Trainer Brings Road Experience to the Y

Bryan McDonnell has probably run the round-trip distance from Wyckoff to Orlando, Florida, over the past year while training for the New York City Marathon. When the race was canceled due to the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, he was determined not to let the 2300 training miles he logged throughout the year go to waste, so he registered for the Harrisburg Marathon in Harrisburg, Pa., on Nov. 11.

An accomplished marathoner, and triathlete, the 27 year old has participated in five marathons and over 50 triathlons since the age of 18 and has also completed the Ironman Canada in 10:32.  Although the scenery and fan base in Harrisburg was quite different than he would have found in New York, McDonnell managed to run a personal best of 2:46, averaging a 6:22/mile over the 26.2 course.  He placed 16th overall in a field of over 1500 athletes.  McDonnell also recently placed first in the 2011 Reindeer Run 5k in Franklin Lakes.  This past summer, he placed first in the Wyckoff Y’s Lap the Lake 2.4 mile swim race at Indian Trail Club, and placed third in the Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Triathlon (logging the fastest swim and run times of the race.)

McDonnell also happens to be a scratch golfer, achieving all county status during his high school golf career in his hometown of Sayreville.

Bryan is just one of the highly qualified individuals on staff at the Wyckoff Family YMCA. As an elite multi-sport athlete, Bryan’s expertise, experience and enthusiasm motivates hundreds of Y members — from beginning runners to seasoned Ironman triathletes — through swim and biking classes, track workouts, training and nutritional workshops and Triathlon Club meetings, culminating in the accomplishments of dozens of Y members as they achieve their goals of 5ks, half/full/extreme marathons, triathlons, trail races, and Ironman competitions.

The Wyckoff Y has the resources and talent to help all members achieve their fitness goals. Call the Y at 201-891-2081 or log on to www.wyckoffymca.org to learn more today.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Joseph M. Gerace at Joseph.Gerace@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.