In the days leading up to the New York City Marathon, Runner's World editors asked as many runners as they could a simple question.
Dan Oh, of Leonia, NJ: “To overcome my diabetes!”
Laurie Hadwick, of Reno, NV: “To be with my 5:20 girls!! When else can I take care of myself and develop lifelong friendships? We support each other through the ups and downs of life and encourage strong mind and strong bodies. Reno Envy!!”
Natalie Waugh, of New Plymouth, New Zealand: “I run for my mental health, to keep fit and to feel good! I believe running, especially training for a marathon, creates the state of mind that anything is possible.”
Savanna Eva, of New Zealand: “This is my first marathon, and to run New York has been my dream for so long. I run because I feel inspired to do better than before. I also run for that runner’s high and for people who are unable to run themselves.”
Andy Chan, of Singapore: “I run because I enjoy that moment where I am just me and myself.”
Carmen Balentine, of Metuchen, NJ: “Running is a great activity for managing depression and anxiety. It lifts my spirits, connects me with nature and to appreciate the beauty of life. I love it!”
Collin Zeffer, of Philadelphia, PA: “I run for steak dinners.”
Philip Mueller, of New York: “I run to feel fast and free like a kid again; I run to calm my mind and to be in the moment; I run for the challenge, for the chance to grow through adversity; and I run to remember and honor those I’ve lost.”
Jackie Knox, of Lake City, Florida: “I started running in NYC 30 years ago. I did many NYRR races. I then moved out of state to MN and then to FL but continued running and moved into marathon distances. I’m excited to be back in NYC 30 years later to run the NYC marathon and get back in touch with the lady that got me running, Jillian Lazaridis.”
Krystalee Olivera, of New York: “To prove to myself that I am capable of anything I set my mind to.”
Steve Chapman, of Armonk, NY: “I’m running NYC this year to raise money for Project Purple—a charity focused on early detection of Pancreatic cancer. I’m running in honor of my mother in laws (Gail Schwartz) current fight with this awful disease!”
Catherine Luciani, of Fairfield, CT: “I run to prove to myself that if I set my mind to something, if I am willing to put the time and work in, I can achieve anything. Running, for me, pushes me not only to get out into the world away from my phone, but also into a positive, active mindset that then motivates me to tackle other challenges in my life. This year I chose to take on my first marathon, the NYC Marathon, after a particularly hard start to the year with the passing of my grandma. So I am running to turn 2019 around!”
Sarah Klena, of Brooklyn, NY: “This year I’m running the NYC marathon after having a heart attack at age 31. This is my first marathon after my heart attack.”
Carolyn Hehir, of Bronx, NY: “For the runner’s high. And to catch the city bus!”
Johan Nordquist, of Boden, Sweden: “I run to feel well and because I enjoy traveling around the world running marathons.”
Richard Shane, of New York City: “Because I am cured of epilepsy via brain surgery.”
Kris Shaw, of Nassau, Bahamas: “I run so that I can justify the eating afterwards. Beer and pizza!”
Victoria Ridge, of Nassau, Bahamas: “I run for charity, I run because it makes me feel happy and accomplished, and I love that it brings people together.”
Kelly Maloney-Girardi, of Worthington, Ohio: “I run for fitness, so I can enjoy as many twirlers as I can, and to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors and my fellow runners.”
Dennis O’Donnell, of New York City: “To stay alive. Enjoy the view.”
Roberto Cuellar, of New York: “Well I started running because a friend invited me to run with her then loved it day after day and when I went to a race I knew I never would live without running. Then I started running to represent my country at each race. I hope I never get an injury or stop doing what I love most.”
Collin Zeffer, of Philadelphia, PA: “I run for steak dinners.”
Norma Blake, of Mexico: “Because when someone told me I was not able to do because of a heart arrhythmia, I realized that my mind would follow my heart...and the NYC marathon will be my fourth marathon.”
Songwut Khunathinan, of Thailand: “Before I was a fat, loser guy but the marathon has given me new life.”
Vinay Bhardwaj, of Jamnagar, India: “To motivate people and for the fitness.”
Tricia Steinmann, of Croton on Hudson, NY: “To clear my mind of the clutter and unlock my creativity.”
Marcelo Mollard, Buenos Aires, Argentina: “Para superar limites, disfrutar corriendo y siempre plantear objetivos.”
Carla Rose, of New York: “I began my running this year on June 29, 2019. I was asked to join a group of 100 people from my Tony Robbins community to raise money for the charity, Team for Kids. In order to do that I had to raise $2500 for an entry into the NYC Marathon and train for 24 weeks. At first I said, “I am not a runner and I don’t think I can raise $2500.” Well on June 29th I entered my first race, a five miler in Central Park in New York. After that I officially became a runner and I am now hooked.”
Carolyn Hehir, of Bronx, NY: “For the runner’s high. And to catch the city bus!”
Shamz Azanedo, of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ: “I run to feel alive and to feel the most free I can be. I have run 20 marathons. NYC 2019 will be my 21st. I have completed a marathon on every continent of the world. Running is life!”
Maria Cesca, of Deerfield Beach, FL: “To be happy, healthy, and a better person.”
Christine McSpirit, of Vernon, NJ: “I love running and I have been running since high school and I coach high school track. I have been trying to run a marathon in all 50 states. So far I have run 44 marathons in 41 states. I love the fact that yo get to meet people from all walks of live and all over the world.”
Gennaro Carotenuto, of Napoli, Italia: “To be free.”
