From Deadlines to Finish Lines: How Prosekians Go the Extra Mile

People who work together do a lot together – take calls, send emails, prepare for meetings – the list goes on. But something special happens when colleagues connect through experiences beyond the day-to-day.

This year, that connection has taken the form of marathon training, with eight Prosekians training for one of the toughest challenges out there: 26.2 miles.

Earlier this fall, several of our colleagues crossed the finish line at the Chicago Marathon, while others are now gearing up for the New York City Marathon on November 2^nd. By race day, these runners will have logged hundreds of miles – fine-tuning their fuel strategies, tackling hills, and finding the perfect sneakers – all while embodying the spirit of perseverance and community that defines Prosek.

Meet our marathoners and read their stories below.

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Allie Rosenfeld, Account Supervisor, New York

The New York City Marathon has been my favorite day of the year since I moved to the city. The marathon has always been both intimidating and exciting, and finally, last year I thought, “I want to do that.”

I’m a firm believer that if you have a desire to do something outside of your comfort zone, you have to do it!

On race day, I can’t wait to run through all five boroughs, experience the day as a participant, and see my friends and family at the finish line in Central Park.

I am not a runner by trade, but I’m competitive, and training for the race has been a rewarding challenge and provided me with a tangible goal. I am so excited to be running this year in memory of my grandfather with Team for Kids, an organization that supports New York Road Runners’ youth and community programs, helping to develop and encourage healthier lives and stronger communities through running.

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Colleen Condon, Senior Account Executive, Boston

I grew up watching my dad run and train for marathons and races of all lengths, who took after grandpa. Coupled with my drive to compete from my years as a basketball and soccer player, it almost felt inevitable that I would eventually run a marathon.

I took part in the Boston Marathon in 2023, but as a native of Chicagoland, the Chicago Marathon holds a special place in my heart. There was, and still is, nothing like race day: the endless amounts of supporters, the music, the energy amongst runners and spectators alike, the outfits, the smiles, and for me in Chicago, my friends and family. It makes those 4+ months of hard work all worth it.

One thing I have learned about marathon training is that it isn’t about the glitz and the glam of race day; it’s about the work that you did to get there. The work that you put in when no one is watching.

Something I have learned in my time at Prosek is that the same also holds true in our careers. We want to nail the presentation, we want to impress our senior team members, we want to deliver value to the firm and our or clients, but to do that, you have to push yourself. In marathon training, it’s gutting out 10 miles in the rain; in PR, it’s staying late to finish a media strategy.

I ran Chicago for those I run with and work with who put in the work when no one is watching. I am honored that I had so many people to support me along the way.

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Grace Hayes, Account Executive, New York

Running was never something on my radar. That was until I attended Boston College, perched right on mile 21 of the Boston Marathon route. Watching runners push past each year sparked an “I want to do that” moment, and by the end of my senior year, I did. Climbing Heartbreak Hill, sprinting down Boylston, taking the left on Hereford – I was instantly hooked. Hundreds of miles later, I’m thrilled to be lacing up my sneakers again for the 2025 New York City Marathon.

This year, I’m honored to run in support of Answer The Call, an incredible foundation that provides financial assistance and a strong network of support to the families of New York City Firefighters, Port Authority Police, and EMS Personnel who have been tragically lost in the line of duty.

Inspired by its mission and the heroes it commemorates, I feel privileged to be a part of this team and look forward to celebrating the day alongside my Prosek colleagues!

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Jennifer O’Sullivan, Senior Account Executive, Boston

Growing up around Boston, Marathon Monday was always a big deal. I loved feeling the energy of the city, seeing runners push themselves, and always being inspired to lace up my own shoes at the end of the day. That inspiration finally came to life in 2023 when I ran my first marathon in Philly, and again this past October, when I ran the Chicago Marathon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The miles meant even more knowing they contributed to our group’s fundraising of over $1 million, ensuring families facing childhood cancer never receive a bill.

Excitement and exhaustion go hand in hand in any marathon, but seeing the camaraderie of so many people moving toward the same goal made it a little easier. Running through Chicago’s 29 neighborhoods, I was lucky to have friends by my side – both on the course and cheering from the sidelines – helping me reach the finish line. What I continue to take away from my marathons and apply to everyday life is that being challenged is a must, and real progress comes from consistency and discipline. I’m excited for whatever marathon comes next!

