Running for a reason: Three inspiring Staten Islanders running the NYC marathon – SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When Anthony Maranzano was diagnosed with high blood pressure at age 40, he decided he needed a life change.

Lynn Decker started running as a part of her weight-loss journey in 2016.

Robert Capolongo is fighting for his son Michael, who was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Part of his fight is to raise awareness and money by running the marathon.

These three inspiring Staten Islanders will join over 50,000 runners at the 49th annual New York Road Runner’s 2019 NYC Marathon on Sunday.

For Maranzano, this year’s race will be his fourth marathon.

He originally tried to combat his high blood pressure issues by exercising more and running, but his doctor said he could get a stroke from running and recommended medication. He went on medication for a short period of time, but kept his promise to himself to continue to get in shape. The now 47-year-old Great Kills resident is currently completely off medication.

“It’s been a change of lifestyle for the better,” Maranzano said. “And here I am 7 years later and I’m still going.”

Decker, 56, joined Weight Watchers in 2016 and stumbled across an app called “Couch to 5K,” which had a nine-week program for beginner runners. She ran her first 5K on Staten Island after finishing the program and placed third in her age group. “I got my very first medal and after that I was hooked,” the Bay Terrace resident recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh, I guess I can do this.’”

Both Decker and Maranzano joined the Staten Island Athletic Club which helped support their healthy lifestyle journeys. Decker even became the treasurer of the organization. She also has a small running support group, called Women on the Run, where a few of her friends meet at Great Kills Park at 7 a.m. twice a week to train.

Decker’s motto is “one mile at a time,” which she has tattooed on her right arm. “When I’m running and feel like I can’t go any further, in my mind I just say ‘one mile at a time’ and the miles just click off,” she said.

Capolongo, 49, from Annadale, has logged close to 400 miles since July and ran through three pairs of sneakers. His son is what keeps him moving.

When Michael was 4 years old, he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) which is “a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact,” according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. There currently is no cure.

Capolongo started the charity Michael’s Cause to help raise awareness about his son’s disease and to “direct every dollar to research to try and find better treatments and a future cure.”

Michael tracks his father’s runs using an app to create the feeling that they’re training together.

“It means a great deal to him,” he said.

While Capolongo admits he is not a long-distance runner, he has been diligently training and hopes to finish the 26.2 miles.

“I always tell somebody who starts running, ‘You’re saving your own life,'” Decker said. “You just have to believe it, so keep moving.”