Our Story

New York City’s independent running shop. The Brooklyn Running Company was founded in the fall of 2013. Locations in Park Slope and Williamsburg.

Our expert staff is knowledgeable in shoe fitting and gait analysis with a focus on injury prevention. Come visit with us and share your running stories. We’ll get you laced up properly and hitting the roads, trails and tracks in no time at all.

Meet the Team!

Iliana Amadiz

Iliana (“Ils”) was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She is an aspirational writer with dreams of “making it big” one day. When not busy writing, running or napping. She is mama to one budding tik- tok dancer and a math whiz/gamer.

Ils ran track all throughout high school specializing in the 400 and the 800. She’s had a love/hate relationship with the track ever since. When it was time for College she completely stopped running, and picked up cycling.

Running was reintroduced in 2010 after her first kid, and as more of a weight loss tool. However, it quickly transformed. Everyday, she would go out and challenge herself to go just a little farther, run a little faster, go a little longer. It became a game, and one that she absolutely loved. Always competing against herself. That was just over ten years ago, and really nothing has changed. Not only has running become a constant in her life, but it’s also become this metaphor for life. When the roads get tough, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you’ll get there.

Favorite place to run: Shirley Chisholm Park

Favorite running shoe: New Balance Rebel v2

Favorite food: Burgers

If I weren’t running I… would be hanging out with my kids, or my absolute favorite, Netflix in the background while I nap.

Izadora Joseph Augustin

Izadora (Izzy) is the newest addition to the Brooklyn Running Company team. Originally from Haiti, Izadora moved to New York in 2008. She is finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences at Brooklyn College and plans to attend graduate school to study public health with a concentration in nutrition.

Izadora began her college athletics career as a volleyball player but decided to try something new and took up running in 2018. She struggled to find motivation through the lonely winter miles so looked to training with friends for accountability and consistency. She now trains with the Black Roses and finds that running is a constant challenge that keeps her coming back for more.

When not running Izadora enjoys watching The Office, re-watching The Office, referencing The Office, and referencing music in real life situations.

Favorite Spot to Run: the streets

Current Favorite Shoe: Nike Vaporfly 4%

If I weren’t running, I would be: petting street cats or falling asleep.

Gyulnara Barnett

Matthew Byrne (Co-Founder)

Born and raised in Scranton, PA, Matt earned his footwear fitting stripes in the City of Brotherly Love: Philadelphia, PA.  Matt was a member of the Philadelphia Runner team and managed their West Philly location for three years before returning home to Scranton in 2010.  That Summer, Matt turned the key to the Scranton Running Company’s doors for the first time, Co-Founding that store with Matt Rosetti in August 2010.  Still leading the charge in Scranton, Matt oversees all aspects of the store’s operations.  However, with the opening of the Brooklyn Running Company, Matt has been wearing out his tires on Route 80 and spending time in his now second home: BROOKLYN.

Matt’s product knowledge and ability to outfit a customer in the appropriate running or walking shoe is unsurpassed. When not at the Scranton Running Company, Matt can be found running the streets and trails of Scranton, starting and ending in his favorite place in the world: Minooka, PA.

While at Scranton High School, Matt set the school record in the 3200 meters (it still stands) and earned three-time All-State honors.  At St. Joseph’s University, he won three individual Atlantic 10 Conference championships and was recently inducted into the University’s Track & Field Hall of Fame.  Upon graduating, Matt turned his attention to longer distances, winning Scranton’s Steamtown Marathon in 2004, 2006, and again in 2012.  He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon in 2004 and once again in 2008.  He has also represented the United States in the World Mountain Running Championships in 2008, 2009, and 2011.  With his competitive career winding down, Matt now spends more time on the other side of the starting line, wearing the race director hat and waving a starter’s pistol.  Matt spearheads organizational efforts for the Scranton Half Marathon as well as a variety of other community friendly running events in Northeastern, PA.  Matt currently resides in the East Mountain section of Scranton with his wife, Sommer, daughter, Vella and son Mike.

Kaitlyn DiBello

Kaitlyn was born and raised in Mahopac NY and is the eldest of three. She received her undergraduate from the College of Saint Rose where she got a BS in childhood/special education with a concentration in English. She received her Masters from Pace University in literacy. She is currently a third grade teacher at a public school in Long Island City in addition to a fitting pro at Brooklyn Running Co.

She ran her first race at a 5th grade cross country meet and immediately caught the running bug. By 8th grade she was a member of our varsity team for both cross country and track. In high school she specialized in the 800m, mile and steeplechase. She competed for the College of Saint Rose where she made the jump to a being a pure distance runner. In college she specialized in the 5k and 10k and was a part of the cross country team that went to nationals twice. She ran for Westchester track for three years and ran her first marathon in NYC in 2016. She had the privilege of being a head cross country and track coach for Mahopac as well. Kaitlyn currently runs for North Brooklyn Runners and now specializes in the half-marathon and marathon.

