Atalanta NYC.

We are a nonprofit organization that employs professional female runners to serve as mentors to girls in underserved NYC communities while continuing to train and race professionally.

Our runners are supported by a dedicated coaching and support staff.

Atalanta Professional Athletes.

Leah Anderson

Sprinter

Fun Facts

I grew up in Mt. Vernon, New York, with a strong passion for both arts and track and field. Over the last 10 years, I've training and competing, improving my abilities. I've had the privilege of training with Central Park Track Club for my 1st pro year. I'm currently on a new chapter in my athletic career by joining Atalanta NYC, and I'm hopeful for a successful and fulfilling future.

Race Results

• Jamaican National Record Holder in the Indoor 500m

• World Indoor Championships 4 x 400m anchor leg --Qualified TEAM JAMAICA for World Indoor Finals

• Penn Relays Pro 400m Runner-Up

• 500m 1:08.34

• 400m 51.84

• 300m 36.65

• 200m 23.10

Karisa Nelson

Miler

Fun Facts

I was born in southern California and raised in a small rural town called Brewton, Alabama. I come from a big family with four siblings, including a twin! I graduated from Samford university with a degree in biochemistry, and dream of going to medical school after my running career.

Race Results

• US Olympic Trials Semi-Finalist 2021

• USA Championships 1500m Finalist 2019

• 4 x USA Championships Qualifier

• NCAA 1 Mile Champion 2017

• 1500m 4:05.20

• 800m 2:04.91

Emily Richards

800 Meter

Fun Facts

I’m from Delaware, Ohio, where I got my start in running as a short sprinter. The only high school record I still hold is in the 100m dash. I studied Chemistry and Journalism in college, and was conference runner-up in the javelin my senior year. In my spare time, I write articles for D3 Glory Days, explore local hiking trails, and play with my two cats, Pepper and Matcha.

Race Results

• NCAA DIII 800m National Record Holder

• US Olympic Trials Qualifier 2021

• USA National Semi-Finalist 2022 & 2023

• 800m 2:00.20

• 1500m 4:10.56

• Mile Road 4:30.6

Mary Cain

Founder

Fun Facts

The shortest race I've ever run is the 400m, and longest run is 18 miles. I typically prefer to run without headphones, but when I do, I love listening to running podcasts or my favorite musicians, Hozier and Dermot Kennedy.

Race Results

• World Championship 1500m Finalist 2013

• World Junior Champion 3000m 2014

• Milrose Games Mile Champion 2014

Atalanta Coaches and Support.

devon

Devon Martin

Executive Director

Experience

I started my coaching career at UC Berkeley but detoured to Oxford University to attain a law degree and my Oxford "Blue" in track. After a ten-year career at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, I returned to my love of running to become the Executive Director and Head Coach of the Central Park Track Club, overseeing both men's and women's teams. Additionally, I've served in leadership roles with USA Track & Field including Chair of the USATF Elite Development Club Program.

Race Results

• US Olympic Trials Qualifier in the 1500m 1992

• US Olympic Festival Silver Medalist 1991

• Member of the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame

• 2 x TEAM USA Coach

• TEAM USA Coach for World Indoors - Men's Distance Team took home 4 medals

Lee Sossen

COO

Experience

Prior to joining Atalanta NY, I was President and General Counsel of HICKIES, Inc., an alternative shoe lacing startup that sold more than 6 million pairs of its patented elastic laces. I formerly practiced law at Friedman Kaplan Seiler & Adelman LLP, focusing on complex commercial and securities litigation. I also raced as a professional duathlete for three seasons during the mid-2000s and then raced around as a stay-at-home father of a daughter and son before returning to the world of startups.

Race Results

2021 is the 25th anniversary of my first open race win, the 1996 Little Falls Canal Classic Bicycle Race, and it is the 15th anniversary of 2006, when I won nine races including the Lighter Than Air and Thundergust Duathlons. Over the years, my wins in Central Park have included a bicycle race, duathlon, individual time trial, and team time trial, but never a running race.


