April 18, 2024
A local Queens running club aiming to quickly coordinate a track meet open to the public sought a partnership with St. John’s University to get up and running.
The Queens Distance Runners (QDR) will host their inaugural track meet at St. John's University’s Queens, NY, campus on Saturday, April 20, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event, with a modest registration fee that tops out at $25 for multiple events, takes place rain or shine on the track that surrounds DaSilva Memorial Field. Registration for the track meet is underway and on-site registration is available Saturday morning.
The club first contacted Brian Browne, an avid runner and University administrator. He connected them with the Office of Conference Services, which always seeks to host new and outward-facing community events on campus. After coordinating schedules and availability with the Athletics Department, the collaborative effort was finalized.
“Mindful that the spring semester is winding down, our goal was to schedule the track meet so that the broad St. John’s campus community can participate,” stated Mr. Browne.
“In a borough rich with diversity, Queens stands out for its vibrant culture, yet lacked a thriving running community,” shared Kevin Montalvo, Founder, Queens Distance Runners. “Queens Distance Runners unites more than 2,000 members and hosts pioneering race events like the Queens Marathon and Jackson Heights Mile.”
He continued, “With our inaugural QDR track meet at St. John's University, we pave the way for the next generation of Queens runners, ensuring they have the spaces and opportunities to flourish. All are welcome to attend, participate, or just cheer the runners.”
Founded in 2013, the Queens Distance Runners club helps athletes improve their distance running through training and events in the borough. Queens features some of the biggest public parks in the city and long running paths that extend into different neighborhoods. Members are highly diverse and have different athletic capabilities.
The track meet at St. John’s will feature the following events:
5,000 Meters
Mile
800 Meters
400 Meters
SMR (Sprint Medley Relay)
200 Meters
4x400
Kids’ 50-Meter Dash
For more information, visit https://queensdistance.org