When she’s not busy running or teaching, she loves to watch and play other sports. Her favorite team is the New York Rangers. She also enjoy learning new languages and is fluent in sign language.

Favorite Running Shoe: Asics GT-2000

Chloe Egan

Tashi Glasgow

Born in Queens NY and raised in Long Island, Tashi has been in NYC since 2015. Tashi is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy alongside an Associate’s degree in Health Science at Queensborough Community College.

Tashi discovered a love for Track and Field and distance running after spontaneously joining Queensborough’s Track and Field team. She participated in both outdoor and indoor track as well as cross country during her time at Queensborough.

While competing for Queensborough, Tashi qualified for the NJCAA Outdoor National Championship 4×800 meter relay team that eventually placed in the top 10. During her 2019 indoor track season she received both a Valor award and was titled Most Valuable Player.

When not at the store, Tashi trains parkour around NYC and streams video games online.

Favorite Place to Run: Any Track!

Favorite Running Shoe: New Balance 890

Favorite Runner: Noah Lyles

If I weren’t running, I would be… Lifting weights or napping

Kevin Iboy

Raised in Astoria, NY, (northwest Queens), Kevin has been all over the running spectrum. His running career started in high school and continued into college at Marywood University, located in Scranton, PA. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and ran competed for the cross country team. While living in the Electric City, he was also present for the grand opening of the Scranton Running Company and its success. Kevin holds a a USATF Level 1 Coaching Certification and looks to further his education.

Kevin started coaching cross country as an internship at his alma mater, and continued coaching cross country, track & field locally at Keystone College, until making his move back to the Big Apple in 2015. There he started coaching at The City College of New York, and with young kids at a private school, which sparked his passion for physical education. He graduated with his masters degree in physical education in December 2017 from Hofstra University. Kevin comes from a family of runners, and continues the legacy. So it is safe to say his blood is still running. Currently, he returned to running, and it has brought him to scenic and new places on this planet with more yet to come.

If I weren’t coaching, running, or teaching, you can find him planning out his next trip abroad, or trying out new beers and bars or doing both simultaneously.

Favorite Place to Run: Astoria Park, has a little bit of everything for everyone.

Favorite Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus 37

Raquel Ramirez

Queens native Raquel Ramirez joined BRC in November 2020 through its internship program and is now a full-fledged Sales Associate! Raquel currently studies Psychology at Saint Joseph’s College and is on both the cross-country and tennis teams. She comes from a family of runners and is number five of seven kids.

Raquel started as a sprinter in high school and then worked her way up to mid- distance/distance. She prefers cross-country over track but her favorite event is the 800m. She plans on running all through her collegiate career and eventually completing a marathon.

When Raquel is not running or at BRC you will most likely find her baking for her family, playing the ukulele + singing or napping.

Favorite Place to run: Forest Park

Favorite running shoe: New Balance 860

Favorite food: Reese’s Cups (see picture)

Kate Reese

Kate is the grizzled veteran of Brooklyn Running Company, having gotten her start in the running specialty industry way back in 2008. Kate was an avid soccer player through college before hanging up her cleats and trying her hand (er, foot) at distance running. She ran mid-distance and distance at Haverford College and has her eye on Master’s level domination.

Kate has her US Track and Field Level 1 Certification and is working hard toward becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She loves nothing more than to talk about training and is always excited to chat about best practices!

Matthew Rosetti (Co-Founder)

Born in Scranton, PA, Matt has been a New York City resident since 1998. He’s logged more miles in the parks and on the roads and bridges of the NYC than he can even recall. Matt works in finance and helped bring the Brooklyn Running Company to life!

Matt graduated from Scranton High School and then from Lehigh University, where he was captain of both the track and cross-country teams. He is (at least his mom thinks so) an accomplished runner and dabbled in the competitive triathlon circuit. Matt also won the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge in New York’s Central Park, but it was so long ago that the internet no longer maintains proof that it actually happened.  He also finished second in Scranton’s Steamtown Marathon and has competed in the New York City, Boston and Cal International marathons. Curveball: Matt is a published author: The Worst of Sports (Random House, September 2007) and Lead Designer for RunBK Apparel.

When Matt’s not at the store he is usually with his young daughter, Juliet, pretending he actually knows how to coach soccer.

Justin Russell

Justin’s chronicle began as a maladroit, yet plucky child from Michigan. In order to harness his pure athleticism and maintain the appearance of a normal family, Justin’s parents put him in cross country at the ripe age of 11. Awkwardly striding through the woods in a pair of tiny shorts really identified with him, and a runner was born. His high school track and cross country career saw much acclaim within the pages of the local newspaper. Victories were often headlined alongside such breaking news as the time someone thought they saw Chris O’Donnell and the time someone was run over by a tractor. However, much like Olympic gymnasts, one can fly mighty high on their high school laurels, but this Icarus also got too close. And after a brief stint with Western Michigan University, they and Justin decided to part ways. It was totally a mutual break up and there is no reason to assume anything different.

