RBC Brooklyn Half Runners Are Part of an Amazing Local Community

The RBC Brooklyn Half, the unofficial kickoff to summer, is one of the country’s largest and most anticipated half marathons.

As race day approaches, we highlight two runners with strong ties to Brooklyn. Like many others in the 26,000-plus runner field, both have overcome challenges to be a part of this year’s race from the Brooklyn Museum to the Coney Island boardwalk.

Running: Core to Brooklyn's DNA

Brooklyn in 2024 is a hotbed of running and home to a vibrant running culture:

• Of the more than 250 run clubs that engage with NYRR, nearly 100 are based in Brooklyn, totaling 16,000 runners. About a quarter of those clubs were created in 2022 or later.
• More than 11,000 members of NYRR are from Brooklyn, an increase from 9,000 in 2021.
• About 20% of 2024 RBC Brooklyn Half finishers will be borough natives, and over 2,000 of them are part of Brooklyn running clubs.

Chris Lawrence: Running for Gratitude

Christopher (Chris) Lawrence, a mental health professional and guidance counselor, is gearing up for a comeback at this year’s RBC Brooklyn Half after the loss of his best friend and training partner.

Chris ran the 2022 RBC Brooklyn Half but hasn’t run another NYRR race since. “Changing careers and going back to school for guidance counseling and then again for mental health counseling, both took a toll not only financially, but also in regard to my time,” he said. “My Saturdays and Sundays have been dedicated to personal and professional development. [This] required making necessary sacrifices which included a hiatus from racing.”

He also had injury setbacks, including Morton’s neuroma, a condition that affects the nerves between the toes.

A resident of Rockland County, Chris runs with the Brooklyn Track Club and draws strength from memories with his friend and the support of his running community. He considers running a lifeline amidst life’s trials, and he’s determined to reclaim his passion at the 2024 RBC Brooklyn Half.

For him, race day won’t be just about crossing the finish line, but also about rediscovering himself and honoring his friend’s memory while advocating for the therapeutic benefits of running in mental health.

“For me this run will be about acceptance and gratitude,” he said. “I’d like to run more, race more, train more, be further engulfed in the running community, have my running partner by my side. However, I know there is value in being content and enjoying what’s available to me now. My injuries and losses have urged me to embrace to present for better or for worse, equally.”

Sabine Bellevue: A Run to Heal and Connect

Sabine Bellevue has always found solace and healing through running. After having uterine fibroids for over 15 years, in 2021 she noticed the condition worsening. “[It] made me look like I was pregnant,” she said. “I also started experiencing discomfort during my runs.”

Sabine is a native of Brooklyn and a longtime member of NYRR. She’s run 52 NYRR races, but starting in 2022 her condition led her to curtail her racing. After meeting with several specialists, she finally found a specialist that she connected with. She decided to have a hysterectomy last December, due to the fibroids’ sizes and location.

Sabine has faced other challenges, including becoming a temporary guardian for her granddaughter and caring for her elderly mother. Through it all, she relied on running to maintain her mental and physical well-being and she was determined to do the same post-surgery.

“Getting back to running was very important to me, but I didn't realize how challenging it would be,” she said. She’s bounced back quickly from injuries including a broken foot and sprained ankle, but this was different. “Recovering from a hysterectomy takes a different kind of healing process. Not only did I have to heal externally and internally, but also mentally.”

She joined NYRR Group Training on Tuesday mornings in Prospect Park to prepare for the RBC Brooklyn Half.

“I joined to connect with other runners. I wanted to improve my endurance and speed, but I got more than that. I was able to connect with one of the coaches who shared with me that she, too, had major surgery. She suggested that I give myself grace and time to recover. So, in addition to improving my running game, I got some excellent advice for my overall health.”

Sabine is connected to her community in other ways. “My community in Brooklyn is terrific at keeping people informed about what's happening. I am in the heart of Brooklyn, where Prospect Park, Prospect Park Zoo, Central Library, and so much more are located. I receive plenty of newsletters from my local community organizations. There's always something going on in my community that I can be a part of.”

She expects to feel that connection to community deeply on race day. “I am determined to cross the finish line,” she said. “Race day will be a great moment of accomplishment and joy.”