Board and Governance

PROSPECT PARK TRACK CLUB, INC. is a non-profit organization, organized under the New York Not-For-Profit Corporation Law. We hold elections for open positions each April. Officers and Directors have two-year terms.

  • Click here for our by-laws

  • Our Code of Conduct can be found here

  • Our Communications and Posting Guidelines can be found here

  • Email the Board here

 

Our Officers

 

President – Crystal Cun

In high school, I was such a lazy student in gym class that my teacher would sing "Eye of the Tiger" to motivate me. (Ms. Caverly, if you're reading this, I'm sorry I was so apathetic!) It didn't work, but years later, I began running casually, then more seriously when a friend wanted to sign up for a marathon together. Then I won a cake at a local race for placing in the top ten, and for the first time in my life, I realized I might actually be decent at sports.

Today, I am proud to lead PPTC, and even more thrilled to be working with a team of brilliant, dedicated people. As President, I will continue our club's focus on creating the best possible member experiences, while leveraging our social and financial influence to benefit our community. Currently, I serve on the Social and Race Committees, which empower our members to be the change they want to see in our running community. PPTC has over 50 years of history already, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead us into the next era of change and challenges.

 
 

Vice President - Linda Chan

 
 

I always think of myself as a beginner runner, but I’ve been at it for over 10 years now.  I never ran a mile before I was 30, but now I’ve raced a mile a few times,  run 7 marathons, a 60K, and maybe 200 other races of varying distances.  While our club includes former track stars or running phenoms who never ran a mile and who then lace up to run phenomenal race times, there also is a place for runners like me  – someone who hopes to get to a 10 min/mile pace at some point.  

I have enjoyed cheering for my teammates and being cheered on and supported at races and in training.  After participating in PPTC’s marathon training program, I ran a PR at the 2019 New York City Marathon.  It was an uplifting experience to have the support of all my teammates throughout that training cycle and to be congratulated for running a PR, even though it was hours slower than the race times of just about everyone else.  

While I have volunteered at our club’s races and events and worked on the Social Committee, Grants Committee, Communications Committee, Diversity Committee, Training and Competing Committee, and Blog Team, PPTC’s unwavering support of me throughout my time as a member and its commitment to the community motivated me to first run for the Board, so that I could better serve our club.  I served as Director for one term and while being a Director on the Board had its challenges, I hoped my work on the Board helped to make the club a better space for everyone. I hope to continue these efforts as a Vice President on the Board to help to make PPTC an even more welcoming space for all of our members and prospective members.  

 

Secretary – Katie claiborne

I moved to Brooklyn in January 2019, and showed up at a PPTC group run on my first Saturday in the city. Little did I know that the kind people who hauled me over Brooklyn Bridge and back that day would become some of my closest friends. Through PPTC, I trained for my first marathon, and went on to train for ultramarathons. At every step, it's been a supportive community that has helped me care for my body and mind, build relationships, and get to know the city we all call home.

 
 
 

Treasurer – Doug Olney

I'm proud to say that I've been a runner for over 40 years. It started on somewhat of a whim when I was in high school, but I soon discovered that I had some talent, and I was hooked, and I significantly improved when I ran cross-country and track at the Division III college level. After landing in Brooklyn in the early 1980s I quickly got to know the roads and paths in Prospect Park. I feel so lucky to have this special all-season urban oasis just a few blocks from my home! I also took the time to explore many of Brooklyn's neighborhoods, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island and beyond. I've done more races than I care to count, although I've never attempted anything longer than a marathon (and probably never will).

While my speediest days are behind me, it's still a joy just to be able to get out on the roads, and to line up for races from time to time. Running will always be an integral part of my life.  

That's also true about PPTC. I joined the club in 1984 after competing (and placing) in one of the club's races. I participated in many of the club's activities that still exist today - to name a few, the Handicap, weekend group runs, and NYC Marathon activities. I became Treasurer in the late 1990s, and I keep reapplying for the job because I'm not sure anyone else wants to do it! Our club has undergone an amazing transformation in recent years, with more members, more training opportunities and more activities than ever before. I'm proud to be a member of Brooklyn's oldest, yet most dynamic running team.

 
 

Our Directors

David Coleman

I joined PPTC about 5 years ago, after having participated in the Al Goldstein series for a few summers. I’m on the diversity committee and the race committee and have been fortunate to co-direct a few of our races this past year

 

Danielle Fagenblat

I spent my school years strategizing to only participate in the minimum required sports activities. After moving to NYC 16 years ago, I became a semi-serious gym hobbyist and was encouraged to start running 7 years ago to make stunning use of being awake before the SoCal sunrise while traveling there weekly for work. 

I joined PPTC 5 years ago, finding that runners encouraging each other is persistent and it’s been part of what’s driven me to run more, enjoy running more, and get involved within our community -- I’m an active member of the Race Committee, a Race Director, and Chair of the Volunteer Committee. 

In my years living in NYC, I’ve never felt the strength of community, everyone being welcomed and supported regardless of perceived abilities or external factors, as I have with PPTC. As a Director on the Board, I look forward to further encouraging, developing and contributing to our profound community impact.

Evy Barnett

You might see Eva around, but I go by Evy! 

I work as a graphic designer and I have a passion for animals, environmental sustainability, and museums. Usually I can be spotted with a four-legged companion around. I currently reside north of the park and I normally enter the park through GAP. I’m definitely an early bird and prefer to run in the morning sun. Although recently I’ve been doing a lot of road running, I love trail running and would love to get back to it!

I tried cross country in middle school and remained an on and off again runner throughout college. I joined PPTC in 2019 and can still vividly remember the first group run I joined. Although I never considered myself an outstanding runner, I continued because I liked how it helped my anxiety and I liked how my mind felt after a run. I also had made a few amazing friends who encouraged me to try running my first half marathon. Since then, I’ve been hooked!

I’ve done many 5Ks, a few half marathons, and recently completed my first marathon. Through a very sweaty trial and error process, I figured out that the half-marathon is my favorite distance. Running has always been an emotional space for me. It is where I can be completely in the present with myself. I’m very anxious, but when I can feel all my muscles move and feel my heartbeat throughout my body my mind settles down for a while. 

I also currently hold the title for PPTC’s Best Banana Bread.


AMIT DUBEY

I joined PPTC in December 2019 as a way to get some motivation to start running and to get healthier. Ever since, I have gotten more than I could have ever imagined. Through PPTC I have made friends and have ran multiple marathons. I also gained a lot of confidence in myself as a runner and as a person. Being a slow and steady runner, and joining a running club, can be quite intimidating because of the fear of not having anyone to run with or being judged on pace. But as a member of PPTC I have never faced those issues. I want everyone that joins PPTC to feel like they have the support and resources needed to accomplish whatever their running goals are, regardless of their background or running experience. I believe in PPTC's mission and hope that I can expand PPTC's impact on the community.

Janice Fuld

I joined PPTC in 2009 after running the NYC marathon and seeing how supportive and welcoming the club was to its members. I have seen the club grow over the years and deeply value this vibrant and caring community, from which I have gotten so much support and friendship. As someone who started running at age 38, I enjoy encouraging and supporting runners of all ages and paces. I have served as a pacer on many PPTC runs, including the last 10-mile runs (the week before the NYC marathon) and the popular "no drop" runs. I joined the PPTC Board in August 2022 and have taken on different roles including being the MC of PPTC's inaugural talent show, moderating the 2022 NYC marathon panel discussion, helping to launch PPTC's race assistance fund, and being a member of the diversity committee. I am honored to continue to serve on the Board.