Meet your chapter leaders
Jess Cummings
Jess (she/her) is a New York City based educator, community builder, and avid hobbyist. After many years of hating running and thinking it could never be for her, she has found so much strength and joy in committing to running and doing so with such an amazing community. Her other hobbies include cycling, singing, theater, baking, and reading. In addition to her many hobbies, Jess works in education and youth development, working with public school students and families on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She is passionate about ensuring that all students have access to opportunities beyond the academic school day. She even runs her school's running club!
My favorite part about the BALG is how genuinely supportive everyone is! It is so rare to find a community, especially a community of runners, where everyone puts their ego aside and shows up for their fellow teammates so genuinely and wholeheartedly.
While I was involved in just about every extracurricular and competitive sport growing up, my love of running really took flight when I moved to New York City in 2014. Running became a way for me to explore my new city, soak up the scenery, and plant my roots. My relationship with running was not always a healthy one, but as I did the work to develop a healthy relationship with it, running helped me heal and discover more about myself than I imagined possible; it allowed me to feel and be free as I uncovered my strength, discovered my peace, and became empowered in my body. Most importantly, running has allowed me the opportunity to connect with myself, my body, this incredible community, and this beautiful city. Bringing the BALG to life in NYC has been such an incredible opportunity, and I'm excited to continue to build this uplifting community with my partner in crime, Kelly!
Favorite Part about BALG
being a part of a community that shows up for one another far beyond the miles we run—we support one another in all areas of our lives.