Give & Take: When the NYC Marathon Means More Than 26.2 Miles

This year, seven Prosekians are set to lace up their sneakers and run all five boroughs in the 2024 New York City Marathon! By the time race day comes on November 3, runners will have trained hundreds of miles over the last few months in preparation. Perfecting their fuel strategy, running hills, and finding the perfect sneakers are just some of the ways the runners prepare for the 26.2 miles to the finish line.

But that’s not the only goal many runners have been working towards.

Thousands of runners have committed to not only running the race, but also fundraising for their favorite charities to earn their spots. Last year’s charity runners raised over $66 million for deserving organizations across the country, and the world.

Five of our very own are running this year’s marathon for charities of their choice – their stories are below.

Be sure to be on watch for all six Prosekians at this year’s marathon on November 3rd!

Taylor Donahue, Director, Investor Relations, New York

I’ve always wanted to take on the challenge of running a marathon, especially one as iconic as NYC. I’m excited for a beautiful, crisp fall day to run through the city and greet my friends and family at the finish line in Central Park.

It’s a bonus to be able to do so on behalf of an organization so dear to my heart – PAWS NY.

It’s an organization that helps New York City’s most vulnerable residents keep their pets in their homes by providing volunteer support with day-to-day pet care. I’ve been volunteering with the organization for a few years now, and previously ran the 2022 Brooklyn Half Marathon on their behalf. I’ve walked a few different dogs over the years, building relationships with their owners, and I currently walk a dog every Wednesday named Georgie. My walks with Georgie are the highlight of my week, especially since I don’t have a pet of my own in the City.

We all know how crucial it is to maintain the human-animal bond and how important our pets are to us, and I’m thrilled to be supporting an organization that helps keep pets in their homes and builds a connected community amongst pet owners and volunteers.

Alex Schaffer, Senior Account Executive, New York

Every year, like everyone else, I become so inspired by the NYC Marathon and think “I’m going to do that.” This year, that feeling stuck – I really wanted to prove to myself I could do it. I grew up playing basketball all year round, so running, especially distance, was always a punishment. Now, I’m trying to unlearn that mindset and see it as fun and joyous.

While it is so hard to willingly do something I’m so below average in – this has been a great exercise in challenging my perfectionism as well.

Additionally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t credit my manager, Emily Roy, who ran NYC last year and inspired me greatly.

I’m running the NYC Marathon specifically because it’s a party! Of course it’s still a very serious race, but there’s a different feeling to it than other marathons across the world – there’s something special about runners of all paces and experiences coming together to write this love letter to New York City.

On race day, I’m really looking forward to running across the Queensboro Bridge – I live and run on the east side, so I have a stare down with it almost every day. From what I’ve heard, it gets so quiet on that bridge, but as you get closer to Manhattan, it gets louder and louder and the cheers are unmatched. What a metaphor for New York itself, right? When I get frustrated on my quiet, lonely runs, I remember that’s not how it will always be!

As Katherine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon once said, “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”

I am running as a part of Team For Kids (aka TFK)! As someone who was able to play sports, as well as had the resources to excel in my athletic endeavors growing up and through college, I wanted to help kids who may not have the same opportunity. Every kid deserves to discover what type of movement and exercise is their favorite, and every kid deserves to have confidence and feel strong. That’s what TFK aims to do for children across all five boroughs.

Grace Hayes, Assistant Account Executive, Boston

In 2014, I laced up my sneakers for the first time to run my hometown’s annual Turkey Trot. That cold November morning, I ran for my begging sister, who did not want to go alone and promised there would be apple cider waiting at the finish line. Ten years, and hundreds of trots later, I have yet to unlace my sneakers.

Today, I run for the reprieve, adventure, and community running provides. It is a humbling discipline of which I find unlimited challenge and reward.

On November 3^rd, I run for Answer The Call, a benefit fund that provides financial assistance and a network of support to the families of New York City Police Officers, Firefighters, Port Authority Police, and EMS Personnel who have been killed 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!

Madison Hanlon, Vice President, New York

I still remember the first marathon Sunday I attended in New York. The energy. The people. The crowds. The support. It’s so powerful, it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

To back up, I’m not a runner by trade. On the contrary, I grew up playing basketball. Suicide sprint drills were about the longest distance I would run, and even that felt long. But attending the 2023 marathon sparked something in me. Seeing more than 50k people of different backgrounds, ages, and reasons for running through the five boroughs of New York inspired me to sign up immediately on the train ride home. Can you tell I’m an all or nothing type of person?

The last 16 weeks of training have been incredibly humbling to say the least. The physical aspects of the course have its challenges, but the mental discipline has truly changed my perspective on what one can accomplish with some effort and grit. This is something I will take with me after this experience.

This year, I’m running with Team For Kids, a charity that has raised over $100 million to support New York Road Runners’ youth and community programs. I was inspired by the opportunities and real impact Team for Kids has made in communities.

Jane Fanning, Assistant Account Executive, New York

I started my running journey, like many people, during the pandemic. Having just been sent home from college and my volleyball team on campus, running around my neighborhood in the mornings offered a sense of normalcy (and a chance to connect with my teammates on Strava). Since graduating, running has remained a part of my routine and something I’ve grown to love (I can confidently say I never predicted that would happen). As a “transplant”, the hours spent training in Central Park and on the West Side Highway offer both a chance to explore, and have given me a sense of connection to New York.

I first ran the NYC marathon back in 2022 and knew I had to do it again. The crowd and the City are electric on marathon day, and I can’t wait!

This year, I am running for The New York Foundling – a child and family services organization based in Chelsea that offers wrap around supportive services to New Yorkers of all ages. I originally was introduced to the organization as an employee and spent a year and a half working in fundraising, before coming to Prosek. I’ve remained involved with their mission, as I truly think they offer life changing services across a wide range of needs. I am excited to be running the marathon both in New York and for such an amazing New York focused charity.