Brianna Messina: Paving the Path for Others to Follow
For Brianna Messina, the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will be a deeply meaningful milestone, marking her first marathon since publicly coming out as a transgender woman in late 2025. Although it will be her fourth marathon overall, running through the streets of New York City will represent far more than an athletic accomplishment—it will be a celebration of her transition and an opportunity to show herself and others that, despite life's challenges and changes, she is still the same person at her core.
“[I've spent] a lifetime watching others be their authentic selves, [and it] really inspired me—they showed me it’s OK, gave me the courage to come out and be myself,” Brianna said.
Inspired by others who shared their own stories, Brianna believes that if her journey can help even one person feel less alone or find the courage to live authentically, then every mile will be worthwhile. For her, the marathon is not about setting records—it is about showing up with heart, giving back to a meaningful cause, and celebrating the person she has always been.
She is running in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an organization dedicated to serving members of the entertainment industry and the LGBTQIA+ community. She sees the marathon as an opportunity to raise critical funds while using her platform to promote visibility, acceptance, and hope.
“I’ve been part of the Broadway community for 17 years now. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has been there for all of it,” Brianna said. “Running the TCS New York City Marathon gives me the opportunity to be there for [Broadway Cares], raising funds to support such a great organization.”
Brianna is a member of the Theatrical Protective Union Local One and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and currently works as an electrician on her 15th Broadway production, “Maybe Happy Ending.” She and her wife, Diana, who works in the props department for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” met while working on “Wicked” and are now raising three children together in Westbury, New York.
Beyond her running pursuits and working on Broadway, Brianna is a lieutenant with the East Meadow Fire Department and a Cub Scout leader. As a parent, first responder, theater professional, and openly transgender woman, she hopes her journey demonstrates the power of living authentically and inspires others to embrace who they are.
“Be proud of yourself, pave the pathways ahead of you, be that person you are meant to be, and you may just inspire someone else to do the same,” she said.
Brianna is part of Team Inspire, a diverse group of marathon athletes with compelling stories. Each story represents one mile of the iconic 26.2-mile course of the TCS New York City Marathon.