Jennifer Heiner is a retail director at a New Jersey running company. Working closely with the company's founders, Jennifer Heiner assists with the operation of three retail stores that furnish high-end performance apparel. This requires managing inventory control and hiring new associates during peak shopping periods. Additionally, she aids the company's business development initiatives, which include hosting multiple races each year. In this capacity, she offers coaching, race directing, and organizational assistance, from ensuring aid stations are stocked to securing winners' medals. Prior to her current position, Jennifer Heiner helped to coordinate foster families at a dog rescue in New Jersey. As part of her responsibilities, she worked to expand the organization’s impact by recruiting more foster families and volunteers. She also assisted in providing more than 100 dogs a month with foster homes by addressing immediate issues that might arise during the fostering experience. She prepared for her career by earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and ethics from Lehigh University. She earned multiple distinctions as a student, such as achieving the Faculty Invitational for Outstanding Scholars and membership in The National Scholars Honor Society.
Jennifer Heiner is an avid runner - she got into the sport after being a lifelong athlete without an outlet after organized sports in school were over. Now that COVID is waning and more and more races are being put on again, Jennifer has gotten involved with another NYC area running group, NYCRUNS, and is helping with race day events and customer service questions.
Being able to give back to the running community is a great way to be involved in the sport on a different level, and to give back to other runners. Both NYCRUNS and New York Road Runners have great opportunities to give back to the running community, regardless of whether you are a runner or not!
The various boroughs of New York City also each have their own personality and flair - and it is fun to run in each of them to see the neighborhoods and gain some local culture. Brooklyn especially draws many runners to Prospect Park, and the unique neighborhoods make this borough a fun backdrop for the NYCRUNS Brookyln Half Marathon, held every April.
Supposedly, one out of every seven Americans can trace their lineage back to Brooklyn somehow. Some sources even say as many as one in four. Unfortunately, no one really knows. Let's just say, there's a reason Brooklyn is at the center of the American diaspora and there's a good chance your family spent some time here.
Today, if the borough of Brooklyn were a city on its own, it would be the fourth largest in the United States by population. More than 2.5 million people currently call Brooklyn home.
With that in mind, next time you see the Statue of Liberty from the platform at Smith & 9th Street (the only station in the city you can see it from), feel a little bit more at home in America!
The race kicks off from Greenpoint, Brooklyn which is the northernmost neighborhood in Brooklyn. Greenpoint was founded as an industrial maritime neighborhood, and the home to Polish and Irish immigrants beginning in the late 1800s.
Today, when you head to Greenpoint (which is only accessible by the G Train and the Ferry), you will find an eclectic mix of vintage shops, new-school and old-school restaurants, and vibrant nightlife options.
McCarren Park is the largest green space within Greenpoint itself and right next to the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon start line.
