On Saturday, May 4, a record-breaking throng showed up to compete in the 41^st Annual Roscoe C. Brown Jr. Hall of Fame 10K • 5K Runs and 2-Mile Walk on the campus of Bronx Community College. More commonly known as “Run the Bronx,” the second oldest footrace in the city attracted over 2,000 participants this year. They included:

• 11 contestants from foreign countries
• 110 graduates of Bronx Community College
• 92 veterans
• 724 pre-college students

And though Run the Bronx is a signature event of the borough, around half the racers were not Bronx residents.

The celebration of fun and fitness bears the name of the late BCC President and Tuskegee Airman who co-founded it in 1978, Dr. Roscoe Brown. (Co-founder, Commissioner Joseph Ramos was honored with a special award at this year’s event). Dr. Brown, an avid runner himself, was concerned about the standards of health in the borough and this has remained a focus of Run the Bronx ever since. As always, local health care institutions and organizations were on hand to offer free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol levels and other tests.

The race began and ended on the BCC Quad and for those who stayed the course, there were medals for all and trophies for the more outstanding athletes. Proceeds from the Run support student scholarships from the BCC Foundation.

On April 18, the New York City Council issued a proclamation honoring Run the Bronx and Dr. Brown. Former Mayor David Dinkins, a close friend, told the crowd gathered on the steps of City Hall, “When the little ones ask you ‘Who was Roscoe Brown?’ you can tell them he was one helluva cat.”