He then worked as a handyman for subsidized housing and tried his hand at coaching for a nearby school. He enjoyed being close to the sport and, since he was only 19 years old, that the girls were soon to be of dating age. But after a couple of years the school’s athletic programs were no longer available and evictions are depressing, so Justin decided to move to the busting metropolis of Ann Arbor. Here he worked in a local running specialty store for almost a decade, all the while racing for various local track clubs.

However, the occasional ambition of Justin once again decided to drag itself out of bed. In a surprise move he enlisted in the Army. Here his propensity for racing became an advantageous trait, for once. His job as a counter-WMD specialist took him to all of the United States’ less desirable places, but also Korea. He dazzled the local populations with his gregarious nature and boyish charm (usually called immaturity).And after six years he was honorably discharged.

Justin now lives in Bushwick with his fiancé and attends St. Joseph College in Brooklyn, where he plans to once again spike-up for cross country season. He spends his time as an amateur cat whisperer to their two felines when he is not at school or working at the illustrious Brooklyn Running Company. He enjoys terrible puns and 90’s pop culture references. Justin still closely follows his beloved Michigan football and Detroit sporting teams, because quite like the Midnight Cowboy, this daisy-fresh New York resident remembers from where he came.

Favorite place to run: Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney, MI

Favorite Race: 1984 Olympic 800m Final

Favorite Runner: Haile Gebrselassie

Favorite Food: Sandwiches (Specifics are unnecessary)

Favorite Current Running Shoe: Nike Structure

Daniele Sobrini    

Daniele was born in Rome, Italy but since he was 12 years old, he wanted to live in New York. His first encounter with the Manhattan skyline was in the month of August of a summer vacation with his parents, where the teenage boy was looking out of a smelly big taxi’s window to take it all in: “I’m so going to live here one day,” was his first and ultimate thought about this city.

13 years later this city became his home.

After graduating from the American University of Rome and making his first steps into the business world between newsrooms and movie productions, on his birthday he flew to the Big Apple to work with the Tribeca Film Festival. While organizing events and red carpets during the day, at night he would train for his dream race, the New York City Marathon. As his job would take him back and forth over the Atlantic Ocean, his tempo runs would alternate between the reservoir in Central Park and the Circus Maximus in Rome, or to say better, a nearby tiny park that marathon runners informally call “biscotto.”

The first time he saw the New York City Marathon, Daniele was 13 years old, standing on 1st avenue, right outside the Queensboro bridge, where his dad and his TV crew were filming the waves of runners pouring out of the bridge for a documentary they were shooting for an Italian TV channel.

14 years and 15 miles later, Daniele found himself crossing that same bridge while running the New York City Marathon. As he stepped onto those final bridge grates, the silence, up until that moment only broken by his fellow runners’ steps and breathing, finally disappeared into the growing roaring of the crowd, cheering outside on 1st avenue. He took a slight left turn downhill to exit the bridge and a swift look on the right, finding himself smiling, as he recognized the very same spot where 14 years earlier he was standing in awe with his dad. That moment felt like home.

Since then, any chance he gets, after work, on the weekend, or on vacation, he always tries to go for a run, so that he can go back “home”: Rome, Philadelphia, New York and soon Berlin are the marathons he ran-Some more than once. He also ran a few half marathons and ultramarathons are definitely in his bucket list.

Favorite Place to Run:
Brooklyn Bridge Park and Prospect Park (or Villa Ada, when in Rome) In other words, by the water or among the woods, as long as there’s a horizon. No gym, please, too confined.

Favorite Running Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Speed or Hoka Clifton.

If I weren’t running, I would be…a political junkie, reading about politics and the media, constantly keeping the news in the background (TV, podcast, or the radio)

Mary Thompson

Joe Tucker

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Joe has been in NYC since 2011. Originally moving to the city directly after undergrad to pursue a Masters degree in Percussion Performance from Queens College, Joe only lasted a year in Queens before permanently relocating to Brooklyn.

A late comer to long distance running, Joe rediscovered love of the sport in 2017 after more than a decade hiatus (he ran track in high school) thanks in large part to his marathon running roommate, Sarah, and a then-recently kicked nicotine habit. He ran his first post-high school race in May 2018, running the Popular Brooklyn Half marathon.

Since rediscovering the sport, Joe has run a handful of half marathons and marathons, as well as other, more reasonably distanced races around the NYC area. As of April 2019 he OFFICIALLY qualified for the Boston Marathon, and really needs to find a new running goal now that he has achieved that particular dream.

When not at the store, Joe works as an accompanist for dance classes and a freelance musician around the city

Favorite Place to Run: Prospect Park loop! Always down for a new route, though

Favorite Running Shoe: Nike Zoom Fly 3 or Brooks Ravenna 10

Favorite Runner: Scott Jurek (vegan athletes unite!)

If I weren’t running, I would be… Finding a new Froze spot or online shopping for cute running apparel