A new kind of race is hitting New York this summer. The Bandit Grand Prix, scheduled for Saturday, July 5, is set to take over the Brooklyn Storehouse with a full day of 5K heats, a nighttime 3K final, and a warehouse afterparty.
Organized by running brand Bandit and race director David Trimble, the event brings elements of underground racing culture into a more structured—though still unconventional—format.
What’s happening
Runners will compete in a series of timed 5K Open Heats throughout the afternoon. The fastest from those heats qualify for a 3K Super Final after dark.
The course loops through both the interior of the Storehouse—a sprawling industrial venue in East Williamsburg—and a surrounding parking lot. That means tight turns, fast laps, and plenty of spectator access along the route.
The night ends with podium awards and a warehouse afterparty on site.
How to enter
- Racer registration opens: Wednesday, May 7
- Spectator registration: Free
- Info and sign-up: banditrunning.com
Registered runners will receive:
- Guaranteed spot in a 5K heat
- Shot at the 3K final
- Food and drink
- Athlete-only warmup area access
- Welcome kit
- Discounted event merch
- Entry to the afterparty
Spectators get free access to the races and post-race celebration.
Who’s behind it
The race is being directed by David Trimble, best known for launching the Red Hook Criterium in 2008. The fixed-gear bike race started in a Brooklyn parking lot and eventually expanded to international stops in Milan, Barcelona, and London, drawing large crowds and sponsorship deals along the way.
By 2019, the series was paused indefinitely, with Trimble citing the high cost and logistical complexity of producing it at scale.
He later helped organize the Midnight Half races in partnership with Nike—at the peak of the 2010s run crew movement. Those events took cues from alley cat bike races, where speed and urban navigation mattered as much as pace.
The Bandit Grand Prix appears to take a more structured approach but keeps some of that informal, street-level energy.
About Bandit
Bandit Running, founded in 2020, is based in Brooklyn and began as an independent performance apparel brand. In recent years, the company has grown with the help of more than $14 million in private equity backing, expanding into race organization, content production, and community activations.
Earlier this year, Bandit released a co-branded running shoe with Asics, signaling a move into technical footwear. The company has hosted a mix of small-format races, pop-ups, and track events around New York.
The venue
The Brooklyn Storehouse is a large industrial space known for hosting concerts and cultural events. The Grand Prix course will move between indoor sections and an outdoor loop, with race officials saying spectators will be able to view most of the action without leaving the venue.
Still to come
Some event details are still TBA:
- Final prize structure
- Music lineup for the afterparty
- Racer registration fees
More information is expected ahead of the May 7 registration launch.
