Running the RBC Brooklyn Half Will Bring Back Cherished Family Memories for Chasity Velez Navarro

TIME TO READ3 mins

BYNYRR Staff

DATEMay 14, 2025

Photo provided by MarathonFoto.

Chasity Velez Navarro’s connection to Brooklyn runs deep. Her grandfather, Alcides Bloem, moved from Puerto Rico to Brooklyn in the 1930s and built a life in Williamsburg where he got married, had children, and helped to raise her. She recalls spending weekends in his garden, sipping tea, running around under the sprinklers, and playing with his dogs.

“We had a back patio where we would sit and have summer dinners with my grandmother's iced tea, salad from the vegetables he grew in his garden, and a freshly caught fish (he also fished),” Chasity said.

Sadly, her grandfather passed away in November 2021, a few days after his 87th birthday, and is buried at the Cypress Hill Cemetery. Her grandmother passed away shortly after, in February 2023. Chasity lives in the Upper West Side and didn’t go back to Brooklyn until the United Airlines NYC Half this past March and plans to run the RBC Brooklyn Half to honor her grandparents.

Chasity with her grandfather.

Chasity started running regularly last fall at age 48 after joining the Peloton Latin & Hispanic Heritage Month run club to connect with other people from the

Peloton

community. When she found out that the club was hosting in-person runs with

Latinas Run

, she was all in.

“I signed up for every single event. The first event was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Until then, all my running had been alone and felt half-hearted. This was the complete opposite. I met some of the most incredible women of all ages and backgrounds and it felt effortless.”

Being part of the Peloton community kept her motivated to chase her goals because she “found her people.” Now she’s got her sights set on completing her 9+1 for guaranteed entry to the

2026 TCS New York City Marathon

“I really hope Peloton continues to do more run club events because it can change people’s lives. I know it did for me.”

Chasity also joined the

Asian Trail Mix

, a trail running community based in New York City, through someone she met from the Peloton Latin & Hispanic Heritage Month run club and said running with the group is like being with family.

“There are runners from every background and every pace, and nobody is ever made to feel left out. They inspire and motivate you to do more, to be better, and they are just the most communicative and supportive group of people out there.”

For the RBC Brooklyn Half, Chasity is looking forward to running through neighborhoods she hasn’t visited in years and reliving cherished memories with her grandparents.

“My family were avid beach goers, and we have plenty of old pictures of us at the beach. Ending at Coney Island is going to be a special moment."

Chasity as a child on the beach with her family. — Chasity as a child with her family.

Chasity as a child with her family.