Debut documentary short film from New York Road Runners’ East 89th St Productions in partnership with Tribeca Studios recognized for powerful storytelling
Winners will be announced May 26 at Lincoln Center
“Final Finishers” available to stream now on ESPN+ and Disney+
New York, March 25, 2026 — New York Road Runners (NYRR)—the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races and providing free year-round youth and community programs—today is celebrating that “Final Finishers,”the first project released by its East 89th St Productionscontent studio and co-produced with Tribeca Studios, has been nominated for a National Sports Emmyin the Outstanding Sports Documentary Short category.
“This nomination is an incredible honor for New York Road Runners and a testament to the power of storytelling to embody our nonprofit mission of transforming lives through movement,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “‘Final Finishers’ reflects our commitment to telling the full breadth of the running experience, spotlighting the everyday athletes whose journeys are just as inspiring as the champions. We’re proud to see this story recognized on a national stage.”
Directed by two-time Emmy Award-winning director Rudy Valdez, “Final Finishers” captures the raw emotion and celebrates the unsung heroes at the back of the pack during races, including the TCS New York City Marathon, against the electrifying backdrop of New York City. Developed, produced, and distributed in partnership with Tribeca Studios, the original content division of Tribeca Enterprises, “Final Finishers” premiered during the 2025 Tribeca Festival. The 30-minute documentary short film is currently streaming on ESPN+ and Disney+.
CREDITS
- Director: Rudy Valdez
- Executive Producers:Berry Welsh, Jacqui Moore, Rudy Valdez
- Co-Executive Producers: Keelin Ryan, Matthew Singer
- Producer: Meghan Schale
- Co-Producer: Peter Kirk
- Associate Producers:Tanner Smith, Yvette Hollingsworth
- Editor: Claire Ave’Lallemant
- Cinematographer: Rudy Valdez
- Story/Archival Producer: Manon Blackman
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About East 89th St Productions
East 89th St Productionsis New York Road Runners’ content studio dedicated to producing original content that aligns with the nonprofit’s vision of building healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running. The studio is part of New York Road Runners’ ongoing strategic investment in content and an expansion into longer-form storytelling, including documentary shorts, feature documentaries, and docuseries. Through East 89th St Productions, New York Road Runners works with passionate filmmakers, talented creatives, and notable distribution partners to give empowering and untold stories of runners and the running community a global platform.
The studio includes New York Road Runners’ robust content slate of live race broadcasts, the NYRR Set the Pace Presented by Peloton podcast, NYRR App race content, “The Run On” blog, short-form video series, live and in-person experiential content, and partner content like Peloton Scenic and Outdoor content.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running—serving more than half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.