The Most Inspiring Moments of the New York City Marathon – runnersworld.com

Stage 4 Melanoma Survivor Finishes First Abbott World Marathon Major

Kristina Baum

In 2012, Kristina Baum went to her doctor for a bad chest cold when she noticed a “pimple” on her arm. It turned out to be the deadliest form of skin cancer called melanoma, and by the time it was discovered, it was already stage 3. After remission, it came back in 2016 in her kidney as stage 4 melanoma.

Baum used running to cope, and completed her first marathon in October of 2018. Then in December of 2018, she learned the cancer had spread to her brain. After treatment with immunotherapy, she learned in June that she had no evidence of cancer. She continued running the whole time and looked to New York as her first Abbott World Major to raise money for the .

Now working as the director of communications at office of science and technology policy at the White House, Baum believes training for this marathon showed her that she doesn’t have to put her life on hold for cancer.

“I want people to know, you can do hard things,” Baum, who finished in 5:14:35, told Runner’s World. “It takes digging deep and knowing you’re worth it. Life is worth it.

Hannah Gavios Crutches 26.2

In 2018, Hannah Gavios captured the running world’s attention when she completed NYC on elbow crutches. In 2016, the 26-year-old fell 150 feet off a cliff while escaping an attack in the jungles of Krabi, Thailand.

She fractured her spine, and initially wasn’t able to walk. But she fought through recovery and completed the 2018 race, using elbow crutches for the entire duration. Gavios returned to the streets of New York again in 2019, raising money for spinal cord injury research for Team Reeve, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. She raised over $23,000 of her $30,000 goal. She finished in 11:02:35—almost 20 minutes faster than in 2018.

This Man Was Nearly 500 Pounds. Now He Can Run 26.2

Courtesy of Marcus Cook

In 2015, Marcus Cook tipped the scales at 489 pounds. After gastric bypass surgery, the 47-year-old started tackling some of the biggest challenges in endurance. His first great accomplishment came at the Ironman World Championships in 2018, which he finished in .

While he worked toward those bigger goals, he wanted to bring part of his former self with him. So he did so, literally, by carrying with him a cardboard cutout of himself when he weighed nearly 500 pounds. He’s brought it with him to triathlons and races, and it was on hand when he took on the five boroughs for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. He finished in 7:26:13.

Sister of Gabe Grunewald Runs Marathon in Her Honor

In June, the world lost one of its most inspirational runners when Gabe Grunewald lost her battle with a rare form of cancer. The middle-distance star had continued to compete at a high level throughout her treatment, and even set up a charity, , which supports rare-cancer research and empowers all cancer survivors through physical activity.

That message is important to keep alive for Grunewald’s sister, Abigail Anderson, who ran the NYC Marathon for Brave Like Gabe this year. Her goal was to raise $3,000 for the foundation—she crushed it, raising $4,363 and running 3:08:35.

‘Water on the Brain’ Doesn‘t Keep Visually Impaired Man From NYC

Neill Biddy, who is visually impaired, lives with a condition called hydrocephalus, or a buildup of extra fluid in the brain. He has a shunt in his brain to drain out excess water.

Biddy’s life changed when he became a member of —which brings the marathon to those who might never have thought it was possible—and began working out with people with similar health struggles, including others with visual impairment.

He started running very slowly, but eventually built up his training, increasing his strength and endurance, until he was able to consider his first marathon. He finished New York in 6:36:09.

Training to Conquer the Last 10 Miles—26 Times

For the last 27 years, Michael Capiraso, the president and CEO of New York Road Runners (NYRR), has run the marathon, and each of those 27 years, Capiraso has struggled with the same thing: the final 10 miles.

Capiraso wanted 2019 to be different: He has trained by running the final 10 miles of the race 26 times, starting last November and inviting runners along the way. He finished this year in 3:51:54.

After Learning to Walk Again, NYPD Officer Takes On NYC

NYPD officer Monica Chong had just graduated the NYPD academy in 2012 when she was hurt off-duty in a vehicle accident. Her injuries included a broken femur, ankle, foot, and arm, along with a fractured femur and sacrum. At the time, the newly appointed officer was advised by her doctors to consider alternative careers, as it looked as though she would never fully recover.

However, Chong decided to persevere, first learning how to walk again and then setting one goal after another. One of those goals was to run the NYC Marathon, and this Sunday, she joined the NYPD Running Club for her second time tackling the race. She finished in 4:28:14, beating her performance from last year by over eight minutes.

‘Backwards Bill’ Is Back at NYC

One runner you’ll see if you’re behind him is “Backwards Bill”
Reilly, who has been part of since the 1980s. Reilly, who has cerebral palsy and limited use of his limbs, propelled himself backward though the streets of New York City in specially designed wheelchair for his 47th marathon. With the help of his guides, he finished in 8:19:56.

Paralyzed Former Army Sergeant Crosses Finish in Robotic Exoskeleton

In 2011, former Army sergeant Terry Vereline became paralyzed because of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory condition that targeted her brain and spinal cord, the New York Post reported. Now, thanks to the help of a ReWalk robotic exoskeleton, she was able to complete the full 26.2 miles of the NYC marathon over the course of three days.

The ReWalk robotic exoskeleton uses a wearable brace support and a computer-based control system and motion sensors to allow users with spinal cord injuries to stand up, walk, turn, and go up and down stairs. According to the Post, Vereline is the first veteran receive a robotic exoskeleton from the VA, and had been training for NYC for over a year.

On Sunday, she completed the last four-plus miles, the final portion of her endeavor. She finished just after 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.

Gear & News Editor Drew covers a variety of subjects for Runner’s World and Bicycling, and he specializes in writing and editing human interest pieces while also covering health, wellness, gear, and fitness for the brand.