Meet Asphalt Green’s 2025 NYC Marathon Team
Team Asphalt Green is running this year’s NYC Marathon for a great cause– supporting our mission to build community and transform lives through sports, fitness, and play for all.
Each runner’s fundraising campaign will help expand our impact across New York City, bringing our free sports and swimming programs and scholarships to more New Yorkers.
Before the big race, we sat down with our runners to hear why they are taking part in this year’s half marathon with Team AG!
Peyton Werner
What inspired you to run the marathon?
Having just finished one athletic career, I felt a sense of loss transitioning from the intense striving and clear goals associated with being part of a team to having nothing. The marathon seemed like a good transition goal, helping me move from D1 athletics to learning how to train myself and on behalf of my new team, Asphalt Green.
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
First, I work for Asphalt Green, but more importantly, I truly believe in their mission of transforming lives and building community through sports, fitness, and play for all. Athletics has given me incredible opportunities in life, opportunities I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise. Even more importantly, it has provided me with a community I can rely on during both my toughest and happiest moments.
Where is your favorite place to run?
My favorite place to run is in Washington, D.C. because running through the National Mall and along the Potomac River is unbeatable. The wide, scenic paths, historic landmarks, and open views create an inspiring atmosphere that is hard to match. It’s an extra special treat when the cherry blossoms are in bloom—their sweet fragrance fills the air, making the run feel almost magical.
Dylan Porges
What inspired you to run the marathon?
My roommate Peyton inspired me to do it, who will be running with me.
What’s your athletic background?
I swam with AGUA growing up and eventually swam through college. I am excited to represent AGUA outside the water for the first time.
Where is your favorite place to run?
West Side Highway.
Maxwell Seidel
What inspired you to run the marathon?
I have been to the NYC marathon many times when I was younger and fell in love with the atmosphere and energy around the race. This made me very excited to run the NYC marathon one day.
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
Growing up, I swam for a club in Boston that traveled for Asphalt Green’s annual MLK swim meet. Fast forward to today, my best friend is a lifelong member of Asphalt Green, and it feels like a full circle moment to be able to run with them.
Where is your favorite place to run?
I love to run all along the Charles River in Boston. When I lived in NYC, I enjoyed running through Central Park and down the West Side highway.
Annina Ruggirello
What inspired you to run the marathon?
I ran the NYC marathon last year and fell in love with the race. There isn’t another event quite like it, being able to run through my city, seeing all the different neighborhoods, and experiencing the cheering crowd is like nothing I’ve experienced before. I want to keep experiencing it again and again.
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
Athletics has always been important to me. I’ve done every sport I could since a young age and I want to make sure other kids have the same opportunity. I love that Asphalt Green gives kids a chance to stay active, play sports they love, and ultimately find their community.
What songs are on your running playlist?
A TON of Broadway musicals and other good sing along tracks. I’m known for timing my half.
Jill Burke
What inspired you to run the marathon?
Growing up, I watched the NYC Marathon every year and it was always a source of inspiration for me. The incredible support and camaraderie among the runners, the enthusiastic cheers from the fans, and the vibrant energy of the city were truly captivating. It was this collective spirit and sense of community that motivated me to take on the challenge of running the NYC road race myself. I wanted to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being part of such an amazing event. I ran the NYC Marathon in 2024, and I am so excited to run with Asphalt Green in 2025!
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
Asphalt Green is where I learned to swim and where I found a passion for swimming as a member of AGUA. I spent countless of hours in the pool, and I truly believe my experience swimming at Asphalt Green inspired my love of competition and sport and shaped me into who I am today. I am so excited and honored to be a member of the Asphalt Green team again and support them in the 2025 NYC Marathon!
Where is your favorite place to run?
The Charles River Esplanade in Boston.
Lauren Kowalski
What inspired you to run the marathon?
