Rasheda Herndon, a Washington, D.C. native who moved to New York City 30 years ago for school, has spent over a decade as a co-captain for Girls Run NYC. Herndon joined the organization after becoming part of BridgeRunners, an unconventional group that met Wednesday nights in the Lower East Side during its early stages.
While Herndon initially joined BridgeRunners without specific goals, she developed close ties with other women in a space she described as “heavily male-dominated.” This led to her partnership with Jessie Zapo, the founder of Girls Run NYC, who recruited Herndon to serve as a co-captain. Since then, Herndon has focused on consistency within the group.
Overcoming Health Obstacles
Herndon’s history with running began in junior high school, though she describes a “love-hate relationship” with the sport. During her youth, she was diagnosed with a heart murmur and asthma, and was told to stop running as a remedy. She pivoted to other sports, including softball and volleyball.
After moving to New York and living near Central Park, Herndon attempted to run again, though she initially felt ill during her workouts. She noted that running became “feasible and doable” only after she obtained adult health insurance and began a regular treatment plan for her asthma.
Evolution of a Runner
Herndon entered the organized running scene in the early 2000s through New York Road Runners. At the time, she considered a 5k to be her equivalent of a marathon. She eventually joined an official marathon training group, where a friend introduced her to BridgeRunners.
Though she has since participated in various ultras and marathons, Herndon maintains a relaxed approach to her performance. She rarely races for time and now finds more enjoyment in pacing other runners, including pacing Zapo for the Javelina 100-Mile scheduled for this October.
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