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Marisa Gregory, Account Supervisor, Connecticut

This year, I ran the Chicago Marathon with Girls in the Game, a charity focused on providing sports, health and leadership programs to Chicago schools and community centers. Growing up, sports have always been a big part of my life, and I missed the discipline and spirit of being an athlete. Training and finishing the Chicago Marathon brought all of these feelings back and more. The energy on race day is unmatched, I couldn’t even hear my music over the crowds cheering; and any time I felt tired, I was constantly uplifted by the support and love from my family, friends, and the running community.

Training for a marathon helps you become physically and mentally stronger. At Prosek, we are equipped with great mantras to lean back on when feeling confused or defeated such as “solve don’t dwell” or “just ask.” These mantras reinforce our culture and help us get through difficult situations. Knowing how much these mantras help me get through challenges I face at work, I wanted to implement this practice within my marathon training. Looking back, I am so grateful that I did. Not only did I come up with so many of my own mantras such as “strong mind, strong body” and “hold steady,” but also, my favorite takeaway from the marathon was hearing from my friends, family, and fellow runners what mantras motivate them. I have now stored away sayings such as “forward is forward” and “tough races make tough runners” to my arsenal of mantras.

This experience reminded me how lucky I am to be surrounded by colleagues, friends, and family that empower me with tools to exceed my limits both personally and professionally.

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Peter Gavaris, Associate Vice President, Washington, D.C.

Running the New York City Marathon has been a personal goal of mine for many years. I grew up on Long Island, and from an early age would visit family in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, who lived near 4th Avenue — a prime spot to watch runners as they entered the borough. Every year, we’d wake up early to join the crowds and cheer as the runners sped by. The energy the city brings on race day is unmatched, and I always knew I wanted to be a part of it. I first started running in 2018 after my father — then in his fifties — decided to run the marathon for the first time. Watching him cross that finish line inspired and motivated me, and from that point on, I set my heart on one day doing the same.

I qualified through the New York Road Runners’ 9+1 program, which made this race feel like a true milestone in my running journey. Completing the required races and volunteer work kept me motivated and connected to the NYC running community, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that effort culminate in the marathon itself.

As cliché as it sounds, I’m most looking forward to experiencing the energy of the crowd and seeing the city across all five boroughs. Having grown up in New York, I have a personal connection to each one — my parents grew up in Brooklyn and Queens, my grandmother’s family first settled on Staten Island after immigrating from Greece, and I spent years living on the Upper East Side. There’s something truly special about running alongside thousands of people who’ve trained for months for the same goal. I know the atmosphere will be electric, and it will mean so much to see family and friends cheering me on in places that hold such deep personal meaning.

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Sarah Levine, Vice President, New York

The NYC Marathon has been one of my favorite days of the year since I moved to the city in 2017. As a (now former) Upper East Sider, the energy, especially around miles 16-17 on First Avenue, is absolutely electric, and all types of people from around the city come together. If you look at my PTO record, you’ll see that I have consistently taken that Monday off for the past eight years!

Over the years, I have always been involved in various forms of athletics, including running. I had done a few half marathons and always said that was enough for me, but after feeling the emotions of all the runners in 2023 and having a few friends run, I knew it was time for me to give it a try. I competed in the New York Road Runners 9+1 program in 2024 to qualify for the marathon in 2025, and now here we are, almost to race day!

Training has been extremely challenging and rewarding – I am so proud of how far I’ve come and how dedicated I have been for months on end. I am so excited to see all my hard work come to fruition, and to celebrate with all of NYC and the friends and family that are coming to cheer us on. I am most looking forward to going over the Queensboro Bridge and running into my old neighborhood in the UES, where all my friends plan to wait for me!

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Sydney Cohen, Account Supervisor, New York

I started running again in 2023 after a years-long hiatus, mostly with the goal of adding some variation into my workout routine. A marathon, let alone a half marathon, seemed like a pipe dream considering I barely had the courage to run outside (I thought I was too slow to keep up with the West Side Highway crowd).

I vividly remember the day of the 2023 New York City Marathon when, like most years, I had the passing thought of, “maybe that will be me one day.” But unlike most years, this time I actually went for a run that day and decided that I would make this pipe dream a reality. Fast forward exactly one year and a couple of injury setbacks later, I signed up for 2025 as soon as I saw the registration open.

I half-joke that it’s become more fun to tell people that I’m training for a marathon than it is to actually do it. In all seriousness, while I hate to be that person, running helps me stay sane – even the worst runs make me feel better afterwards – and this process has been incredibly challenging yet rewarding.

I will be running for Team for Kids, which supports New York Road Runners’ youth and community programs. TFK’s programs have served 2.5 million students in NYC and across the United States with the important goal of helping kids find a way that they like to stay active, whether that’s by running or not. I’m honored to be supporting a charity that has made a real difference in so many local communities.