Krista-Jean Kelly

RESIDENCE: LONG ISLAND, N.Y.

When she was 9 years old, Krista-Jean was struck by a Long Island Rail Road train while walking. She spent a month and a half in the hospital, relearning how to walk. In 2013, she was hit by a car reversing out of a parking spot, renewing her childhood trauma and forcing her to heal the invisible scars she carried. Four years later, a driver ran a stop sign and T-boned her vehicle, causing Krista-Jean to need knee surgery, putting a future marathon in doubt. Now, she is pursuing her goal of running the TCS New York City Marathon to raise awareness for PTSD.

What does it mean to be part of the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Team Inspire?

“Being part of Team Inspire means so much more than running 26.2 miles. It's an opportunity to share my story of resilience, celebrate how far I've come, and hopefully inspire someone else to believe that their circumstances don't have to define what's possible.”