From November 24th
to December 2nd, 2025
15% OFF in all our experiences
Discount Code: BLACKWEEK15
*Promotion limited to 5 discount codes per experience and
cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
“Times have changed tremendously in the Bronx, the Bronx is now… you know before, you got to the Bronx and if people were running, obviously they were running not for a good reason, now you look anywhere around the Bronx, and people are running everywhere, right? People are so comfortable in their own skin to get up and go outside and run in the Bronx now, right? You know, Boogie Down Bronx Runners, it’s identity created something that kinda like, pushed the needle a little bit, you know? on the positive side of changing the stereotypes of what people expect out of the Bronx.”
In this episode of Beyond Running, host Mau Diaz sits down with Lenin Grullon, co-founder of Boogie Down Bronx Runners, to talk about almost ten years of building one of NYC’s most respected community running crews.
They talk about what it actually took to build a running club from scratch, how Lenin’s “community first” philosophy shaped every decision along the way, and the challenges of staying true to that mission as the club grew from a handful of runners into a full-blown family. Lenin opens up about the early mornings, the doubts, and the moments that made it clear this was bigger than just running.
The conversation also crosses borders. Mau and Lenin dig into the story of when Lenin brought Boogie Down Bronx Runners to Oaxaca to experience Aire Libre in person, and what it meant for two running communities from completely different worlds to connect through the same love of the sport. It’s a reminder that running has a way of building bridges, no matter where you’re from.
Suscribe on:
Lenin “Lenny” Grullon is a Bronx-based educator, community leader, running coach, and advocate who uses movement to advance health, inclusion, and community empowerment. He is co-founder of Boogie Down Bronx Runners, a grassroots organization established in 2017 to foster wellness, connection, and Bronx pride through running.
Lenny serves as a Physical Education teacher at DREAM Charter School, where he focuses on physical wellness, youth development, mentorship, and building confidence in young people. He has also served as a Nike NYC Running Coach, bringing community-centered leadership to running experiences across New York City.
His commitment to inclusive athletics extends to Fast Feet NYC, where he serves as a Board Member and has worked as a Lead Coach in its Adaptive Running Program, supporting young athletes with disabilities. Across education, athletics, and community service, Lenny is dedicated to strengthening communities and creating meaningful opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds.
You can connect with Lenin on instagram @whynotrun_len
OUR HOST: MAU DÍAZ
CEO & Co-Founder of Aire Libre.
Mau Díaz, born in Mexico City in 1988, embarked on a journey of academic and adventurous pursuits. He studied Marketing at the Monterrey Institute of Technology, delving into International Marketing at the Hochschule Pforzheim in Germany, and exploring Chinese Foreign Policy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His professional trajectory took off with a focus on Growth Hacking, where he honed his skills in team building and assisting startups in their growth strategies. Notable stints as a growth hacker at Propiedades.com and later at LECO shaped his early career.
In December 2015, Mau embarked on a non-stop 90km run across the Sonora Desert with two friends, laying the foundation for his venture, Aire Libre. He identifies as an adventurer who embraces running as a means to satiate his curiosity. His accomplishments include solo and unassisted traversing of the Sierra Sur de Oaxaca, covering 127km from December 28 to 30, 2017. In 2018, he clinched a top 5 spot in an 80km ultramarathon in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. May 2022 witnessed his relentless 140km run from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Cortez, spanning the Baja California peninsula. These exploits merely scratch the surface of his vast adventures.
Mau’s work at Aire Libre has not gone unnoticed, garnering recognition from esteemed international media outlets such as The Financial Times, Monocle, Men’s Journal, Forbes, Travesías, El Universal, Chilango, Sopitas.com, and various others.
You can find Mau on instagram as @maudac
From November 24th
to December 2nd, 2025
15% OFF in all our experiences
Discount Code: BLACKWEEK15
*Promotion limited to 5 discount codes per experience and
cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
From November 25
to December 2nd, 2024
15% OFF in all our experiences
Discount Code: ALBLACKWEEK
*Promotion limited to 5 discount codes per experience and
cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
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