Strava Highlights Creator and Community Stories Ahead of TCS New York City Marathon
Meet the Creators and Athletes Leading the Charge Inspiring their communities on Strava—one run at a time
San Francisco, CA – October 13, 2025 – Strava, the app for active people with more than 150 million athletes, is celebrating the journeys that bring runners to the starting line and the community that keeps them going every single day after.
In the 2024 Year in Sport Trend Report, 43% of Strava users said they were setting their sights on conquering a big race or event in 2025. As thousands of runners prepare to achieve that goal on the iconic course of the New York City Marathon this year, Strava is shifting the spotlight to the journey it takes to get to the finish line. From early morning miles to the run club friendships made along the way, every run on Strava connects active people to a global community pushing each other forward.
Creators and Athletes Leading the Charge
From the world of professional sports, reality TV, and TikTok to the streets of New York, these Strava creators are sharing their marathon journeys and inspiring their communities one mile at a time:
Victoria Paris – Five years after her first NYC Marathon experience, the TikTok creator is back on the course, sharing how running has become her anchor – a tool for managing depression and anxiety, and proof that the miles we run often matter most for what they give us off the course.
Nicolas Vansteenberghe – A former competitive swimmer and breakout star of Love Island USA, Nic has been making moves well beyond reality TV. For the first time since his time in the Villa, he’s back on the course with his sights set on a new personal best - bringing the same focus that’s driven him every step of the way.
Isaac Rochell – After stepping away from a seven-year career in professional football, the former defensive end turned his focus to a new challenge: distance running. Six months into retirement, he completed his first marathon - and now, he's back for his third, taking on the streets of New York City.
Also running with Strava and sharing their marathon journeys: Yasmin Maya, Giselle Esparza, Ryan Hartsig, Hunter Leppard, Uly Morazan, Andrew Zhan, Vinny Mui, Ameya Okamoto, Issa Okamoto, Avelyn Castillo, Aliana King, Shan Rizwan, Lynn Kate Molina, Raquel Lopez, and Sophia Schiaroli.
The Community Organizers Making It Happen
Behind every great run is a community that makes it possible. This year, Strava is honoring the run club leaders who are transforming their neighborhoods one run at a time.
Tammy Salazar-Andurand – Women Make Moves - Tammy created Women Make Moves to build a year-round space where women can connect and celebrate each other weekly. What started as Thursday night runs in Crown Heights, Brooklyn has now expanded to London, with runners and walkers of all levels meeting – including a 10-woman training team tackling the marathon distance this year.
Sergio Santos – Recess Run Club - After an injury left him with a long road back to running, Sergio's friends and family encouraged him to start something new. That push led to Recess Run Club's first event: a walk in Prospect Park paired with a coat drive. Now, Recess is an escape – a space where the community comes together to find love, hope, and healing through movement.
Ben Lorry, Jack Dweck, David Chalmers – Almost Friday Run Club - Every Thursday at 7am, runners gather for Almost Friday Run Club, founded in 2022 on a simple principle: run club, not race club. With an every-pace, any-level attitude, AFRC has grown from a NYC Thursday morning tradition to chapters in Boston, San Francisco, and D.C. – giving runners everywhere a reason to look forward to Thursdays.
Follow along on Strava as these creators and community leaders as they share their journeys to the finish line on November 2nd.