultural programming including the Jewish Repertory Theatre, author events, book festivals, recitals, and community celebrations such as family events at baseball games and summer festivals with vendor markets, music, and games.

Provides massage therapy services (including deep tissue, medical massage, and sports massage), assisted stretching, physical therapy, and access to production resources such as 3D printing, laser cutting, a recording studio, seed library, job resources, and a lending library for musical instruments and bluetooth speakers.

Provides preschool, after-school care, summer day camp, youth swim teams, and free fitness programs for teens. Operates Camp Centerland in Elma and Camp Lakeland in Franklinville, offering year-round youth development and enrichment opportunities.

Runs physical facilities in Buffalo and Amherst, NY, offering recreational, educational, cultural, and social programs for individuals of all ages in the Jewish and Western New York communities. Facilities include fitness centers, pools, preschools, and cultural programming spaces.

Operates indoor and outdoor pools with lap swimming, open swim, swim lessons for all ages, adaptive swim lessons, water aerobics, aquatic cycling, water drumming, and strength training. Includes American Red Cross certification courses and supports the Storm Swim Club at the Leo Chapin and Richard Zakalik pools.

Offers the 12-month Diabetes Prevention Program with 16 weekly sessions on nutrition, exercise, and behavior change followed by monthly maintenance, and Rock Steady Boxing, a non-contact fitness program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease to improve strength, balance, and endurance.

Partners with local businesses through the Runner Friendly Business Community program, which includes offering member discounts, hosting group runs, and providing water and restroom access.

Provides grants and funding to support running activities with the goal of promoting healthy lifestyles in the community.