Based on their outstanding 2024 performances, runners were nominated for awards that were presented at NYRR Youth Awards Night.* These runners’ incredible achievements were celebrated as we honored the best of the New York City youth running community.
Below are the lists of nominees and winners for age-group awards from the 2024 NYRR club points season, along with information about several special award categories.
The winners in each category are highlighted in gold.
*This was an invite-only event
Runner of the Year (Age-Group Award) Nominees (Scroll Horizontally to View All Nominees)
Ages 1-14
Men
Women
Non-Binary
Name
Club Team
Name
Club Team
Name
Club Team
Xavier Khanal
-
Abigail Cochran
-
-
-
Daniel Feng
Misty Mountain Runners
Penelope Schonfeld
-
-
-
-
-
Madeline Cheung
-
-
-
Ages 15-19
Men
Women
Non-Binary
Name
Club Team
Name
Club Team
Name
Club Team
Alistair Blee
-
Nicole Petrie
-
-
-
Adrian Matamoros
Queens Distance Runners
Samantha Kleinberg
Forest Park RR
-
-
Matt Califano
Staten Island AC
Ileane Barrera
Team For Kids
-
-
Alex Califano
Staten Island AC
Averi Schirmers
Upper West Side Run Club
-
-
Gavin Li
-
-
-
-
-
Presented based on the following criteria and eligibility rules:
Membership: Runners must be a member of NYRR for at least six months of the calendar year, including at the time of nomination.
Qualifying Races: Within the calendar year, runners must complete at least six fully scored NYRR races across a range of distances.
Age Group: A runner who changes age groups during the year will be considered for nomination in the age group in which they belonged for the majority of the year
Awards Committee: The Awards Committee is comprised of NYRR staff members and representatives from the local running community. The 43rd Annual NYRR Club Night awards committee members are Anil Bhambhani, Tom Kelley, Gordon Bakoulis, Ben Grundstein, Sofia Camacho, Erica Stanley-Dottin, Logan Yu, Roman Fedosieiev, James Gusmer, and Will Ngo.
Selection Process: For each age category, runners are ranked based on their best performances for the year. These rankings, through the top 20 in each age group, are reviewed by the awards committee with special consideration made for head-to-head competition and performances at a range of distances.
Special Award Categories
Rising New York Road Runners Runner of the Year
Nominees:
Aaron Ramnandan – Boy
Aidan Tillman – Boy
Thiago Rivas Rodriguez; Boy
Michelle Estrada – Girl
Ruth Neal – Girl
Livia Cagney; Girl
Presented based on the following criteria and eligibility rules:
Membership: Runners must be part of a Rising NYRR program site.
Qualifying Races: Within the calendar year, runners must participate in at least one of the events within the Rising NYRR program in-person event calendar.
Awards Committee: The awards committee is comprised of Rising NYRR program staff.
Selection Process: Our Rising NYRR program coaches submit written nominations for runners within their program. Then, Rising NYRR program staff review these nominations and select winners for each category. Rising NYRR program staff select a runner for each category, who is a great team player and has had an impact in their site’s program. Their coaches attest to their excellent character and ability to motivate others to run.
Rising New York Road Runners Wheelchair Racing Athlete of the Year
Nominees:
Theodore Schaffer
Karissa Manurung
Lucy Shannon
Presented based on the following criteria and eligibility rules:
Membership: Athletes must be a member of the Rising New York Road Runners Wheelchair Training Program for at least one full calendar year.
Qualifying Events: Within the calendar year, athletes must participate in at least half of the in-person Wheelchair Training Program regular season practices, and one Rising NYRR youth event with the Wheelchair Training Program.
Awards Committee: The awards committee is comprised of Rising New York Road Runners Wheelchair Training Program staff and coaches, including Arianna Moliere, Kelsey Helgesen, and Mary Rose Penner.
Selection Process: The Rising NYRR Wheelchair Racing Athlete of the Year, in addition to satisfying the qualifying events requirement, consistently embodies the qualities of a good teammate by making others feel included on the team, encouraging their teammates to do their best, demonstrating a willingness to try new things at practices and/or Rising NYRR events, and consistently giving their best effort.
Outstanding Rising New York Road Runners Youth Ambassador of the Year
Nominees:
Matthew Espinal – Boy
Kieran Skinner; Boy
Gabriel Ramos – Boy
Remi Wong; Girl
Maya Vasquez – Girl
Eva Huang – Girl
Presented based on the following criteria and eligibility rules:
Membership: Ambassadors must be an active participant in the program for the entire school year.
Qualifying Events: Rising NYRR youth races and other physical activities – improving quality of life through physical activities. Must have participated in at least 3 races.
Rising NYRR Youth Ambassador Events/Opportunities: Developing personal public speaking skills and confidence through various speaking opportunities. Must have participated in at least 3 opportunities.
Extra Curriculum or Community Service Activities: Using their time to serve others and their community. Building leadership skills.
Awards Committee: Comprised of the Community Impact Team and instructor of program.
Selection Process: The Rising NYRR Youth Ambassador Athlete of the Year, in addition to satisfying the qualifying events requirement will also demonstrate how they have used their voice and leadership skills to serve others and their community.
Rising New York Road Runners Honor Award
Winner
Phil Zodda
Presented based on the following criteria and eligibility rules:
This award is presented to individuals who have dedicated their lives to the sport of running by supporting NYRR’s youth programs and events and have inspired youth to develop a lasting positive impact on society.
