Every Friday morning, runners circle up in front of the pergolas that stand at the Parkside / Ocean Ave entrance of Prospect Park. As people congregate, they greet each other with hellos and hugs, and at the start time, there’s a round of introductions followed by a photo. The group typically draws about 20-50 people, counting babies in strollers, plus an occasional dog or two. It’s a true community run, a loop around the park ending at coffee, typically at Der Pioneer, where PPTC member Björn Böttcher is a pastry chef and owner. This is the Southeast Corner run, lovingly referred to as SEC by club members, and this spring, it turned five.

Six people standing on grass in front of a group of trees and intersecting paths. The people are smiling and wearing running clothes and standing in the shade near a patch of sun. — A photo from one of SEC’s first runs on 5/28/21. Photo by me!

A group of eight people in running clothes stand in front of a group of evergreen and deciduous trees with varying shades of orange leaves. — SEC in October or November 2021. Photo provided by Erin Anthony.

A group of 10 people in running clothes standing in front of a pergola. Some are looking at the camera while others are looking up at a bird that's flying close above them in the left corner of the photo. — A bird joined SEC on 2/11/22. Photo by Will Ngo

This occasion passed without much notice, but last month, I was reflecting on my built community and realized I had SEC to thank for much of it. The meet-up has become the start to many of my weekends, and it’s a great way to check in with folks, catch up, and meet new people. While running is our throughline, we’ve found several other commonalities such as art, hobbies, morals, beliefs, and numerous friendships have sprung forth. Additionally, a several of the attendees live in the neighborhoods surrounding SEC, which makes meeting up for dinner or gatherings outside of running fairly seamless.

A group of 20-23 people in run clothes stand underneath a pergola covered in vines of verdant plants. They are all smiling — SEC on 5/27/22, photo provided by Will Ngo.

10 runners running on asphalt surrounded by verdant plant life. The runners are smiling and in mid conversation — SEC runners out on the loop in June 2022. Photo by Will Ngo

Long shadows and golden sun cast over a group of 20ish smiling runners including a baby in a stroller standing and sitting under a pergola which has an abundance of lush, leafy green vines cascading down from the roof. — SEC on 8/19/22. Photo by Grace Mennell

A screenshot of a smart phone screen that reads : 08:37 October 13, 2022 Messages: Now: Any Runner in South Central Brooklyn: "are you going to SEC tomorrow?" — No doubt the message flashing across the phones of SEC runners on Thursday nights.

Attending SEC semi-regularly over the past five years has brought me some of my closest friends. Each week, I am astounded by the amazing people at SEC and how lucky I am to call them part of my wider circle. There have been many times that I’ve shown up to SEC feeling down or off, yet by the time I leave, my mood has significantly improved. The connections at SEC feel genuine and rooted in something larger than running, maybe care, appreciation, acceptance, and/or gratitude.

A group of about 15 runners and a baby in a stroller sitting around black metal tables outside in a wooden fenced in area with a concrete ground and pops of plants around. The tables are litered with coffee cups & pastries; the runners are conversing — SEC at coffee in Der Pioneer’s backyard on 11/11/22. Photo by Igor Enin.

A group of about 20 bundled up runners standing and kneeling on grass strewn with brown leaves. The trees in the background have brown and red leaves or are evergreens and the sky is a bright blue. — SEC on 11/18/22. Photo provided by Will Ngo.

