Van Cortlandt Park Alliance partners with New York Road Runners

The Van Cortlandt Park Alliance has a roster of runners spreading their name in a citywide half-marathon this weekend.

“VCPA is thankful to NYRR for accepting us as a charity partner for the marathon this year and thankful to each of our team members who are working to raise much needed funds for Van Cortlandt Park,” Christina Taylor said, VCPA’s deputy director.

She is hopeful this will be the first of many times VCPA is a partner with United Airlines for the half marathon.

Five Team VCPA members will be joining the more than 27,000 runners at this year's New York Road Runners’ (NYRR) 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon on Sunday, March 16. Each runner was required to donate a fundraising contribution of $1,000. 

Delilah Kutler, a Kingsbridge resident, said she hasn’t always enjoyed long distance training, but always loved running in Van Cortlandt Park with her Aussiedoodle dog, West.

Originally from Morningside Heights, Kutler went to Bard High School Early College, where she ran track before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She said she has gotten back into running over the past four years and ran her first full marathon in 2023 with the New York City Marathon.

No matter the distance, Kutler knows it will all be worth it when the race is over.

“Honestly, sometimes the best part about running is knowing you can have a cheeseburger afterwards,” Kutler said of how she perseveres through the long-distance runs.

She added, VCPA is always vigilant when it comes to making sure the park is properly nurtured.

“After every rainstorm, they are out there making sure running conditions are safe and comfortable,” Kutler said. “They are just the best.”

Kutler also runs with Bronx run club 718RUN and staff members of the Kingsbridge Social Club a popular pizza-focused restaurant on Kingsbridge Avenue.

Mason Jenkins from Riverdale, values the hours of training leading up to a marathon.

“When I run, it’s a reminder to appreciate the moment and have time in my own space,” Jenkins said. “It always has me aiming to be more present.”

Originally from Michigan, Jenkins ran track and cross country and played basketball in high school as he studied at the Union Theological Seminary at the University of the South, also known as Sewanee.

He moved to Riverdale in 2017 and began racing with the NYRR four years ago.

“I just love running and I love parks — especially Van Cortlandt Park,” Jenkins added..

He also ran in the Ted Corbitt 50K marathon in Brooklyn in late January, a little more than 31 miles.

The three other runners representing the VCPA in Sunday’s half marathon include Will Nedds, Aaron Cargill and Joshua Medway.

For the first time in its 19-year standardized history, part of the race will be run on the Brooklyn Bridge.

The race, will begin near the Brooklyn Museum, proceed over the Brooklyn Bridge and continue north on the FDR Drive through Times Square before the run concludes in Central Park.

The Manhattan Bridge has taken runners from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the past seven years. Before 2018, the half marathon only took place in Manhattan, with runners beginning and ending the race in the same borough.

Top winners receive finisher medals, prize money, charity spots on future running teams and other awards.

The first-place finisher gets $20,000, $10,000 for second place and $5,500 for third.

United Airlines NYC Half Official Charity Partner Program donations benefit several organizations, including the American Red Cross, Amref Health Africa and the Israel Research Cancer Fund, among others.

NYRR, a non-profit running organization, was established in June 1958 and headed by founding president Ted Corbitt, who six years earlier, became the first Black man to compete in the Olympic marathon during the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland .

“VCPA is thankful to NYRR for accepting us as a charity partner for the marathon this year and thankful to each of our team members who are working to raise much needed funds for Van Cortlandt Park,” Christina Taylor said, VCPA’s deputy director.

Team VCPA supports the organization's mission to preserve, support and promote the ecology, recreation, cultural arts and history of Van Cortlandt Park, according to the running team’s website. Runners must pay their own registration fees through NYRR, $135 for NYRR members and  $160 for others.

VCPA members also receive a personal online fundraising page via Haku, with support from the VCPA staff.

“Enough can’t be said about VCPA and all the hard work they do to keep the Van Cortlandt Park clean and always looking its best,” Jenkins added admiringly.

For more information on how to become a member for Team VCPA’s next race, call (718) 601-1460 or email info@vancortlandt.org.