New York, October 8, 2024 – With 26 days until the TCS New York City Marathon – the BEST DAY in New York City every year – nonprofit New York Road Runners (NYRR) announced the members of Team Inspire, a group of 26 TCS New York City Marathon runners – one for each mile – with the most compelling stories.
New York Road Runners has brought together first-time marathoners, seasoned veterans, and charity runners putting purpose behind their miles to create the 2024 Team Inspire. Members vary in age, gender, hometown, pace, and background, and who have all been touched by the transformative power of running. A snapshot of the full TCS New York City Marathon field, Team Inspire represents the heart of the marathon and embodies the spirit of New York City.
“Every year on the first Sunday in November, two million spectators line the streets of New York City to cheer on strangers running the TCS New York City Marathon” said Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO, New York Road Runners. “Among those runners will be 26 incredible members of Team Inspire whose powerful stories remind us why New York City is the best city in the world and the TCS New York City Marathon is the best day of the year.”
More than 1.4 million people have crossed the iconic TCS New York City Marathon finish line since 1970 and 50,000+ runners from all 50 states and over 150 countries are expected at this year’s race. The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the most inclusive and accessible sporting events in the world, with the first finisher and final finisher running the same course on the same day.
Select members of Team Inspire will share their stories and preview the TCS New York City Marathon on a panel at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub on Tuesday, October 8.
Team Inspire members for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon:
Courtney Knights of Hamilton Heights, New York, N.Y. – A few weeks after running the TCS New York City Marathon with Susan G. Komen in memory of her grandmother who passed away from breast cancer, Courtney will start surgery to reduce her risk of breast and ovarian cancers. She inherited the BRCA2 gene and running has immensely helped her mental health.
Danil Farkash of Forest Hills, Queens, N.Y. – At 88 years old, Danil is one of the oldest participants in the TCS New York City Marathon. Born in Ukraine, he came to the United States in 1979, but did not start running until he was in his 70s. Since 2009 Danil has run every TCS New York City Marathon.
Ido Simyoni of Long Island City, Queens, N.Y. – Born with a rare disorder that causes benign tumors to grow in his body, Ido discovered one in his forehead in 2023. While recovering from surgery, he recorded a video from the hospital promising to run the TCS New York City Marathon.
Janie Deegan of Upper West Side, New York, N.Y. – Janie is a native New Yorker and entrepreneur who started Janie’s Life-Changing Baked Goods in 2015 after spending years struggling with addiction and homelessness in her early 20s.
Jasmine Murrell and Kevin Orcel of Somerset, N.J. – Jasmine and Kevin both have glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that progressively cause vision loss. They met at a goalball tournament, and quickly bonded over their disabilities and love of adaptive sports. This will be the couple’s first TCS New York City Marathon and they train with Achilles International.
Joel Kaufman of Bayside, Queens, N.Y. – The 2023 TCS New York City Marathon Official Final Finisher has raised over $150,000 for Team in Training in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Johnny Pye of Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, N.Y. – When he was 32, Johnny suffered a stroke, resulting in the loss of his vocabulary and long-term memory. He gained over 100 pounds, but one day started walking, and eventually running.
Julio Perez Arrieta of Milltown, N.J. – The first custodian to be part of TCS Teachers, a group of 50 teachers running the TCS New York City Marathon, Julio credits running with giving him peace. He is inspired by his parents, both teachers, and his late sister, who also taught at Julio’s school.
Kia Copeland of Harlem, New York, N.Y. – In 2011, Kia found running through NYRR Run for the Future. It changed her life, giving her the confidence to pursue running collegiately. Now a NYPD officer, Kia continues to run with the NYPD Run Club and is preparing for her first marathon.
LaDawn Jefferson of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn, N.Y. – While battling stage 4 breast cancer, LaDawn discovered Red Door Community so her sons could connect with other kids of sick parents. Now in remission, she will run on behalf of Red Door Community.
Larry Lewis of South Slope, Brooklyn, N.Y. – An Achilles International athlete, a leading adaptive running nonprofit, and TCS New York City Marathon Streaker who was planning to run his 34th race in 2018 but suffered a stroke a couple days before. Having to relearn how to walk, Larry will return to the TCS New York City Marathon as a duo team with an Achilles International guide pushing him in a racing chair.
Luke Carron of East Village, New York, N.Y. – After the death of his newborn in 2022, Luke experienced debilitating depression and addiction. Running with Front Runners New York was critical to his recovery, and in the process, he lost 100 pounds. Luke and his husband recently welcomed a baby girl, and he is running to honor his family’s healing journey.
Mitch Strong of Flushing, Queens, N.Y. – After a 36-year hiatus, 76-year-old NYRR Striders coach and Air Force veteran Mitch will return to the TCS New York City Marathon for the ninth time. Motivated by his love of running, which he credits for keeping him alive during his prostate cancer battle, Mitch has coached for over 25 years.
Nathan Kahaialii of Lahaina, Hawaii – Nate is a teacher whose community experienced devastation in August 2023 when fires spread on the eve of the first day of school. While evacuating Lahaina, Nate grabbed a pair of running sneakers, which became the only possession to survive the fires.
Patty Ortega of Hunts Point, Bronx, N.Y. — Patty is an immigrant from Ecuador who is running the TCS New York City Marathon to inspire her son and other kids with special needs. Three years ago, she introduced Rising New York Road Runners to her son’s Scout Pack, and feels running is the one place where the children don’t have to think about their disability. Before she tackles 26.2 miles the Scout Pack will participate in the Rising NYRR Kids Kickoff youth event.
Ram Hayon of Tidhar, Israel – Ram and two of his run club teammates were running in the Erez Crossing near Gaza on October 7, 2023, when they were hit with rockets. As the lone survivor of the run, Ram will run to honor the friends he lost.
Rashida Santos of Boston – An NYRR Team for Kids runner, Rashida in 2016 unexpectedly took custody of her sister’s three young children. Later diagnosed with diabetes, she and her family started running together to build healthy habits. She feels a responsibility as a woman of color to be the thing she wanted to see—everyday runners who look like her.
Rodrigo, James, and Justin Villavicencio of Plainview, N.Y. – These three generations of athletes and NYRR members will run side-by-side to celebrate patriarch Rodrigo’s 20th TCS New York City Marathon.
Shaquille Roberts of Highbridge, Bronx, N.Y. – An immigrant from St. Kitts who survived a house fire as a child that left 40 percent of his body burned, Shaquille later moved to the Bronx and felt disconnected from the running community. He co-founded the Bronx Burners, a run club that makes running more accessible and has raised more than $60,000 in youth scholarship funds, in addition to distributing New Balance shoes to kids in the Bronx.
Sovena Ngeth of Union City, N.J. – Sovena is a second-generation Cambodian American running her first marathon with Apex for Youth, a charity empowering underserved Asian and immigrant youth.
Tim Norton of Rosebank, Staten Island, N.Y. – A Staten Islander for nearly 20 years, Tim lives across from the TCS New York City Marathon start and works as an FDNY firefighter in the borough. In 2007, he made a $100 bet with a friend that he could run the marathon with little to no training. Years later, Tim is preparing to run his seventh TCS New York City Marathon with the FDNY Run Club.
Trevon Bosley of Chicago – An activist and board co-chair of charity partner March for Our Lives, Trevon has dedicated his life to gun violence reform, following the deaths of his cousin and brother.
Zahra Biabani of Morningside Heights, New York, N.Y. – Entrepreneur, climate activist, and author, Zahra is running her first marathon with NYRR Team for Climate to raise funds and awareness for sustainability.
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 nearly a half a million New Yorkers 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 more than 50,000 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.
