Running the 2023 New York City Marathon with New Balance
Some of the best runners and humans that we could assemble for a team
New Balance SC Trainer v2, New Balance More v4, New Balance SC Elite v3
We’re heading back to the big apple! Last year, we partnered with New Balance and took a group of ourselves and other runners to run the New York City Marathon in all of its glory. It was a hot day (the hottest November NYC Marathon in history, in fact), but the crowds were unreal and the vibes were off the charts as we wound our way through the five boroughs.
We had such a good time that we convinced New Balance to run it back, and while some of the original team joined us for this go-around, we also have a whole new set of friends and followers along for the ride. We’re less than three months out so the training is getting real, so be sure to check back each week for a full team training report.
For now, let’s start things off by learning a little bit about each runner on the Train to NYC 2 team!
Some of us before the Brooklyn Half Marathon
📍 Baltimore, Maryland
I’m the managing partner at Believe in the Run (though I may change my official title to Lady Boss). I’ve run 26 marathons, my first one being the Baltimore Marathon in 2012. I love running for so many reasons… the challenge, endorphins, discipline. Two of my favorite aspects of running are the grind of marathon training and the reward of accomplishing something you didn’t think possible. I cannot wait to soak up the crowds at the New York City Marathon this year!
📍 Baltimore, Maryland
Life was good as a skateboarding juvenile delinquent in Lafayette, Calif., until I got shipped off to upstate New York for boarding school. After I attended the Maryland College of Art in Baltimore, I slipped into an easy lifestyle of eating and drinking without much physical activity. When I couldn’t face the person I became, I started running and of course got hooked. Here we are many marathons later, about to run my third New York City Marathon. This year I plan to run the event like a celebration.
📍 Baltimore, Maryland
As the Senior Editor of Believe in the Run, I’m the one making sure everybody’s profile description sounds good because we need to let you know how legit we are. I’m a big fan of running, getting into sticky situations via weird adventures, and exploring the outdoors and Baltimore with my family. This is my seventh marathon and second time running New York. It’s an experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else.
📍 Akron, Ohio
I’m a sports dietitian (aka Feathers) and co-host of Fuel for the Sole podcast who helps runners from all over the place fuel like a boss and crush their performance and daily lives because of it. I work with runners 1-on-1 and in group programs through my business, Featherstone Nutrition. I’ve run 13 marathons so far (I think) and consider it my favorite distance. I run because it makes me so freaking happy. There is not a better way to start the day than hitting the pavement. I cannot wait to hit NYC Marathon round 2 with some much cooler weather than last year!
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📍 Baltimore, Maryland
I’m a full-time Physical Therapist Assistant, specializing in Spinal Cord Injury, but part-time, I coach runners at a local treadmill studio, virtually, and on a guided app platform. The 2023 New York City Marathon will be marathon number 8!
I was dragged into the sport of running by a coworker who convinced me to run a half marathon as part of my job’s charity team. I hated everything about that race, but felt an incredible sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the resiliency of the human body as I crossed the finish. I chase that same feeling every time I lace up. Looking very forward to seeing all my run friends in NY, hearing Frank Sinatra at the start, and of course creating memories with the all-star BITR team!
📍 Baltimore, Maryland
I’ve been working for the government doing regulatory work for the past 6 years, so I like to say I’m rich in time off. The 2023 NYC Marathon will be my fifth marathon. As a chonky kid, I hated running. About 7 years ago I got into it more seriously and I’ve been addicted ever since. During that tie, I’ve somehow become the expert wide foot reviewer for Believe in the Run.
I think this is some weird karma punishment for sleeping all day and playing video games all night growing up. Running isn’t just a healthy activity for me, it’s a way to clear my head and not worry about anything else at the moment. I’m looking forward to literally everything about the NYC marathon. If you see me running out there on race day, shout hello!