A group of about 20 runners sitting and standing under the pergola. Two in the far back are posing back to back. Behind the pergola you can see bare trees and the first traces of light. — SEC on 12/2/22. Photo by Will Ngo

A group of about 45 runners sitting, squatting and standing underneath a pergola covered in vines and wisteria flowers. The runners in the very back are all posing with their hands on their hip. The runners are smiling. — SEC on 4/28/23. Photo by Nina Bryn

Regardless of finding the correct adjective, SEC is a special run. The relatively short nature of the run and its ending at Der Pioneer allow for flexibility. If injured or heading to work, members can walk a shortcut through the park and still feel a part of the meet-up. Members can also run while pushing their kids in strollers and/or with their dogs on leash. Alternatively, members can join the runners at Der Pioneer post-run. These options render SEC accessible to a wider range of people. As someone who has been injured for most of the past five years, I greatly appreciate that (shoutout to Linda Chan, who pointed out that I could come and walk at SEC following a knee injury back in 2022). SEC has been my one steady connection to PPTC. Without it, I would have lost many of my ties to the club.

A group of about 40 runners standing next to and in front of lush green trees and vines as they stand on a concrete plaza. — SEC on 9/8/23, photo by Will Ngo

Two runners bundled in winter hats and one wearing a red PPTC jacket, running on asphalt near a lake. The sky is a soft yellow and orange with streaks of wispy clouds . Ahead of them you can green traffic light and a couple other runners. — SEC running into the sunrise on 12/8/23. Photo by Matt Brown

A group of nearly 30 runners bundled up underneath a pergola as salt and ice and snow lightly coat the concrete ground in white. The trees behind them and the vines above all have bare branches. — SEC in January 2024. Photo by Will Ngo

A group of about 35 runners underneath a pergola, above and behind them are vines and trees covered in deep green leaves. — SEC on 6/7/24, photo provided by Erin Anthony.

Going to an SEC run now, it’s hard to imagine that when it first started, there were only a few of us who regularly attended. In 2021, I used to roll out of bed and sprint to SEC each Friday because I was worried that if I didn’t show up, someone else would be there alone. Many times, there were only two or three of us running the loop. I also feared that if steady attendance wasn’t achieved, the run would be cut from the weekly meet- ups.

Also worried about how scantily attended the run was, one of the meet-up’s leaders, Rafa, sent out a survey to see if another time and day be better suited for the run. Yet, results showed that everyone agreed Friday mornings worked best. We wanted the run to be successful as we felt that SEC was and could continue to be something great, a run that transcended the sport and felt more like home (ya, I’m sappy).

Slowly, SEC gained traction and over the years it sustained and grew to nearly 30 people at most runs and sometimes as many as 50.

The Friday morning SEC run started in the spring of 2021 after the COVID pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 highlighted the inequalities that Black people, Indigenous, People of color, people of low socioeconomic status, people with disabilities, people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized peoples experience and face. This led to PPTC examining its own shortcomings and recognizing ways it could improve its accessibility to all runners around the park. One remedy implemented was creating weekly runs that started at different entry points of Prospect Park.

That’s how Bartel-Pritchard Square became the Saturday start point and how the SEC run was created. Former PPTC member, Kate Thompson, who lived in the Southeast Corner area had largely pushed for a starting location at Parkside and Ocean. She only attended a few SEC runs and eventually moved but we all have her to thank for SEC coming to fruition.

About 40 runners in neutrals, fuscia, purple and neon yellow clothing are smiling underneath a pergola that has verdant vines cascading down from the roof. In the photo, one person is peeking out from behind a pergola post, another has their hands up — SEC on 9/20/24, photo provided by Nancy Sai

A group of about 30 runners in rain jackets, mittens, hats, and headbands are gathered underneath a pergola. Two are petting a dog on a leash that is being held by someone several people down from them. — SEC on 11/22/24, photo by Will Ngo.

A group of about 40 runners and a dog gathered underneath a pergola. Fog can be seen in the background and the vines and trees are lush and green. — SEC on 5/16/25. Photo by David Coleman.

SEC is now a cornerstone of PPTC that is dear to many members. Several of whom, have added their own reflections of the SEC run in celebration of its fifth birthday, a milestone that we hope is just the start.

A group of about 40 runners smiling and posing underneath a pergola whose roof is a vibrant and verdant . — SEC on 9/19/25, photo by Grace Mennell.