I’ve lived in NYC for the past ten years and am so proud to call this resilient city home. Every year I look forward to going to watch the marathon and am profoundly inspired each time. I am thrilled to join this special event.
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
I have always appreciated Asphalt Green’s commitment and involvement in the community. My former students participated in guided physical activities, gymnastics, and swimming at their facilities. I connect deeply with their mission of bringing the benefits of sports and fitness to all.
Where is your favorite place to run?
I love running outdoors. There is nothing like running through Central Park. I also love to run when on vacation, exploring new communities and paths.
Alexandra Fochios
What inspired you to run the marathon?
I’ve always wanted to run the NYC Marathon! After watching my friends train and cross the finish line, I knew I wanted to experience it myself. I can’t wait to run this year!
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
I grew up going to Asphalt Green on the Upper East Side; I learned how to swim there. So, when I saw there was a team running the marathon, it felt like a natural fit. It’s a place that’s been part of my life for a long time and I’m looking forward to representing them during the race.
Where is your favorite place to run?
Along the river.
Richard Dizon
What inspired or motivated you to run this NYC road race?
I’m extremely lucky to have the NYC Marathon as my final race for my six-star world marathon major journey. This race is legendary, but even with all the races I’ve run, my parents have never seen me run a marathon. So, I find it extremely rewarding to have them come drive up to NYC to see the culmination of all this running. I grew up on the east coast, so I’m also looking forward to seeing old friends who are now NYC locals cheer me on along the course.
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
Growing up low-income with immigrant parents, I wish I had a program like Asphalt Green when I was younger. Running always seemed like the most accessible sport to me since it didn’t require any special equipment, but it should not be the only option for kids who just want to be able to play and have fun without facing financial barriers. When looking for a cause that I wanted to support for the NYC Marathon, I found that the mission of Asphalt Green really resonated with my personal values, especially as a person who might not have had as many opportunities as my well-off peers growing up. I’m extremely excited to be able to support an organization that has done so much good for communities throughout New York City and beyond.
Where is your favorite place to run?
Having lived close to the ocean for the first 18 years of my life, my favorite spots to run are all alongside bodies of water. I love a good canal, lake, or beach-side run where I feel connected to the ground and calmed by the expanse of water by my side. The biggest irony throughout that, though, is that I never learned how to properly swim (again, wishing I had Asphalt Green growing up), but luckily, this is just a marathon and not a triathlon.
Youngho Kim
What inspired you to run this NYC road race?
As a New Yorker, every November I watch thousands of runners fill my neighborhood streets during the NYC Marathon. The joy on their faces and the thunderous cheers of their support have always captivated me. Standing on the sidelines year after year, I felt inspired, imagining myself being part of that incredible energy. Now as a passionate runner, I’m ready to make my dream a reality and turn that inspiration into my own journey.
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
Being part of Asphalt Green as an AGUA swim coach has taught me the value of community and shared goals. Running has been my go-to outlet for personal growth, but the idea of using it to support Asphalt Green’s mission excites me even more. When I saw the triathlete wearing the Asphalt Green uniform during a triathlon race last year, I realized how powerful it would be to not just compete for myself but for something bigger.
Where is your favorite place to run?
Central Park is my haven for running, with its varied terrain and the vibrant energy of fellow runners. I also love running along the East Rive.
Henry Schloss
What inspired or motivated you to run this NYC road race?
My dad
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
My dad swims at Asphalt Green three times a week.
Where is your favorite place to run?
Washington Park in Denver.
Jesse Zhong
What inspired you to run this NYC road race?
I’ve run multiple smaller races in NYC and helped cheer my friends at last year’s NYC marathon, so running NYC’s biggest race is very exciting to me.
Why did you want to run with Team Asphalt Green?
I’ve spent a lot of time in the BPC area running and seeing friends, and I love the impact Asphalt Green has on the BPC community and beyond.
What songs are on your running playlist?
Lots of pop EDM, such as AM:PM by NOTD