Derrick Adkins

Sprints Coach

Experience

A prominent American hurdler, achieved success in the 1990s. Adkins, a Georgia Tech alum, coached at Columbia University and directed the New Balance Track and Field Armory, NYC. Currently, he coaches at Central Park Track Club Tracksmith in NYC.

Race Results

• Olympic Gold Medalist at the Atlanta Olympics in 400m Hurdles 1996

• World Champion 1995

• NCAA 4 x 400 Relay Champions 1992

• 400H 47.54

Steph Herrick

Youth Program Director

Fun Facts


Designs youth programming for our HS girls. Stephanie has worked for almost a decade designing NYRR Youth Program.

Race Results

• 10 -Time All American
• 8 - USA National Qualifier

Julia Lucas

Community
Coach

Fun Facts

Over the last decade I’ve coached Runners’ world editor David Wiley, Broadway star Cynthia Erivo, and hundreds of local New Yorkers with goals ranging from Olympic trials qualifying marks to first 5ks. I’m excited to return to my roots, to elite women’s distance running, with broadened perspective on performance, health, community, and political voice.

Race Results

Julia was an eight-time NCAA All-American and a three-time ACC champion for NC State (Go Pack!) She then competed post-collegiately out west where she
posted PRs of 15:08.52 5000m and 4:05.89 1500m.





Lena Płaczek

Strength Coach

Fun Facts

Originally from Poland, I came over to the states to run at the University of Iowa. I've lived in NYC for 8 years and I'm currently pursuing my Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

Race Results

Top Polish Female Runner in the 2019 NYC Marathon running a speedy 2:56.26 for her debut in marathon

Atalanta Board Members.

Evan Roth

Board Member

Fun Facts

I quit my high school cross country team after my Freshman year when my Coach shared that I would likely finish last at every race (his actual quote: “someone has to finish last”). After those inspiring words, I attended the University of Pennsylvania where I won a national championship as the varsity coxswain for the heavyweight rowing team. In building my business, I have incorporated the benefits and joy that sports and running, in particular, bring to friendship, community and success. 

Race Results

Triathlete of all distances from Sprint to Ironman.

2x USA team qualifier for age group duathlon.

Adventure trail runner and biker.

Mary Wittenberg

Mary Wittenberg

Board Member

Fun Facts

I didn't grow up running. In fact, I was pretty bad at most "traditional" sports. Yet, I loved being on a team and pursuing my personal best. Rowing during high school and college turned me into a runner toward the end of college. Ever since then, my ambition has been to help others unlock their potential - and to bring people together - through sport and fitness.

After starting my career as a corporate lawyer, I have followed my dream - working in leadership roles in sport and fitness for over 20 years. My favorite place in the world is Central Park at sunrise. I always run with my phone and these days spend as much time taking pictures as I do picking up the pace.

Race Results

Ancient History: Marine Corp Marathon Women's Champion & Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier 350+ race finisher.

Avid runner and aspiring cyclist.

Allyson Felix

Board Member

Fun Facts

It seems like we already know everything we need to know about her, but in many ways she is still carving her path. Her commitment to excellence has cast a shadow of predictability, but Allyson Felix stands alone.

She is the most decorated Track & Field Olympian in history. A nine- time Olympic medalist. Six-time Olympic Champion. World Record Holder. She has won, a mind-blowing, twenty-five global medals at the Olympics and World Championships.

With a recent event change on the track, Allyson is still honing her craft and seems to find passion and determination rivaled only by the greatest of the greats. Serena Williams. Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant. She continues to dig deep and find new goals to motivate and drive her.

At this stage of her career Allyson has found passions off the track which she believes are her true calling. She loves children and serves as a member of the Right To Play board hoping to raise awareness for underserved children in developing regions. She has hosted a wrap-up series for an Emmy- winning prime- time show on NBC. Allyson has accomplished so much, but her greatest accomplishment and her greatest love is her daughter, Camryn, who reminds her everyday that she can never stop fighting for what is right in this world. She continues to strive for greatness in all areas reminding us that we all can achieve things we never dreamed of. 


Photo by @djeneba.aduayom for @nytimes.

Press Landing Page