Stories: OSR30

OSR30 is a 30+ Mile urban ultra that takes runners around the perimeter of Manhattan brought to you by Orchard Street Runners. In 2023, the race took place on March 25 - a day that gave athletes the ultimate weather test: 35 degrees, high winds, and cold downpour.

The start line at an OSR event is always a mixture of emotions, unlike an “official” race (whatever that means), there’s a mixture of camaraderie, vibes, and nervous energy.

Although there is no “set route” - if you know what you’re doing you’ll know here is the most “sensical route” which gives runners the least amount of elevation, the least amount of distance, and the maximum amount of momentum. This year, that meant doing the BK navy yard cut through. Don’t know what this is? Sorry I can’t help you.

Left, 2nd place male finisher Travis Hawkins, Right OSR30 2023 champ Greg Billington

I then moved to what I’d consider to be the crux of the course, the Broadway hill. There are ways to not do this hill, but for most routes it just makes sense to endure it.

Vito in flight.

Julia Meyer, 7 days after her LA marathon, tackling the Broadway hill.

Headed south, it was time to checkout a NYC landmark and second to last checkpoint - the fountain at Lincoln Center. I’ve never before seen so many confused Opera goers.

When you photograph an unsanctioned race, there are many tradeoffs. If you camp in one place, you won’t cover the whole course.

If you cover one pack of runners, you’ll miss another pack. Because I stayed at Lincoln Center so long, there was no way for me to get most of the runners at the finish. At this point, it was 4 hours into the race, I hopped on my bike to the West Side Highway to catch one more pack and then headed to the finish.

Soaked, exhausted, OSR30 done.