Hector Espinal

In this episode of #NYCLocalLegends, Hector Espinal Jr., co-founder of the running club We Run Uptown (@WRUcrew ), takes us around his #WashingtonHeights neighborhood.⁠ ⁠ As the uptown native explores the area and connects with other locals, he shows off the green spaces and stunning views from J. Hood Park and reveals why bodegas are the cornerstones of any predominantly Latino neighborhood in NYC. Espinal visits family-owned restaurant @MaleconRestaurant , which preserves Dominican culture and culinary traditions, and demonstrates how WRU Crew’s headquarters, @LocksmithBar , is more than your average bar.⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Find more original stories at NYCgo.com/ExploreNYC (link in bio), and follow us/turn on notifications as we drop additional episodes from across the five boroughs of New York City.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #ExploreNYC #NYCgoWashingtonHeights #WeRunUptown #SavorNYC #NYCgo #NewYorkCity #ILoveNY

And the Winner is……. In our household, we never take any accolades for granted—we celebrate every win, big or small. To be honest, I didn’t even know what an Emmy was until I found out my “Local Legends” piece had been nominated. For the past 11 years, I’ve poured everything I have into my community: sweat, blood, tears, and countless hours to help uplift my neighborhood through movement and access. Anyone who knows me knows that I wear Uptown like a badge of honor. I am the product of two hard-working immigrant parents who sacrificed everything so I could have a shot at a better life and be able to seize opportunities like this. As I sat in a packed room yesterday, I scanned the crowd, searching for others who looked like me. I didn’t see many—and that’s when imposter syndrome started to creep in. But I had to remind myself of WHO THE FUCK I AM. I’ve worked for every single thing I’ve achieved, and not only am I deserving, but I BELONG here. A huge thank you to @kingronthedon , @jaredrosenthal , @kittyxhu and @nyctourism for giving me the chance to tell my story in the most authentic way, sharing a piece of UPTOWN with the world. And to Rondel, thank you for pushing for us behind closed doors, for making it to the top, and sending the elevator back down for the rest of us. I dedicate this award to my parents, who worked tirelessly to give my sister and me endless opportunities. To @crisaly.m and our boys—you are my greatest support. Babe, like we always say: when one of us wins, we both win. To UPTOWN, thank you for making me who I am, for teaching me resilience, and for showing me that every time I get knocked down, I need to stand back up and keep fighting. And finally, to ME, for proving everyone who’s ever doubted me wrong. Now… let’s go for that EGOT because the sky is the limit.

2023 RUNNERS OF THE YEAR In July during #wruweek, I received an email inquiring about my interest in being featured on @runnersworldmag . Initially, I assumed it was for Runner’s World.Com. After enthusiastically agreeing, I engaged in a phone interview, responding to various questions. I connected @flicksnkicks and @emiliambenton via email, allowing them to share their preferred photos for the article. Last week, while prepping for the MILE-21 CHEER-ZONE, I noticed two missed calls in a row from @adamfrancique . When I returned his call, he hits me with, "Congrats on the cover, my brother." Confused, I asked for clarification, and he urged me to check my text messages. After pulling over on the highway, I look at my phone and was stunned to find myself on the cover of Runner's World Magazine, rocking AF1s, a Yankee Fitted, Prada shades, and my @Wrucrew varsity jacket striking the "jail pose." Overwhelmed, I shed tears of joy for about five minutes, still struggling to grasp the reality. All I could think was “You’re really on this cover being your most authentic self”. Before spreading the incredible news, I took a moment to reflect on the past decade, acknowledging the invaluable support of my community in realizing my dreams. It truly takes a village, and I owe my journey to their unwavering encouragement. As I basked in this surreal moment, I felt compelled to reintroduce myself. I am Hector Espinal, affectionately known as HEC. A father of two, with a devoted partner by my side, I proudly hold the title of a 4x Marathoner and Co-founder of We Run Uptown. Today, I humbly accept the honor of being recognized as one of the 2023 @runnersworldmag RUNNERS OF THE YEAR!!! If you’ve EVER felt like you “don’t belong” somewhere I encourage take up as much space as possible. That’s how I felt when I first laced my running shoes in 2013. I no longer feel that way today. #RUNNEROFTHEYEAR #WERUNUPTOWN #WRUCREW #RUNNERSWORLDMAG #RUNNERSWORLD

