Club Oktoberfest in support of Kathleen’s Marathon

If you had asked me a few years ago if I’d ever run a marathon, I would’ve laughed and said, “You’ll only find me running if someone’s chasing me.”

Then I started running last Spring, and somehow everything changed.

Since then, I’ve crossed the finish line of a half marathon and a full marathon, and this fall I’ll be taking on my biggest challenge yet: running the 2026 New York City Marathon as part of Team for Kids. I still can’t believe I’ll get to run one of the World Marathon Majors, and it’s even more meaningful knowing I’ll be doing it for such an incredible cause.

Running has become so much more than exercise for me. It’s been a source of confidence, resilience, community, and one of the best things I’ve ever done for my mental health. It’s helped me manage stress, quiet my mind, and prove to myself that I can do hard things. Looking back, I often wonder how different my younger years might have been if I’d discovered running sooner. I truly believe it could have helped me navigate some of life’s challenges with a little more confidence and a much healthier outlet.

That’s why Team for Kids resonates with me. As the charity running team of the New York Road Runners, they provide free and low-cost running, fitness, and wellness programs to more than 200,000 young people each year. They’re not just teaching kids how to run—they’re helping them build confidence, resilience, healthy habits, and a lifelong belief in themselves, regardless of their background or ability to pay.

I’m honored to run for an organization that gives kids the opportunity to discover what running gave me, only much earlier in life.

As part of this journey, I’m raising funds to help make those programs possible. Every donation, no matter the amount, directly supports these life-changing opportunities for the kids.

If you’re able to donate, I’d be incredibly grateful. If not, sharing this post or cheering me on throughout training means the world to me.

Thank you for believing in me, believing in this mission, and helping me turn 26.2 miles into something that reaches far beyond the finish line. ‍♀️