Our Team.

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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 full-time dedicated coaching and support staff.

Atalanta Professional Athletes.

Professional AthletesCoaches and SupportBoard Members
Mary Cain

Mary Cain

CEO and Founder

Fun Facts

I live on the Upper West Side in NYC with my boyfriend, Jake, and dog, Nala. The shortest race I’ve ever run is the 400, and my 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

• 2013 World Championship 1500m Finalist (10th Place)
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• 2014 World Junior Champion 3000m
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• 2014 Millrose Games Mile Champion

Karisa Nelson

Runner

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

• 2017 NCAA 1 Mile Champion

• 4:05.20 1500 m

• 2019 USA Championships Finalist

• 2:04.91 800 m


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Aoibhe Richardson

Aoibhe Richardson

Runner

Fun Facts

I am from Kilkenny, Ireland and came to the US in 2016 to attend University and compete in the NCAA. I lived in Portland and San Francisco before moving to New York in September to join the Atalanta team. My parents both competed for Ireland, and I have three younger sisters who also run, so it really is a family affair!

Race Results

• 2019 NCAA All-American in Cross Country

• Qualified for NCAA National Championships in Indoor and Outdoor track

• Part of the Irish team that won a silver medal at the 2019 European Cross Country Championships

• Represented Ireland at the 2018 European 10,000m cup

Atalanta Coaches and Support.

Professional AthletesCoaches and SupportBoard Members

Julia Lucas

Head 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.
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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.


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

Aisha McAdams

Photographer

Experience

Aisha is our go-to photography wizard. We love her work and her incredible ability to make the human experience so beautiful. She is a runner herself, so she knows how to capture the most authentic moments.

Race Results

Aisha ran at Stonehill and now runs for Heartbreak Hill Running Co. She also runs all over the globe capturing events near and far, fast and slow. We are always asking where in the world is Aisha? The typical answer is shooting something incredible.

Atalanta Board Members.

Professional AthletesCoaches and SupportBoard 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.

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