Larry Sillen, a seasoned runner, took part in his eighth New York Road Runners Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 17. The event saw nearly 30,000 runners lining up for the race, making it a prestigious event among the New York Road Runners community. Larry, who is 80 years old, first got involved with the New York Road Runners back in 1983 during a running camp. He shared his interest in photography with the organization, which eventually led him to volunteer his services for a team dedicated to athletes with disabilities.
A Chance Encounter Leads to Decades of Involvement
Larry’s initial freelance work for the organization connected him with Dick Traum, the founder of the Achilles Track Club. This encounter marked the beginning of Larry’s extensive involvement as a runner, photographer, and course marshal. Over the years, he has completed 24 marathons and estimates that he has participated in around ten Brooklyn Half Marathons. His dedication to the running community was recognized when he was inducted into the New York Road Runners Volunteer Hall of Fame earlier this month.
Community and Passion Keep Him Going
For Larry, the sense of community within the running world is what motivates him to keep coming back. Despite his age and the inevitable decrease in his running times, he emphasizes the joy and fun he experiences during races. His focus on capturing everyday runners through his photography highlights the essence of the running community. He takes pride in sharing moments with runners that they may not have even realized were captured, creating a unique tradition of preserving memories from each event.
Recognition and Continued Contribution
In 2018, Larry’s photography was honored with the Joe Kleinerman Award for outstanding community service by the New York Road Runners. Even after more than four decades of running, he remains dedicated to giving back to the community. As a course marshal for NYRR, he provides encouragement to fellow runners along the course, embodying the spirit of volunteerism that is at the core of the running community. Despite his age, Larry shows no signs of slowing down and plans to participate in the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. His commitment to both running and supporting his fellow athletes serves as an inspiration to all who know him.
