About Us
The Mexican Athletic Club of New York (CAMNY for the Spanish acronym) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting athleticism in all stages of life by organizing events that encourage physical activity and competitiveness.
CAMNY was founded in 1992 by Adam Lazaro (click here for bio) along with five local runners from the Brooklyn community. The founders of CAMNY shared a passion for athletics and a common heritage from Puebla, Mexico. Brooklyn's first Mexican residents date back to the 1940s and its' first immigrants came from Chinantla, Puebla, where CAMNY now holds the International Migrant's Run 10K. The annual Cinco de Mayo 5K run is held in celebration of the Battle that was won in Puebla, against the French army in 1862. Through their work, CAMNY members are committed to improving the Brooklyn Community in New York and giving back to the community they left behind in Mexico.
CAMNY quickly became one of the fastest growing clubs in the Tri-State area and officially recognized by the New York Road Runners Club (NYRRC) and the Metropolitan Athletic Congress (MAC). In 1994 CAMNY had grown to over 140 members spread across the Tri-State Area and participated in the New York City Marathon that year with over 50 members. By 1995, CAMNY had won the Open Men's Division A group, in the New York Road Runners Club, and boasted several of the city's best runners. CAMNY has established itself in the community through its' events and participation in athletic activities and continues to expand with the support of the community it serves.
Among promoting an active lifestyle, CAMNY seeks to provide athletic access activities to children and youth, who may otherwise be pressured into a negative lifestyle. Through its' activities, CAMNY also seeks to involve a diverse group of people, of all ages, to directly combat obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases that may result due to inactivity. CAMNY is planning to expand the International Migrants Run 10K throughout Mexico with the objective to revitalize activity and bring attention to migrant sending communities that are characterized by a desolate and almost abandoned demeanor. Similarly, CAMNY's goal to initiate the U.S. version of the International Migrant's Run 10K, throughout the United States, serves to foment an athletically active culture wherever the event is held.
Team CAMNY trains year round and encompasses runners of all ages and abilities. CAMNY is proud to provide continual progress monitoring and training at no cost for participating athletes. CAMNY supports the participation of these athletes in other competitive events, including the New York City Marathon.
The annual Cinco de Mayo 5K Run is now in its 13th year and draws over 300 runners and just as many spectators. Over the last 13 years it has hosted great performances with a sub-14 minute record and appearances by world class athletes such as Khalid Khannouchi. In 2010, The top two male and female received an all expense paid trip to compete in the Modesto Carrion Half-Marathon(Male) and 10K (Female) in Juncos, Puerto Rico. The top three male and female received accommodation expenses for three days to compete in the International Migrant's Run 10K.
The International Migrant's Run 10K was initiated in 2008 in Chinantla, Puebla, Mexico. The race has been recognized as one of the best athletic races in Mexico, providing 15,000 USD in giveaways. CAMNY will bring the first edition of the International Migrant's Run 10K to New York City in September, 2010 and will continue to expand editions of this race throughout the United States and Mexico. A peculiarity about this event is its' ability to bring world-class athletes to minute communities in Mexico that are easily overlooked and some would say, forgotten.
Youth and Children's Races
CAMNY includes youth and children in TeamCAMNY, as well as, its' 5K and 10K events. In collaboration with the Metropolitan Athletic Congress, CAMNY is working to further develop athletic activities for youth and children throughout New York City.
Recreational Events
Throughout the year, CAMNY organizes and supports recreational events that encourage healthy habits. In the past, CAMNY has supported volleyball tournaments, seasonal little league teams, and adult sports leagues in Brooklyn.