New York, Feb. 13, 2026 – New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races, including the TCS New York City Marathon, and providing free year-round youth and community programs, honored the most accomplished athletes and teams in New York City at its 45th annual NYRR Club Night at the Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom Thursday night.

New York Road Runners’ Club Night has been a tradition celebrated since 1980, featuring an awards ceremony honoring the top-scoring teams in the NYRR club points series—a program in which local running clubs accumulate points throughout the year at various New York Road Runners races—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.

“Club Night is one of the best nights of the year as we celebrate the milestones of our local running community who exemplify our mission and vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “These athletes have consistently participated in New York Road Runners races throughout the year and inspire New Yorkers of all ages, bodies, and backgrounds to lace up and believe in every step.”

Felicia Pasadyn of 212 Athletic – Saucony, Matthew Leach of Brooklyn Track Club, Jacob Caswell of Front Runners New York, and Elijah Taylor were named the Fred Lebow Runners of the Year. This award is given to the top man, woman, and nonbinary athletes who consistently exhibit superior performance over a variety of races and distances during the New York Road Runners racing season, are NYRR members, and have completed at least six fully scored NYRR races in the previous year. This year, for the first time, there was a tie in the nonbinary division.

Pasadyn was the top finisher in five out of eight NYRR races she ran in 2025, including the RBC Brooklyn Half, NYRR Ted Corbitt 15K, and New Balance Bronx 10 Mile, and she placed first in the 20–24 age group in five races. The 23-year-old athlete, who trains while attending the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, recently completed the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon in 2:35:17, qualifying for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She will also be part of the professional athlete field at the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half taking place Sunday, March 15.

In 2025, Leach placed first in the 30–34 age group in four races, including the NYRR Ted Corbitt 15K, NYRR Grete’s Great Gallop 10K, and NYRR Washington Heights Salsa, Bules, and Shamrocks 5K. Last year, the England native finished 19th in his TCS New York City Marathon debut in 2:15:48 as the second British athlete. Leach is also a Guinness World Record holder, owning the fastest combined half marathon time by a father and son duo. The men achieved the mark at the 2020 Houston Half Marathon, running a combined 2:14:07.

In the nonbinary category, Taylor, who placed first in the 30–34 age group in six consecutive races, including the United Airlines NYC Half, NYRR Fred Lebow Half Marathon, and NYRR Manhattan 10K, tied with Caswell. Caswell was the top nonbinary finisher and placed first in the 25–29 age group in five races, including the TCS New York City Marathon, RBC Brooklyn Half, and the New Balance Bronx 10 Mile. The last time two athletes tied for the Fred Lebow Runner of the Year was 1983 in the men’s division, and 1990 in the women’s.

“It’s pure gratitude. It feels like, ‘What did I do to gain such a phenomenal community like NYRR?’” said Pasadyn. “No matter where I move, what phase of life I’m in, and even if I don’t run anymore—I’ll always remember NYRR and how grateful they made me feel.”

“I’ve been running for a long time—that’s what brought me to New York City—and I felt like something was just a bit off,” said Caswell. “I really never felt I like I was myself or part of the correct category, so being able to run in the nonbinary category and all NYRR races—from the LGBTQ+ Pride Run to the TCS New York City Marathon—it finally feels like running is complete.”

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

• Achilles Athlete of the Year: Bill Reilly, a.k.a. Backwards Bill

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

Reilly has completed more than 50 marathons, including four TCS New York City Marathons. He has also been a pillar of the Achilles NYC Chapter for over 30 years.

• Ted Corbitt Dedicated Athlete of the Year: Lisa Swan

Presented to an NYRR member who ran the most miles at NYRR races in 2025.

Swan—a member of 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Team Inspire—completed 34 races, including the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half. She ran a total of 208.4 in-person miles and 52.7 virtual miles across NYRR races.

• Joe Kleinerman Award: Rob Dalto

Presented in recognition of outstanding and inspiring community service.

Dalto founded the Bronx Burners Run Club, aiming to make running accessible to the Bronx community. He helps runners of all backgrounds and paces build community through accessibility, unity, and empowerment.

• NYRR Strider of the Year: Mildred Baker

Presented in recognition of dedication and achievement by a member of 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

In less than two years since joining NYRR Striders, Baker, age 80, has completed 24 races, including the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half, her first-ever half marathon. This year, she is training alongside her coaches to run her first marathon at the TCS New York City Marathon.

• Team Spirit Award: CunningHammers

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

CunningHammers, founded in 2017 by a group of NYRR Open Run participants in Cunningham Park, Queens, had 91 volunteers across various New York Road Runners events.

The complete list of 2026 NYRR Club Night nominees and award winners can be found HERE.

New York Road Runners works with more than 350 local running clubs during the year through its quarterly Club Council meetings, and encourages competition and community give-back among clubs.

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 more than half a million people 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.