My honest thoughts about Boston….. Last year, I made the intentional decision to skip the Boston Marathon weekend. I wasn’t ready to be back, not after everything that unfolded in 2024. And now here I am again, knowing this trip was coming, unsure of what I’d feel the moment I touched down. Would it bring something back up? Would I feel FOMO after turning down a bib two years in a row? I usually look forward to World Marathon Major weekends. They’re bigger than the race. It’s where friendships from all over the world come together. It’s where the love for the sport and the culture around it feels the strongest. But if I’m being honest, Boston has always felt different for me. It’s the only Major where I’ve never truly felt like I belonged. Everywhere you go, there’s this underlying reminder that if you didn’t qualify, you don’t belong. That feeling… it lingers in a way I’ve never experienced at any other Major. And yet, there was a moment that made me smile. Seeing the “Finish line closes at 5:30PM” sign, a time that could’ve helped me in 2024, reminded me that what I went through wasn’t in vain. If anything, it showed me that my story still has purpose, even here. Still, none of that takes away from what this weekend represents. I’m proud of every single person who lined up, finished and got closer to or achieved their 6-Star, whether they qualified, ran for a charity, or got there through a sponsor. Because the truth is, belonging isn’t something a qualifying time can define. It’s something you build, something you carry, something you share. At the end of the day, A marathoner is a marathoner. It’s not about how you got to the start line. It’s about showing up, seeing it through, and crossing that finish line. (If you feel differently, the last slide on my carousel is for you.Respectfully) Photos 1,4,5,12,13,19 by @notafraid2fail

No long diary entry today. Just a quiet pat on my back for getting back to it. 3 runs + 3 gym sessions this week. The most I’ve moved in a long time. My body is sore like really sore, but my heart feels right. Last week I was reminded that as a leader, you have to practice what you preach… and that stuck with me. Photo cred: 1-3 @isojordin

MORE TRACK ANTICS Had to show my son I can still get busy at this weight and age. He trashed talked the whole walk to the track. “I will smoke you dada, try me”. Then He challenged me to a sprint during tonight warm-up drills. He still got dinner and the ice cream. But I had to make him work for it.

For those who know me, you already know… if it’s hard, I’m trolling through it. That’s how I get through life. Most of the time I’m either making a joke or trying to get those around me to partake in the foolery. Here’s a perfect example. Yesterday during warm-ups with @circa95 , we’re hitting karaoke drills and I keep hearing this clapping sound. I’m looking around like who’s hyping us up this early??

Ready for our close-up. A couple months ago, Little Hector asked for something simple… a family photoshoot at a portrait studio. Week after week, life did what life does and we kept pushing it back. But this past weekend, we finally made it happen. @crisaly.m took the lead on styling and didn’t miss. The vision was keep it New York… timeless, clean, intentional but still letting each of our personalities show up fully. Effortless, but sharp. We spent our Saturday in El Barrio and pulled up to the iconic Numero Uno Photo Studio. The whole shoot was inspired by Step Brothers… a little humor, a little nostalgia, a lot of personality. The kind of photos you laugh at now but hold onto forever. While we waited for our proofs, we did what what we do best… kept it moving. We hit up Taco Mix for some Al Pastor tacos, then made our way to Patsy’s on First Ave for a pie. On the walk back, people kept stopping us, showing love, complimenting our matching fits or Crisaly’s hair. (Shout out to our in-house stylist.) But one moment stood out… A cab driver literally stopped traffic, rolled his window down, and said: “Dios bendiga a tu mujer y tu familia. Tengo celos.” “God bless your wife and your family. I’m jealous.” And in that moment, it hit me… We spend so much time chasing what’s next that we forget to honor what’s right in front of us. The life we prayed for… the family we built… the moments our kids will one day look back on and hold close. We almost let time and “being busy” rob us of that. Sometimes the smallest asks aren’t small at all, they’re the ones that end up meaning the most.

