Black Roses NYC

Black Roses NYC runs hard and plays hard. This Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan collective has been pushing serious runners since 2013, built by Knox Robinson and Jessie Zapo at the intersection of elite training and NYC culture.

Quick take

If you want structured track work at pro-level intensity alongside runners chasing Boston-qualifying times, this is your RunSesh. Black Roses is a performance-driven collective, not a casual jog club.

Best for

• Competitive runners and BQ-level athletes
• Runners who want structured, coached track sessions
• Those drawn to an elite training community
• Runners who want their training woven into NYC culture

When and where

• Sessions run twice weekly: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Locations span Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn
• Check current session details before your first visit, as locations may vary

Details

• Terrain: track and road
• Workouts include 1K repeats, 3K and 5K efforts, and 300m intervals
• Paces are fast, targeting Boston-qualifying effort and above
• This is pro-level intensity and not suited for beginners, casual runners, or walkers
• No stroller-friendly options
• No dog-friendly policy noted
• No cost or membership details publicly listed, reach out directly to confirm

Why runners like it

• The workouts are structured and demanding, runners show up to be pushed
• The crew lives by a work hard, play hard ethos with a lively social scene after sessions
• Training here connects you to a tight, culture-forward NYC running community unlike anything else in the city

First visit

• Come ready to run fast, this is not a drop-in jog
• Confirm the current meeting location before you head out
• Know your recent race times or workout paces so you can slot into the right group
• The social scene is a real part of the experience, plan to stick around after

Good to know

Black Roses NYC operates on its own terms. Reach out through their channels ahead of your first session to confirm logistics and expectations.