Meet George! He is typically behind the camera at our races, but this Friday his newest creation, MTAR Crew will be co-hosting our race. We sat down with him, to find out just what his crew is all about!
TELL US ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR MTAR AND WHAT MOTIVATED YOU IN FORMING THE GROUP. HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE VIBE OF YOUR GROUP DIFFERS FROM SOME OF THE OTHER GROUPS/CREWS IN NYC AND HOW ARE THEY THE SAME?
I came up with MTAR CREW WHICH STANDS FOR “MORE THAN A RUN CREW” BECAUSE running means way more then how it’s spelled. Meaning whether you’re training for a race, or trying to lose weight, or running to benefit a personal cause. At the same time supporting your fellow runners during there training seasons, or supporting there personal life projects or careers this is what MTAR CREW was built from.
The difference between us is that ego's are not the main machine of our group, because throughout the years I've been with every group/crews out here and you can do a history check on that, and that's a huge reason that I've never attached myself to no group for that reason. At the same time, I can't be what I've never been, I can only be true to everything and everybody that comes threw my path. One thing that I've learned is, leaders can only be how it's spelled, so the question is "what I mean by this" is how can you lead people? When you don't even know where your at or where your going? I know East Harlem is where I'm located and all over the globe is where I'm going.
YOU HAVE RECENTLY BEEN PARTNERING WITH MARNEY FROM URBAN ART RUNNING TOURS. TELL US MORE!
Yes. It was a awesome run. Marnie from @runstreet reached out to me, telling me that she saw that our crew routes always involved art, and that's why she ask me if I wanted to collaborate on an art run that was based throughout Harlem, that would benefit a great cause for the (not a crime Champaign) @notacrimechampaign which has had artist from all over the world create full scale murals all over Harlem throughout the summer to bring awareness to the world about children in Iran that are not able to have an education because of their religious beliefs. So to make along story short, how could I say no?
GEORGE, YOU HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED FOR MANY OF THE OSR RACES, AND MOST OF OUR TTB RACES. TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THESE RACES, AND HOW YOUR VIEW MAY DIFFER THEN THE TYPICAL PERSON CHEERING?
I support our urban running Circuit period, because it's more than just one huge organization that normally has running events that don't have the same passion. More or less, I say it like this because these smaller events that people like you and Joe feel more personal. As per conversations that we've had, these events bring many local runners, but I want New York to know that these events are happening, and at the same time they should come out an experience this even if their not running it. As far as what i see different then others are epic moments. I see what the runners don't see, I see what spectators don't see, meaning the deep down grime, passion, and drive that us as runners put into the sport of running an freeze that moment into history. I'm not here to discredit any other artist, but I still haven't seen nothing that even remotely near what I've produced throughout the years.
EAST HARLEM IS YOUR CREWS PLAYGROUND. TELL US WHERE YOU NORMALLY MEET FOR RUNS DO YOU HAVE WEEKLY PLANNED MEET UPS?
Now we have a weekly meet, on Thursdays 6:30pm meet, 7:10pm Run out of Dear Mama Coffee at 308 E 109th street, New York, N.Y. 10029
FAVORITE RUNNING ROUTES? East Harlem 100 percent, it's less congestion, and always something fresh and amazing going on day and night. Sorry to all other boroughs.
FAVORITE WORKOUT?
That's a problem, because I only run, and cycle, and do yoga
FAVORITE POST WORKOUT DRINK?
Powerade, cold brew, whey protein. Not mixed together, one at a time.
FAVORITE POST WORKOUT HANGOUT?
Home... I do a lot of moving around throughout all the boroughs, but always feel better at home.
