Inger-Jo Berger Participation Award
2026 Requirements
The requirements to earn the coveted Inger-Jo Berger Participation Award in 2026 have been determined, and we are thrilled to share them with you.
There are six buckets. Each runner must complete all six buckets (13 races minimum) by December 31, 2026. A race can only count once. Virtual Race results will not be accepted.
Bucket 1 – Community Racing: Must run eight (8) races that are either NYRR Club Points Races or races that are hosted by other NYRR-recognized running clubs. At least three of these races must be races hosted by other NYRR-recognized clubs. FRNY will publish information regarding upcoming races on our calendar and in the weekly FR Gram, and examples of qualifying races are indicated on the FRNY Racing Sign-In Sheet. Local clubs may be found by searching the team standings at https://results.nyrr.org/clubstandings/, and clicking the magnifying glass next to "Club Standings" - search for the organization
Bucket 2 – Running Relays: Any one (1) running (not multisport) relay, on a team consisting of at least 50% Front Runners. Eligible relays are VCTC 2×2, Cherry Tree Relay, Reach the Beach, the Taconic Road Runners Relay, the NYRR 10x5x200, or any relay consisting of a minimum of 1 kilometer per leg. FRNY will publish information, on our website and in the weekly FR Gram, regarding upcoming relays.
Bucket 3 – FRNY Races: must complete 2 FRNY-sponsored races, which include: FRNY Track Meet, Brooklyn Pride Run, FRNY Pride Run, FRNY XC Meet. The dates of these events will be published as far in advance as possible.
Bucket 4 – Long Course Running: Must complete one (1) marathon or greater distance race, or half-Ironman triathlon. Alternatively, must complete three races of half-marathon or greater distance (25k, 30k for example), and/or International/Olympic triathlons or duathlons.
Bucket 5 – Non-Traditional/Specialized Running. Must complete one (1) non-traditional/specialized running race. Includes trail/cross country race, adventure race, ultra, track, or multisport (running + swimming and/or biking).
Bucket 6 – Volunteering. Must volunteer thrice (3) during the year for FRNY. Eligible opportunities include Saturday morning bageling, hosting bag watch for Brooklyn Fun Runs or Long Runs, the Pride Run, pasta dinner or pancake breakfast, the FRNY cross country meet, the FRNY track meet, FRNY event home sponsor, cheer zone captain, active committee involvement and other opportunities that will be announced throughout the year.
A list of races that count toward the various buckets is maintained by the Race Captains and the Board
The adjustment for the 2026 IJB Award fuses the NYRR Points Race and Local Clubs buckets into a "Community Racing" bucket: it grants the runner the alternative to run races hosted by other clubs for all eight races, while also giving the option to submit up to five NYRR Points Races to fulfill this bucket. (Less emphasis on entering and completing the NYRR Points Races, which has grown difficult to enter).
PLEASE NOTE: Moving forward, we will no longer be accepting results from the Never Stop Running Foundation (NSRF) for the "Community Racing" bucket. (The NSRF is a race planning organization and non-profit that does fabulous work, but it is not a NYRR-recognized running club that competes at NYRR Races or the NYC community as a running club).
As one of the top honors this club rewards to runners, we encourage you to answer the call, step up to the challenge, and race in your community to earn the 2026 Inger-Jo Berger Participation Award. So far, we have 21 Fronties who have won the glory of the IJB (and our esteem) in 2025. Let's see more in 2026! Happy holidays, happy new year, and see you at the start corrals!