Un cuarto de milla con Harlem Run

April, center, seconds after finishing the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile with her friend—and NYRR coach—Tammy Salazar.

Each week, A Quarter-Mile With features a club captain/runner as NYRR spotlights our club runners. This week, as we count down the days until the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K, we focus on April Cargill, who runs with Harlem Run as well as November Project NYC.

Name: April Cargill

Club: Harlem Run. And November Project NYC.

Fartlek or tempo? Tempo, because I always look at the fastest pace listed from my coach, Kai, and think “There is no way I can run that far at that pace.” Then when I complete it, I feel like a badass.

Favorite NYRR race? Percy Sutton Harlem 5K. It's in Harlem and the start line is one block and one avenue away from my apartment. Seeing the familiar sights of an NYRR race in my own neighborhood that morning is priceless.

Favorite race distance? Half-marathon. It gives me enough time to get into a groove without feeling uncomfortable. Except for the last 5K, which is when my coach usually encourages me to push and earn that PR.

Favorite distance to run? Six miles. Easy pace. Just enough time to burn off some fries, listen to a good album, and clear stress from my mind.

Running hero? Mary Arnold. Do you know how many miles this woman runs regularly? She can run 100-mile trail races but she can also run super-fast, too. She is so knowledgeable about all things running and is one of the sweetest and kindest people I know.

Post-race meal? French fries with Tito's and soda.

Cold-weather or warm-weather running? Warm. I'm a Caribbean girl.

Treadmills: yay or nay? Neither. They are necessary sometimes because of extreme NYC weather.

Most exotic place you’ve run? The Tokyo Marathon

Race-day inspiration quote? “You’re a runner, so just do you and run.”

Toughest race course, in your opinion? NYRR Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K. “Them hills yo!”

Song that makes you want to go faster? “Da Rockwilder” by Method Man and Redman.

You can run alongside any three people in the world: Who are they? Marquita Hannibal-Francique, Florence (Flo-Jo) Griffith Joyner, and Wilma Rudolph.

Best non-running account you follow on Instagram? Halle Berry. We are two years apart in age and she is a single mom. She makes me feel better about not fitting ridiculous age stereotypes. Love her.

Your club, in five words or less? My home base running family.