A group of 26 bundled runners gathered underneath a pergola. Snow is on the ground and one of the runners is holding a golden cowbell and smiling. — SEC on 2/6/26. Photo by Cameron Mizell

A group of about 45 runners, a baby, and a dog, underneath the pergola in dappled sunlight with lush vines cascading down from the pergola's roof. — SEC 6/5/26, photo by David Coleman.

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Happy 5 years of SEC!

An image of a slip of paper with typed questions and hand written answers. The paper is pinned to a navy blue background with a yellow thumbtack. The contents of the writing are written below the photo.

Cameron Mizell (He/Him)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
2ish years, tagging along w/ friends

What has SEC brought to your life?
More pastries! And I guess some nice friendships.

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
My memory is not that great, but it has brought a nice routine to my week.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
There is no such thing as an actual 9 min pace.

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Nat (She/Her)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
2.5 years, through friends in run club

What has SEC brought to your life?
A wonderful routine to start the weekend in a fun way and decompress from the week. Plus meet new friends! And improving my running, too.

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
Telling my SEC friends I had proposed to my wife!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I love that it’s a small, relaxed crew where all paces and skill levels are welcome.

An image of a slip of paper with typed questions and hand written answers. The paper is pinned to a navy blue background with a gold metal thumbtack. The contents of the writing are written below the photo.

Laura Hagadone (she/her)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
4.8 years?

What has SEC brought to your life?
The best people!

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
Getting to know people while running in crazy weather, seeing new babies, coffee talks, making new traditions.

An image of a slip of white printer paper with typed questions and hand written answers. The paper is pinned to a navy blue background with a green thumbtack. The contents of the writing are written below the photo.

Patrick Dela Cruz (He/Him)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
I’ve been coming to SEC for 2 years. This was my first run with the club, and ever since I met the club community, I try to make it every Friday!

What has SEC brought to your life?
SEC has brought me the perfect start to a Friday morning, with a run, coffee, and opportunities to socialize with friends!

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
My first SEC run as a new member! Within that first run, I met so many awesome people that I still talk with today. I already felt like a part of the community from the start.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
If you are looking for a way to stay active, meet new people and be a part of a community, and enjoy coffee, come join us at a SEC run!

Dylan (he/him)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
Two weeks! Just joined PPTC recently and have been loving the group, the energy, and the community of running.

What has SEC brought to your life?
A reason to wake up early on a Friday, new friends, and a really lovely way to start my weekend.

Veronica

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
A coworker told me. Been running for a year.

What has SEC brought to your life?
Very special friends, good Friday starts.

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
When Mel brought Fig to the coffee.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Love!

Prachi

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
I was on the very first SEC run! It was close to me and I liked the ritual of getting coffee afterwards.

What has SEC brought to your life?
Community and weekly grounding- it’s one of my favorite weekly rituals. I come even when I’m injured.

Karissa Lidstrand (She/Her)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
2 years- saw people from the club running in park and decided to try the Friday coffee run.

What has SEC brought to your life?
Friends! The 10:30 pace group is awesome and I look forward to running with them each week.

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
Seeing friends from the SEC run out in the neighborhood. I once saw Nancy in FiDi while I was shipping a package. We realized we both work in the area and decided to get lunch.

Anne Warner (she/her)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
3 years! It felt like a fun, low- stakes way to get into a PPTC routine with other morning runners.

What has SEC brought to your life?
A go-to morning running crew…and cake ends at Der Pioneer!

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
Every spring when it’s the first Friday when the weather is nice enough for the patio. :)

Nancy

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
I have been coming to SEC for about three years now. I started coming to the run because it was the one run where the start was closest to my apartment.

What has SEC brought to your life?
It has brought lots: mostly friendships

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
I also have lots and it is hard to pick. I think if I had to choose one - it will be one of my first runs and the welcome I got from people.

Jeremy L. (he/Him)

How long have you been coming to SEC?
8 months - it’s the day that works best w/ my schedule!

