#mtrnyc

#ROGUE #RACE comin at you tonight. We might be taking on the Brooklyn Bridge!

It doesn't have to be an MTR event for you to dominate the streets and prove your mettle over public transportation. Race on your own. Race with friends. Race any city, any time.

We've been receiving reports from Chicago, London, and all around NYC of rogue races. Be careful, but race those trains, taxis, trolleys, and busses.

(I posted this little story on instagram the other day and wanted to get it on the blog as well.  I definitely didn't plan to have a mini adventure and it's exciting when you discover and try new ways to run and move.  With that said, I gotta a story to tell.  Like to hear it, here it goes!)

So here's how it went down today.  First, it's cold for no reason everywhere and Chicago is no exception.  It's lunchtime, but I already ate so I'm fueled and ready to kick Old Man Winter in the face.  Temperature reads 28 degrees (feels like 15 degrees).  Wind is crazy from all directions downtown, but whatever.  LG4 Shield's are laced, gaiter is pulled up, I catch a GPS signaland I'm good to go.  My plan is to do a nice easy 4 miles...run relaxed and enjoy some tasty treats I have waiting back at the office...

...I like varying my runs, taking different streets, and enjoying all the CHI has to offer.  When the sun is shining, the weather is always sweet (in my mind).  I head down Michigan Ave to Cermak, turn up Wabash.  Running against the wind today is like running hills, but I'm still enjoying myself and coming across restaurants, shops, and bars I either hadn't been to in a while or not at all.  The street is quiet.  Not many people are out walking and I feel a sense of calm.  Then what happened next changed the whole mood.  I hear a rumbling and screeching that completely snapped me out of my mental mind state.  I look over to my left and noticed the Green line mocking me as it barreled it's way on the elevated tracks.  On cue, "Move Something" by Reflection Eternal came on in the headphones, visions of the Mass Transit Racers and Black Roses NYC @blackrosesnyc taking on trains and cabs popped in my head, and I just took off!...

...as man vs machine square off, I find myself neck and neck with the Green line.  I set the finish line as The Loop and I'm confident that I'll get there first.  The shortest distance between two points is a straight line and on this stretch, this is exactly what the train has at its advantage.  I, on the other hand have started weaving through students coming out of classes at Columbia and ducking through alleys and parking lots to gain ground I'm losing.  When I'm not listening for the train, I'm looking over and hoping the conductor and their passengers realize I am not giving up easily.  At one point, I lose the train behind buildings, but catch a glimpse of the last car as I get to 14th.  Sad to say, that was the closest I would be and the train won this round.  This isn't the end and I have to say this is a great way to run.  So a big thanks, shout out, and homage goes out to the Mass Transit Racers and everyone else out there pushing what running is and what it can do. 

Peace,

Jigbie @cmplicatd [GO! City Runners]

What is Mass Transit Racers? 

Have you ever sprinted down subway stairs to catch a quickly approaching 1 train? Ever just missed the crosstown bus? Ever raced down the street in midtown to hail a speeding cab?

At MTR, we say, “To hell with public transportation, we’ll run all over this city and we’ll get there faster.”

That’s exactly what we do: we race the trains, busses, cabs, and any other form of mass transit in NYC. And we beat them all.

Everyone is a Mass Transit Racer. The concept of beating public transportation is easy, it’s the execution that’s the hard part:

Step 1: Find an opponent. This can be a cab, bus, or train. Have a race official get on that vessel.

Step 2: Set the start and finish line. You’ll be an MTR winner if you can beat the race official, who will stay in the vehicle to the finish line.

Step 3: Race. As soon as the cab, bus, or train gets going, you do too. Run as fast as you can because transit doesn’t sleep. Knowledge of the city, its streets and shortcuts is crucial.

Step 4: Win. If you beat the race official to the finish line, then you’re a winner. Celebrate and get ready to do it again. 

Beating mass transit isn’t always easy. Alright, fine - It’s tough as shit. But Mass Transit Racers doesn’t care about tough as shit. We defeat tough as shit.

So next time you pay over $100 for a monthly metro card, hit traffic on the crosstown, or get lost in a cab, just remember: we’ve already arrived on foot. And you could too.

We’re Mass Transit Racers, and we’re Public transportation’s worst nightmare. 

The subway is not enough. We have a bone to pick. CABS AIN'T GOT SHIT ON US.

Coming 3/14 

#meetMTR 

Paul, or "P-Cash", is an MTR All-Star. The silent assassin has let to lose. If there's a train, bus, or trolley to race... Paul will beat it.