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New York Road Runners Announces Team Inspire—26 Most Compelling Runner Stories From 2026 TCS New York City Marathon Field

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New York, Oct. 6, 2026 – New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races, including the TCS New York City Marathon, has unveiled the members of 2026 Team Inspire, a diverse group of marathon athletes with the most compelling stories. Today’s announcement marks 26 days from the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon—the best day of the year, in the best city in the world—on Sunday, Nov. 1, with each runner story representing one mile of the iconic 26.2-mile course. This year’s TCS New York City Marathon will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro course, which was first run in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial and uplift the city.

Every year, New York Road Runners selects 26 compelling runner stories to form Team Inspire, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the TCS New York City Marathon field. The athletes vary in age, gender, hometown, pace, ability, background, and motivation, but they are united by the transformative power of running and the belief that every step can change a life. This year’s Team Inspire includes first-time marathoners, seasoned athletes, runners who completed the first 5-boro marathon in 1976, charity runners putting purpose behind their miles to reach New York Road Runners’ $100 million fundraising goal, final finishers, and participants in New York Road Runners programs. Together, Team Inspire captures the spirit of New York City and the unique people, stories, and magic that make the TCS New York City Marathon the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.

“On the first Sunday in November, millions of spectators lining the streets of New York City and watching around the world will be inspired by the TCS New York City Marathon, and so often that inspiration comes from everyday runners with extraordinary stories,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “Through Team Inspire, New York Road Runners is proud to uplift athletes whose resilience, determination, and passion embody the spirit of Marathon Sunday. Their journeys remind us that the marathon is about more than 26.2 miles—it’s a celebration of connection and the best of humanity.”

Taking place the first Sunday in November, the TCS New York City Marathon has grown into one of the most inclusive and accessible sporting events in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators to experience the transformative power of running. Last year’s race set an event record—for the second consecutive year—with 59,219 finishers, which at the time was the largest marathon in world history. To mark the historic race, New York Road Runners has set a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Since the program’s inception, runners have raised nearly $700 million for more than 1,000 nonprofits around the globe.