For a long time, I did everything I could not to be a product of my environment. Toned it down. Smoothed the edges. Played the part I thought people would accept. But somewhere along the way, that shifted. I stopped filtering myself. Stopped shrinking. Started showing up exactly as I am… whether it made people uncomfortable or not. And that’s when everything changed. Because it turns out… that’s who people connect with. That’s who they remember. I think about High School Hec a lot. Lost. Searching. Trying to figure it out while dreaming about a life that felt so far away. I wish he could see this version. I think about the decade in the hospital too… showing up every day, knowing I was meant for more, quietly plotting my way out. And now? I’m living the life we once dreamed about moving, with purpose, in the right rooms, surrounded by people who inspire and elevate me every day. There’s a line from Drake that stays with me: “You know it’s real when you are who you think you are.” That’s what this feels like. Not forced. Not performative. Just alignment. Just reflecting on where I am at 35 and how lucky I am to be surrounded by greatness and constant inspiration. Photocred: @isojordin : 1 @jordankeyser :10

Having a partner who can be everything you need, when you need it, is something I’ll never take for granted. She’s an incredible mom. My best friend. My confidante. My nail tech. My stylist. My voice of reason. Sometimes the only adult in the room. Lol And above all… my better half. Lately, we’ve been saying yes to every invite, every moment, every opportunity to step out and really show up. Turning the chaos of life into date nights. Turning time into memories. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about putting that shit on… it’s about who you get to do it with. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything So keep those invites coming. Photo by @thecamp0ut

Duality is everything. It’s the balance. The contrast. The ability to exist in two spaces at once and feel fully yourself in both. It’s running a 5K at 8:30AM… then shaking your ass from 9 to 2 fueled by a chopped cheese and tequila sunrises. It’s being sharp and composed on Zoom, speaking the language of the boardroom… then stepping outside and tapping right back into the block like you never left. It’s understanding that none of these versions of you are contradictions. They’re all extensions. As you get older, you start to embrace that more. You stop trying to compartmentalize who you are and instead allow it all to coexist. You honor the foundation that built you while staying open to the experiences that continue to shape you. That’s where the growth really lives… in that in-between. This past weekend felt like a reminder of that. It wasn’t anything new, but it was something I hadn’t felt in a while. Being in a space where runners were the majority. Where the same people who showed up for the miles showed up for the moment after. Where sweat didn’t end at the finish line, it just turned into energy on the dance floor. Endorphins carried over. Community carried over. That feeling… that blend of performance and lifestyle… it’s been missing. Shout out to @the9ambanger and @wrucrew for bringing that back. Let’s not let that be a one-off. It’s time to fill that void!! Photos by @sonovisualss

My first time I was in L.A. for the L.A. Marathon was in 2019. I was there to host an after party, and during that trip I learned a very valuable lesson: you can’t just show up to a new city and activate without first checking in and getting the right co-sign. Coming back seven years later and seeing how much the L.A. running community has grown and blossomed was beautiful. Although I was in town to celebrate @koreatownrunclub 10-year anniversary, I made sure to make my rounds and connect with all the homies along the way. This trip was filled with a lot of good food, great conversations, and even better company. Running has become so much more than a sport to me. It’s been a dot connector, a portal to the world. It’s allowed me to build meaningful relationships with people who were once strangers and are now confidantes. Being able to share space with the OGs of this movement, earn their respect, and now find ways to pay it forward is something I’ll never take for granted. Photocred: @j.m0ck : 1,3,6,14,16 @williamlu115 :4,11,12 @notafraid2fail :8