Runners train in Prospect Park despite NYC’s urge to limit outdoor activity

As we've been reporting, the air quality index in the city is at unhealthy levels and the city is now urging New Yorkers to limit outdoor activity. But many Brooklynites were still going out for runs at Prospect Park today. News 12's Alexa Spezial takes us there and has more. Runners hitting the pavement in full force at Prospect Park today. Oh, I'm almost done at 5k. Yeah, do the whole park and then jump rope. I'm gonna jump rope right now. I just made a lap. This is literally my start point. So I literally just made the lap. It's hard to tell the city is urging everyone to stay indoors. Smoke from wildfires in Canada is clouding the sky and high temperatures forcing the city to extend its heat emergency plan. But nothing stopped runners from getting their steps in and they say the air quality had no effect on them. Do you feel anything? No. Not really, not today. No, I didn't feel anything with the air quality, honestly. Each stride was more about maintaining their routine. Daily workout keeps the mind balanced, keeps the body fit and gives you good health overall. It's dedication and motivation as well too, you know, so it's all about doing what you need to do. It's part of my life. It's become part of running and exercising is part of my life and it's good for health. And it's not just runners making sure to get their workout in. On these trails you can see bikers and walkers but the mentality is all the same. Despite the heat and air quality alerts, everyone just trying to stay consistent on their fitness journey. It's tough to kind of push yourself to wake up in the morning and kind of go for a bike ride and obviously seeing the air quality and, you know, the temperature is, you know, hot and the pollen but if you're able to push yourself mentally and kind of get through that then it helps with the consistency and that kind of helps with other aspects of your life. A reminder the city's asking all New Yorkers to take precautions. In Prospect Park, Alexa Speciel, News 12 Brooklyn.