Meet Asphalt Green's 2026 NYC Half Marathon Team
Team Asphalt Green is running this year’s NYC Half Marathon in support of our mission to build community and transform lives through sports, fitness, and play for all.
Each runner’s campaign will help expand free and subsidized programs, scholarships, and more that are helping New Yorkers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities live healthier lives.
Read on to hear why these dedicated athletes are running with Team Asphalt Green!
Claire Tibbles
What motivated you to run the Half marathon?
The NYC Half Marathon is a fantastic event, full of great energy and people. I love the physical challenge and experiencing all that is great about NYC.
Why Are You Running with Team Asphalt Green?
Asphalt Green has an incredible mission and I am happy to join in this small way.
Why Are Sports and Fitness Important to You?
Sports build community and bring out the best in us.
Vaibhav Parmar
What motivated you to run the Half marathon?
NYC is one of the greatest cities in the world. And the NYC Half Marathon is an iconic running event that represents the spirit and the soul of the city. I am inspired to experience the energy and the excitement of the NYC Half Marathon.
Why Are You Running with Team Asphalt Green?
My two nephews have been swimming with Asphalt Green for several years. I see their dedication to the team and the support they get from the organization. I am excited to support Team Asphalt Green and its mission to promote active and healthy lifestyles.
Why Are Sports and Fitness Important to You?
Sports and fitness are an integral part of an overall healthy lifestyle. They are complementary to other healthy habits, such as diet and mental balance. I am a big advocate of incorporating fitness into my daily routine.
Flint Hobart
What motivated you to run the Half marathon?
I have always used races as a way to motivate myself and stay in shape. I have been building back from a significant soccer injury and thought this would be a good motivator.
Why Are You Running with Team Asphalt Green?
My introduction to Asphalt Green was through my kids’ swimming lessons. My daughter also played for AGSC for over a decade. I have also been a member using the pool and gym, and personal training with Nicole Lee.
Why ARe sports and fitness Important to you?
Health, longevity, and confidence!
Shefali Parmar
What motivated you to run the Half Marathon?
I am inspired to run the NYC Half Marathon by my daughter’s interest and commitment to running this half marathon. She motivates me to perform at my best.
Why Are You Running with Team Asphalt Green?
My nephews swim with Asphalt Green, and I am happy to support an organization that has been important and meaningful to them. I also support Asphalt Green’s mission of healthy lifestyles through fitness and activity.
Why Do You Love Running?
The end, the endorphin rush, the scenery, the company!
Tanya Amini
What motivated you to run the Half marathon?
The opportunity to support Asphalt Green. I ran my last marathon in 2008 and thought I was done! This is a great reason to do one more race.
Why Are You Running with Team Asphalt Green?
My son has been on the basketball team at Asphalt Green for years. It’s been a joy watching him engage with coaches and teammates. I’m excited to bring this opportunity to other kids.
Why Do You Love Running?
Running does not come naturally to me, but I do feel a deep sense of accomplishment after a race.
Megan Masius
What motivated you to run the Half marathon?
This will be my first running race in 3 years! I’m so excited to feel the energy of the city where I live for my return to racing.
Why Are You Running with Team Asphalt Green?
Having grown up training in pools at facilities like Asphalt Green, I want to support local schools and communities and give them the ability to practice sports and activities they can do for life (like running)!
Why Are Sports and Fitness Important to You?
Similar reasons to why I love running – they provide an outlet, a way of testing and exploring your limits, setting new challenges, and continuing to learn throughout life.
Nathan Rtishchev
What inspired you to run the NYC Half Marathon?
I love to push myself to my limits, and this will be my first half marathon! The NYC Half is such an amazing opportunity to see so many iconic NY spots from a completely different view. I can’t wait for the energy of race day!
Why are you running in support of Asphalt Green?
There is such a strong sense of community at the Major R. Owens Community Center, from the people I play soccer with every Sunday to the people I see in the fitness center throughout the week. Asphalt Green has been a huge part of my personal fitness journey this past year, and I hope that through raising money, I can further Asphalt Green’s mission of making fitness more accessible to a wider community.
Why Do You Love Running?
Running helps me push past my personal goals! Each day running challenges me to be a stronger, better version of myself, both physically and mentally. There is a wonderful sense of camaraderie in the running community, where the competition is always about pushing ourselves to our own individual limits.
Brandon Weiss
What motivated you to run the Half marathon?
I’ve lost 60 pounds over the past three years, and have been searching for my next fitness goal. Plus, raising money for a good cause makes this an easy decision.
Why Are You Running with Team Asphalt Green?
Asphalt Green is very community-oriented, and it’s nice to be a part of something greater than myself.
Why Are Sports and Fitness Important to You?
You learn a lot of life lessons through sports and fitness: hard work, determination, collaboration, and overcoming failure.