Tricia Steinmann, of Croton on Hudson, NY: “To clear my mind of the clutter and unlock my creativity.”
Seth Herman, of Jerusalem, Israel: “Keeps me healthy!”
Nilesh Valenkar, of Mumbai, India: “I run to keep myself fit and I also run to spread the awareness about fitness.”
Walter Perez, of Brooklyn, NY: “Respect the Belly! I run for health, endurance and stamina. Also, running makes me happy! My ever eternal fight against my belly has brought me here.”
Martelle Warner, of New York, NY: “To raise Money for Team for Kids!”
Amy Pine, of Sacramento, CA: “I run because it brings me joy and gives me a purpose. I’ve been able to travel the world and see what I’m capable of. It’s been a parallel to life and shown me determination, motivation, and how strong I can be. It’s also been my therapy through rough times. And Sunday I will get my sixth WMM star medal and I’m so excited!!
Roberto Ruiz, of Logroño, Spain: “Speed, freedom, achievement; these are the feelings I feel when I run. I chose to run the NYC marathon because this is the place where I can combine these experiences with a visit to an amazing city.”
Julia Church, of Adelaide, Australia: “I run for health and well being and it is the best way to travel the world and meet new friends.”
Gennaro Carotenuto, of Napoli, Italia: “To be free.”
Jarrad Crighton, of New York, NY: “To chase my running goals, and stay fit as I get older.”
Antonia Quinn, of Brooklyn, NY: “A group of moms in my kids’ school wanted to do a 5K. I got a stress fracture during the race but I came back. The next year I was top in my age group! Redemption!!!”
Christine Tagayun, of Huntsville, AL: “I run to remind myself I have no limits and to encourage others to seize the day!”
Diana Strauss, of New York, NY: “I run to experience joy. I run to release myself from my past. I run for strength and confidence. I run to FLY—there is freedom from fear and anxiety in running. There is a new, healthy and powerful body from running. There is joy and happiness in running. I run to celebrate my body, and the gratitude I have for what I can do—and how it supported me through dark times, even when I did not treat it well.”
Victor Barkoski, of Northville, MI: “I love the competition, NYC 2019 will be my 80th marathon. I am now 70 and I ran my first in 1978.”
Stephanie Crook, of Valparaiso, IN: “I run because I have multiple sclerosis. I want to lead by example in letting people know that being diagnosed with MS doesn’t mean I run because I have multiple sclerosis. I want to lead by example in letting people know that being diagnosed with MS doesn’t mean that you have to stop being physically active. It can be difficult and it is different than before but remaining physically active is important as part of retaining those abilities moving forward. I was a runner before diagnosis and I will remain a runner. I want others diagnosed to see that we have MS, MS doesn’t have us. I am an MS warrior.”
Victor Barkoski, of Northville, MI: “I love the competition, NYC 2019 will be my 80th marathon. I am now 70 and I ran my first in 1978.”
Jennifer Jansonius, of Broomfield, CO: “I have a rare bone disorder that when diagnosed a few years ago, made running something impossible for me. I refused to give up and continue to run with hypophosphotasia despite suffering five femoral stress fractures and one tibia stress fracture. I have since completed over 30 half marathons, nine full marathons (three Boston) and hopefully the New York City Marathon!!
Jessica Aletor, of Lagos, Nigeria: “Running helps clear my mind whether before my day starts or after it ends. It is a place where I find solace and confidence that I can DO HARD THINGS through Christ. I have found true friendship and a community through running. In Nigeria, there are only two people who have completed the six Abbot World Marathon Majors. It is also my dream to be amongst the first 10 to complete it and hopefully the third female. The discipline and consistency from training transcends into every other sphere in my life.”
Marie Bartoletti, of Pittsburgh, PA: “I pace every week. I love to pace runners in races. To learn more about my running journey, check out my book, “Perseverance: How a Determined Athlete Tenaciously Overcame a Stroke.”
Erica Hicks, of Detroit, MI: “I run because it helps me to maintain a quality of life for my health. I also run for those who can’t! Running is cheaper than therapy!”
Dorian Davis, of San Diego, CA:“I run because a year and a half ago I had an ACL and meniscus surgery. During the period I was immobile and realized how much I had taken running for granted prior to injury. I decided in those first few days after surgery that when I was capable again, not only would I run but I would enjoy it. I signed up for my first half marathon after watching and being inspired by seven of my close friends run the NYC Marathon in 2018. A year and a day after surgery, I ran the 2019 United NYC Half Marathon.”
Jean-Philippe Proulx, of Ottawa, Ontario: “To push my limits.”
Charles De San Pedro Jr, of New York, NY: “It empowers and strengthens me. I could have died in a car accident 21 years ago. I survived and went through a nine month recovery process, for a compound fracture in my left leg. I developed an infection in the leg, and one of the screws, in the rod inserted through my knee broke. I want to use running, and my story to empower others!!”
Johana Reed, of Ashburn, VA: “To show I can after being hit by a car and breaking my hip during a run. 15 months ago, I was hit by a hit-and-run driver. As I crossed the crosswalk, the driver was not looking and caused me to fly over my dog. I spent over five months on crutches and then started walking. NYC is my second marathon in two weeks and my second since the accident. My dog, fortunately, was not hurt. Overall, NYC is marathon 162.”
Jepser Sommer, of Copenhagen, Denmark: “All bad things go with the sweat. Pure purification.”
Ginette Gelardi, of Chesapeake, VA: “It’s my therapy.”
Jepser Sommer, of Copenhagen, Denmark: “All bad things go with the sweat. Pure purification.”
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