The inaugural Bandit Grand Prix will take place this Saturday, July 5, at New York Citys (NYC) Brooklyn Storehouse. The well-known concert venue is being converted into a festival-style event space, which will serve as part of the 1km indoor/outdoor multi-lap, crit-style race course. The idea is to blend a traditional road racing event with one of NYCs unsanctioned, underground races.

　　Runners can choose between an individual 5K, a team 5K, or a relay race. Winners will win cold, hard cash from the events $12,000 prize purse. Afterward, the races will give way to an afterparty and live DJ set by Washed Out.

　　We saw a gap between the structured world of traditional road racing and the raw energy of underground running events, Joe Andrews, vice president of marketing at Bandit Running, told GearJunkie.

　　The Grand Prix was born from a desire to merge those two worlds — to build something fast, loud, and competitive, but also creative and community-driven.

　　Bandit Running hosts the event, which is expected to attract 1,400 runners and hundreds of spectators. If you want to run, theres still time to sign up. Visit Bandits Register Now page for your chance to compete in the first-ever Bandit GrandPrix.

　　It’s a new take on what racing can feel like, inspired by everything that makes running in NYC so special, Andrews said.

　　The Bandit Grand Prix: Race Formats Cash Prizes

　　Inside the Brooklyn Storehouse; (photo/Bandit Running) There are three different ways for racers to win at the Bandit Grand Prix. The first is in an individual race format that starts with a series of 5K open races. The top 70 finishers in each 5K will advance to a 3K final race — places 36-70 will compete in a B Final, and places 1-35 will compete in a Super Final.

　　The top five winners will get cash prizes, with the number one finisher being awarded $1,500.

　　Runners can also win money in the team competition. According to the Bandit Grand Prix website, teams will be scored cross-country style with a little twist.

　　Team sizes are unlimited, and each team will have six total scorers (but there is a maximum of three per gender).

　　Play Scoring for the team races counts across both the Super Finals and B Finals. Counterintuitively, the lower the score, the better your position.

　　In the Super Finals, athletes will get a point correlating to their finish position (i.e., 1st place = 1 point, 10th place = 10 points). In the B Finals, athletes get 1+100 points correlating to their finish position (i.e., 1st place = 101 points, 10th place = 110 points).

　　The top three teams will receive $2,000, $1,400, and $1,000, respectively, for first, second, and third place.

　　Finally, runners can also participate in a relay if they dont want to run the whole 5K. Teams of four can enter for $80.

　　Each team member will run one lap of the 1K course for a total distance of 4K, then hand off batons in a designated exchange zone. The top three teams will win four gift cards each for $100, $75, and $50, respectively, for first, second, and third.

　　Festival Vibes

　　(Photo/Screenshot via Bandit) The races are just one element of the Bandit Grand Prix. According to the organizers, the event itself will have lots to do for nonrunners and spectators as well. Andrews said racing happens up front, and food and drink in the back. Live music will take place throughout the event.

　　Best of all, admission is free.

　　The Brooklyn Storehouse will be fully activated, Andrews said. Well have DJ sets from Washed Out, multiple food and beverage partners, an F1-inspired fan zone, and brand activations from our sponsors, including Asics, AG1 Cadence, Smartwater, and more. It’s meant to feel like a day-long celebration with nonstop energy.

　　Bandit will also release a Grand Prix merch capsule. It will include the brands shirts, socks, and hats — all only available at the race.

　　Following the event, Washed Out will play a full DJ set for the events afterparty.

　　Despite this being the events first year, Andrews said the hype and support from the running community have been great. Bandit hopes this event can become a tentpole of the NYC racing calendar.

　　This isn’t just a race — it’s a new way to experience running in NYC, Andrews said. Whether youre racing, watching, or just showing up to be part of it, the Bandit Grand Prix is built to bring people together.

　　For more details, check out the Bandit Grand Prix website.

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