What has SEC brought to your life?
stability, community, friendship, and the best start to the weekend ever.

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
My first run, where I headed over w/ my partner, Rachel S. It was her first time running with a run club and she was so nervous about it! But the SEC group was so so welcoming, and now we’re both PPTC lifers.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
S’more years!

Nina H. (she/her)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
Fall of 2022, someone said they’d buy me a coffee so I showed up!

What has SEC brought to your life?
New friends, an earlier wake up, a good schedule

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
I run from GAP to SEC with my bud, Nick, and it’s a great routine and a great weekly reason to catch up.

Skye (they/them)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
4 years! It’s the closest run to my house.

What has SEC brought to your life?
I love this community! I look forward to my Friday morning run every week. I’ve met some of my best friends here. It’s brought me consistent joy!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
SEC has the coolest ppl in the club!

MeeT (he/him)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
Friday coffee! 3 years!

What has SEC brought to your life?
New friends

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
Getting rained on while someone played drums under the cover

Mitch Patrick (he/him)

How long have you been coming to SEC? What brought you to the run?
3 1/2 years. I found info about it online and signed up. Since then I have attended SEC regularly. It’s like going to church for me.

What has SEC brought to your life?
Undeniably, a lot more health and happiness, self- confidence, and many great friends have been made.

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
Befriending “a” bird in the backyard of Der P. named Oscar. Also walking from Der Pioneer to the train station and going into the weekend feeling healthy.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
SEC is the first place where my life changed for the better - it gives me more purpose!

Shannon SharP (she/her)

How long have you been coming to SEC?
3.5 years

What has SEC brought to your life?
Community, consistency, and the best way to start the weekend, many new, wonderful friends! Friday coffee run is a bright spot in my week, and a huge disappointment whenever I can’t make it. Sometimes I fall in with just one other runner and have a quiet conversation, but my favorite is when I arrive and find so many friends that we are a party, just in the morning and on the move. I think part of the magic is that we can see friends without any scheduling chore, and that the unofficial culture is no phones and talk to everyone. Time outside plus community make it a fantastic start to the weekend. Thank you PPTC!

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
No one memory, but so many fantastic conversations!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
It’s such an important part of my week that I almost never miss it!

Eric

How long have you been coming to SEC?
Since 2022

What has SEC brought to your life?
Coffee! Community! Cowabunga!

What is a favorite SEC memory of yours?
Flood Run 2023. Running back from Der Pioneer, knee-deep in dirty Brooklyn water.

Katie Lau (she/her)

I’ve been coming to SEC since joining the club in 2021. At the time, I was participating in a lot of social runs because I was new to the city and to the club. SEC is the main social run that I still join consistently. It’s a highlight of my week and having such a consistent, longstanding community activity in my neighborhood makes me feel at home. So many important life updates have been shared over SEC coffee. I hope to see everyone most Friday mornings for years to come!

The circle up at SEC that happens before each run. In the photo you can see runners standing in a circle and their shadows spilling forward as the sun hits their backs. In the middle one runner stands and one runner has his baby in a stroller. — SEC circle that happens before each run, where runners introduce themselves and share their intended pace and whether they’ll go to coffee or not on 6/12/26. Photo by David Coleman.

Intro text by: Rachael DePalma (she/her)
Questionnaire respondents: as attributed
Photos by: as attributed
Carousel photos by: (1) Will Ngo- 11/1/24; (2) Jordin - 1/24/25; (3) Cameron Mizell - 7/11/25; (4) David Coleman - 9/5/25; (5) Marie BM - 7/5/24; (6) Cameron Mizell - 8/29/25; (7) David Coleman - 6/12/26; (8) Matt Brown - 8/7/26
Produced by: Rachael DePalma

PPTC is a diverse and supportive team. We want to celebrate the diversity of our club and membership. We welcome and encourage everyone to share their stories with us.

Happy 5th Birthday, SEC!