New York, February 14, 2025 — Nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR) honored the best runners and teams in New York City at its 44th annual NYRR Club Night at the Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom Thursday night.

New York Road Runners’ Club Night has been a tradition since 1980, featuring an awards ceremony honoring the top-scoring teams in the NYRR club points series, the best age-group performers of the year, and special award winners. The awards committee is comprised of New York Road Runners staff and representatives from the local running community.“Our vision of building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running would not be possible without the engagement from the more than 300 local run clubs that we work with all year long,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners. “Our NYRR Club Night brings together this dynamic community of New Yorkers of all ages who love to run for an inspirational evening that celebrates their accomplishments, contributions, and support for New York Road Runners.”

Roberta Groner of Central Park Track Club Tracksmith, Harbert Okuti of Westchester TC, and Sofia Camacho Ferral of Brooklyn Track Club were named the Fred Lebow Runners of the Year, an award given to the top man, woman, and nonbinary athletes who consistently exhibit superior performance over a variety of races and distances in the  NYRR racing season, are NYRR members, and have completed at least six fully scored NYRR races during the previous year.

In 2024, Groner was the top women’s finisher in four of the six NYRR races she ran, including the Citizens Queens 10K and NYRR Staten Island Half, and placed first overall in the 45-49 age group for all six NYRR races she participated in. Groner also competed in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing 24th, and previously represented the U.S. at the 2019 World Athletics Championships, finishing sixth in the women’s marathon.

Okuti placed first in four of the six NYRR races he participated in, including the NYRR Joe Kleinerman 10K and NYRR Washington Heights Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K, and was a top five finisher in all six events.

Camacho Ferral won five of their eight NYRR races in the non-binary division, including the TCS New York City Marathon and the RBC Brooklyn Half, and finished in the top three in the other three, including the United Airlines NYC Half, NYRR Staten Island Half, and Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run 4M.

The following Special Awards were also presented at NYRR Club Night:

• Achilles Athlete of the Year: Susan Pomerantz 

Presented to an athlete with a disability whose dedication, perseverance, enthusiasm, and athletic success inspire all Achilles members to pursue their goals.

• Ted Corbitt Dedicated Athlete of the Year: Al Shabana

Presented to an NYRR member who ran the most miles at NYRR races in 2024.

• Joe Kleinerman Award: Sam Lafata

Presented in recognition of outstanding and inspiring community service.

• NYRR Strider of the Year: Cheryl Lee

Presented in recognition of dedication and achievement by a member of the NYRR Striders, a free walking, running and fitness program that offers physical activity for older adults looking to lead a more active life and meet people in their local community – all in a safe space.

• Team Spirit Award: Boogie Down Bronx Runners

Presented to the team whose members show their spirit by participating in NYRR weekly races, volunteering with NYRR during the year, and cheering for teammates in the TCS New York City Marathon.

The complete list of 2025 NYRR Club Night nominees and award winners can be found HERE.

New York Road Runners works with more than 300 local running clubs during the year through its quarterly Club Council meetings, and encourages competition and community give-back among clubs.

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About New York Road Runners (NYRR) 

A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running – serving nearly a half a million New Yorkers annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.