Team Inspire members for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon

  • Fred Abramowitz, Fort Collins, Colo. – Fred was introduced to distance running when he took part in the 1976 New York City Marathon. After initially vowing to never run again, he launched himself into a lifetime devotion to the sport, completing more than 100 marathons and ultramarathons, including 18 New York City Marathons, and becoming the race director of the Run Rabbit Run 50- and 100-mile endurance runs.
  • Jeffrey Abramowitz, Philadelphia – A former trial lawyer, Jeffrey spent six years in federal prison. Upon his release, he lived in shelters and saw firsthand the barriers preventing successful reentry into society for the formerly incarcerated. He has since dedicated his life to helping justice-impacted individuals find a path forward through educational justice and workforce development, and serves as the CEO of The Petey Greene Program, a national nonprofit with the same mission.
  • Shaunta-Maé Alexander, Los Angeles – Shaunta-Maé grew up in foster care and faced abuse but found strength through sports. She has spent years navigating serious health challenges, including two separate episodes of paralysis that forced her to relearn basic skills. She is now running her first marathon to advocate for other people with disabilities.
  • Giles Ashton-Roberts, Leicester, England – For his 50th birthday, Giles is completing seven TCS-sponsored marathons across four continents in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, to honor his mother, who passed away earlier this year after a nearly decade-long battle with the disease.
  • Shaden Awad, Queens, N.Y. – Shaden is the daughter of Palestinian immigrants who grew up in refugee camps. An entrepreneur, activist, and small business owner, she has dedicated her career to financially empowering other Palestinians, and runs in a hijab to increase visibility and representation for the Muslim community.
  • Mildred Baker, Bronx, N.Y. – When Mildred joined NYRR Striders, a program for older adults, in her late seventies to stay active and healthy, she had no idea the community would transform her life. She ran her first half marathon in 2025 at the United Airlines NYC Half and will run her first marathon at the age of 80.
  • Hanna Born, Alexandria, Va. – On September 11, 2001, Hanna was only 3 years old and in the Pentagon’s daycare. Now, just over 25 years later, she is a United States Air Force helicopter pilot and is taking on a personal project—Run to Remember 2,977—where she is running one mile for each of the nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11.
  • Laura Britt, Atlanta – In December 2025, Laura’s best friend, Christina Chambers, was killed in a murder-suicide by her husband. Laura ran her first half marathon with Christina, who was an avid runner and college track athlete. In Christina’s honor, Laura is running the TCS New York City Marathon with Christina’s sister and some of her closest friends to raise funds for Sanctuary for Families and support victims of domestic violence.
  •  Jackie Corin, Washington, D.C. – After Jackie survived the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, she turned tragedy into action by co-founding the youth-led organization March for Our Lives. Over the past eight years, she has grown from student activist to CEO and executive director of the organization.
  • Danish Hussain Yar, Ithaca, N.Y. – Danish grew up in Afghanistan, and when the Taliban regained power, she lost the ability to run, as women were no longer permitted to leave their home without a man. She started watching videos of the TCS New York City Marathon, dreaming of the freedom the race represented. At 18, she escaped the country and used running to cope with the loss of her home, and at 20, she moved to the United States to attend Cornell University. She is running the TCS New York City Marathon with Free to Run, a nonprofit she discovered as a young girl that advances gender equity through running.
  • Alan Kaufman, Queens, N.Y. – Alan began running the New York City Marathon every year starting in 1992, including 13 races as an Achilles International guide for athletes with disabilities. In 2017, he was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma in his brain and lungs and has now run the race as an Achilles athlete with a guide since 2018.
  • Krista-Jean Kelly, 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.
  • Sheena Lawrick, Evanston, Ill., Sherie Buell, Brooklyn, N.Y., and Laura Lang, Ponte Vedra, Fla. – Sheena’s son, Gus (4), Sherie’s son, Noah (5 months), and Laura’s daughter, Holly (3), were diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare pediatric eye cancer. All three children were treated by the same doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), and through months of procedures and waiting rooms, their mothers bonded and supported each other through every appointment. Now that all three children have successfully completed their treatment, Sheena, Sherie, and Laura are running the TCS New York City Marathon with Fred’s Team and raising money for MSK.
  • Dennis Levasseur, Salem, Mass. – On September 11, 2001, Dennis was deployed with Massachusetts Task Force 1 from his fire station in Salem to New York City following the collapse of the World Trade Center. In honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, he will run the TCS New York City Marathon to honor the victims, including the 13 members of Massachusetts Task Force 1 who lost their lives in the years since, and whose names are listed on a card that Dennis carries in his pocket during every training run. He is running for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which has a goal of raising $1 million for those who continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
  • Vanessa Lindley, New York – Vanessa has lived in all five boroughs and views each one as a valuable part of her story. When she was 13 and her mother was struggling with addiction, her family was evicted from their Brooklyn home, and she moved in with her grandmother on Staten Island, where she truly found herself. While in college, she stayed with her father in the Bronx, moved to Queens after graduation, and has since built a life in Harlem.
  • Julianna Mangano, Staten Island, N.Y. – Born and raised in Staten Island, Julianna began running after her cousin, and best friend, suffered a cardiac event while out on a routine run. She has since been inspired to become a professional sports athletic trainer and EMT, running to “finish the run that he never got to finish.”
  • Brianna Messina, Long Island, N.Y. – Brianna has run marathons in the past, but the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will be her first one since coming out as a transgender woman last November. She is currently undergoing gender-affirming care and is running to prove to herself and others that she is still the same person, no matter the challenges or changes she may experience. Brianna, an electrician for “Maybe Happy Ending” on Broadway, is running to raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
  • Dave Obelkevich, New York – Dave is the longest-running New York City Marathon Streaker and the only person to have completed every single New York City Marathon since the course first expanded to all five boroughs in 1976. Dave’s streak has endured through broken ribs and a leg-threatening popliteal aneurysm in 2020.
  • Griffin Oleynick, New York – The last time Griffin ran a marathon, he was preparing to enter an Italian monastery. After surviving abuse from a monk, he left and worked on his mental health. Running became a tool to rebuild his life. Griffin lost weight, found community through the Prospect Park Track Club, and reconciled with his father after a period of estrangement. He is running the TCS New York City Marathon to celebrate how far he’s come since his last marathon a decade ago.
  • Caleb Prewitt, Jacksonville, Fla. – When Caleb, 19, crosses the finish line, he will become the youngest-known person with Down syndrome to finish the TCS New York City Marathon, a title he already holds for both the Chicago and London Marathons. He started running during the pandemic with his mother and runs marathons to challenge perceptions and raise awareness of the possibilities for people with Down syndrome. He will also raise funds for the USA Triathlon Foundation.
  • Smita Rajgopal, New York – Smita was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder as an adult and has experienced multiple psychiatric hospitalizations. Since the diagnosis, she has worked to challenge the stigma around the often-misunderstood illness by showcasing the person behind the diagnosis, including her identity as a runner, accomplished entrepreneur, and circus aerialist.
  • Giovanni Kyle Sabio, Brooklyn, N.Y. – Giovanni was born in Manila, Philippines, and grew up unhoused. As an adult, running and higher education have given him agency and independence, ensuring he never finds himself in that position again. Through running, he has found therapy, confidence, and a community he can rely on.
  • Sarah Sleva, Pittsburgh – Sarah was diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis in 2024 after a series of painful and mysterious symptoms. She has since undergone two major surgeries, including gallbladder removal, a total hysterectomy, and bowel resection. She is running her first-ever marathon with Team EndoStrong to raise funds and awareness for the Endometriosis Foundation.
  • Kyle Stepp, Albuquerque, N.M. – At age 14, Kyle was diagnosed with stage IV osteosarcoma, and after he lived with chronic pain for more than a decade, a mountain biking accident led to an above-the-knee amputation. He embraced adaptive sports, representing the United States in international para triathlon competition and winning several medals. He has since helped launch the So Every BODY Can Move campaign, expanding prosthetic insurance coverage in 15 states. Kyle is running the TCS New York City Marathon with NYRR Team for Climate, raising funds to help offset the environmental impact of New York Road Runners events.
  •  Jesús Trejo, Greenville, S.C. – Jesús is on the autism spectrum and is the father of a non-verbal Level 3 autistic son, whom he hopes to inspire through his strength and resilience. In January, he struggled to finish 6 kilometers in an hour—now he is determined to challenge misconceptions about invisible disabilities like autism, particularly within the Latino community.
  • Nicole Ver Kuilen, Vancouver, Wash. – After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, Nicole had her leg amputated at age 10. She did not have access to the prosthetic care she needed, so she abandoned athletics until she rediscovered running in college. She learned how hard it was to get an athletic prosthetic covered by insurance and completed a 1,500-mile triathlon along the West Coast to raise awareness. She has since become an advocate, founding Forrest Stump and working with the Amputee Coalition to promote legislation for insurance companies to cover athletic prosthetics nationwide.

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About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970–2026)

Initially run in 1970 as four-plus laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time on Oct. 24, 1976, to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro marathon course and setting a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Produced by the world’s premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently one of the largest marathons in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.

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 nearly 60,000 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.