January Runner of the Month: Tara Merigan

For Tara Merigan - running is a family matter.

She started off running taking short jogs with her dad as a kid - and found a new family of runners here at North Brooklyn Runners in 2022. She’s been a fixture since, leading Just Central on Wednesday mornings, and is a race coordinator (a natural fit if you ask us - she recently pushed one of our web coordinators to a huge Bronx 10 Mile PR. Thanks Tara!)

This year Tara is training for the TCS New York City Marathon with the team and will be kicking off the year with a little base build.

When did you join NBR and why?

I joined NBR around May 2022. Like many… I was a longtime lurker on the Google Group and it took a little while to work up the courage to join, but from my first run I was hooked! I joined because I was getting bored running alone and thought it sounded like a nice way to meet people in the neighbourhood. 

In what ways have you been involved with NBR? 

I lead Just Central on Wednesday mornings from Bed-Stuy (come hang!) and am newly one of the Race Coordinators.

How did you initially get into running?

My dad was a big runner (before age and injuries caught up with him) and he used to take me for little jogs around the block from when I was around 7 years old. I think he would then go for his own proper run afterwards…

What is your favorite race distance?

I think the half marathon! Long enough that you get to take everything in and enjoy things (as opposed to the blur of pain in a 5K) but not as brutal as the marathon (which for me… IYKYK.)

Favorite running route in NYC?

Loops of Prospect Park alllll day. 

Favorite post-race food?

Always a bagel, BEC or cream cheese depending on my mood.

Favorite song to run to make you want to run?

Not song… but Renaissance by Beyoncé is an excellent album to run to.

Favorite running social media account?

Heaps Good Runners (they’re Australian too!) and Runday Scaries. 

What do you think is the worst part about being a runner?

The (lack of) toenails :( 

Current running goal?

To have fun! I’m running the TCS New York City Marathon this year and just wanting to enjoy base building before I get back into training.