Meet Riverdale Y Members who ran the 2025 New York City Marathon!
Clai Henry is a 41 year old attorney who lives in North Riverdale. He has been a member of Riverdale Y for seven years. (He also grew up in Riverdale and even lifeguarded at Riverdale Y as a teenager!)
Rachel Beaton is a 43 year old third grade teacher and educational consultant who lives in Spuyten Duyvil. She has been a member of Riverdale Y for four years.
Brianna N. Rivera is a 26 year old leasing agent who lives in Riverdale. She has been a part of the Riverdale Y community since she was a kid.
“What was the most exciting part of running the New York City Marathon?”
Clai: The start line. It was a beautiful day. There is a lot of great energy. Everyone is excited to get started.
Rachel: I loved seeing my family and friends along the course – my husband managed to see me at 7 different places and he brought my kids to 5 of those places!
Brianna: Running through the city I grew up in, surrounded by people from all over the world all cheering together. New York City doesn’t just lift you up, it pushes you forward!
“What inspired you to run the race this year?”
Brianna: I grew up watching my dad run in Riverdale during the summers – it was his thing. After his back surgery, he couldn’t run anymore, so I ran this one for both of us. As the first in our family to run a marathon, I wanted to show that anyone can accomplish hard things!
Clai: I ran the marathon to challenge myself physically and emotionally. Also to set a good example for my four children. I think it’s important to lead by example so that I have their trust and respect when I insist they challenge themselves.
Rachel: This is my second marathon; I ran my first in Pennsylvania and I missed having people there cheering me on, so I decided to do the NYC Marathon to have that experience. I raised money for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I have anxiety and have had depression, so it’s important to me to raise awareness of the impact that mental illnesses can have on everyday life.
“How was Riverdale Y part of your training for the race?”
Rachel: Using the treadmill at Riverdale Y was really important for my speed intervals – I am a slower runner, and I find it hard to push myself to move faster when I’m running outside, so it’s great that the treadmill does that for you! I would love to meet other slower runners in Riverdale – you can find me at the gym on Thursday nights sweating it out during speed work! I also loved that I was able to swim laps for cross training.
Brianna: Riverdale Y played a huge role in my marathon training. I spent early mornings and late nights on the treadmill, working on speed and incline runs, and the sauna became my go-to for recovery. The fitness center staff always made it such a fun and comfortable place to train. I am so grateful to them for making this community truly feel like one big family!
“What would you say to someone considering running a marathon?”
Brianna: Go for it! Running a marathon is challenging but so rewarding. Enjoy the journey of training, push yourself along the way, and be amazed at what you’re capable of. Laugh at the fun signs, and soak in the unforgettable support and camaraderie on race day!
Rachel: You can do it as long as you do it at the right pace for you!
Clai: I would say it’s a worthwhile goal to strive for, and that you will learn about yourself during the training and race. Progress isn’t linear. Be patient.
Congratulations to Clai, Rachel, and Brianna. We are so proud to have you in our community!