📍 Baltimore, Maryland
Just call me LO!! Let’s goooo!! Baltimore born and raised– yes, it was just like “The Wire” growing up, don’t ask! I’m a retired NFL player, now entrepreneur, public speaker, and school administrator. I have a passion for motivating others, and pushing the body to its limits. I started running alone in the winter of 2018 with a goal to run a mile in 7 minutes, and got it done after about 20+ tries.
Spring of 2019 I ran my first 5K and it’s been on ever since! The thing I love most about running races is the process– there’s no shortcut to success. The 2023 NYC Marathon will be my fourth marathon and first major! I’m excited to be a part of the BITR team and represent Baltimore!!
📍 Somewhere in America
Currently living in Sioux Falls, I’m a photographer, video editor, and podcast editor for Believe in the Run. I ran cross country and track all through high school and college. Soon after graduation, I joined BITR and have since run four marathons; this year’s NYC Marathon will be number five! Running has always been a passion of mine. No matter what, it’s a sport that I always come back to. I’m excited to get out there and have a great time and am definitely hoping for better weather than last year!
📍 United Kingdom
AKA Fordy! Me and my best friend King Charles rule the Great British Isles! He looks after the Palace and I take care of everything else! When not ruling Britannia, I am taking care of FORDY RUNS which amongst other things, is one of the biggest running clubs in the UK with an ethos of ultra inclusivity! I am a qualified athletics and running coach.
My favorite things to do are eating and stalking Thomas on Insta, but I also like to run and I’ve completed 12 marathons (I think?). It has been a dream of mine to run the NYC Marathon and I still can’t believe it’s happening! The London Marathon is pretty awesome but I wanna feel the heat from NYC when we take to the streets with Believe in the Run and New Balance in 2023!
📍 Commack, New York
Goooood morning BITR fam! I’m a native New Yawker, born and raised on Lawn Guyland. Some of you may know me from my YouTube channel, Run Like Heller, and if you don’t– go check it out! I started running in 2012 when my dad convinced me to sign up for a triathlon relay race. I was supposed to do the bike leg, but ended up running with my friend and falling in love with it.
I went on to do many triathlons, including an Ironman 70.3, before realizing that I hate swimming! I decided to transition (no pun intended) to solely running, and this will be my fifth marathon. New York City was also my first marathon and I cannot wait to run through the electric streets once again!
📍 Austin, Texas
I’m an athlete, trainer, and content creator based out of Austin, Texas. I believe that strength training and running help you find the best version of yourself. My mission is to bring others to their most happy and healthy selves through strength training and run coaching. This will be my 9th New York City Marathon, can’t wait to run it back again with the Train to NYC crew!
📍 Dallas, Texas
A full-time culinary teacher and private chef, cooking has been my life ever since I watched my grandmothers cook on rainy summer days. That passion grew into an acceptance into Johnson & Wales University for culinary and business. From there, I served proudly as a chef in the United States Army. I’ve run one marathon this past December, and will be running two this fall.
I run because I’m blessed to be able to do it. I run to hear my late daughter talk to me mile after mile. I will run until I am no longer able to do it, because running is my therapy. I’m very excited to run the NYC marathon because I want to hear that crowd, see the boroughs and earn my star. That finish line is the greatest reward.
📍 Chicago, Illinois
I’m a full-time running coach and personal trainer helping others to reach their big, scary goals. It’s a joy and a privilege to have been able to make it my full-time job. I’ve been running since high school after I realized I liked the running part of soccer more than the game itself, and have not looked back since.
I (stupidly) decided to run my first full marathon when I was 19 and a freshman in college; I crashed and burned so hard in the second half of that first marathon, but somehow it got me hooked. I’m really excited to be on the Train to NYC team to get some redemption out on the course in NYC after my first time running it since the Covid-restricted 2021 race. My number one goal with running is to love the process and celebrate the journey; I look forward to getting to do that alongside some awesome teammates this year!
📍 Washington, D.C.
I’m a recreational endurance athlete and creative, specializing in strategic branding, interactive, and digital design for a marketing and PR agency. For years, I’ve worked toward creating space and opportunity for Black and Brown athletes. I’m a triathlete and the founder of District Triathlon and GRIT USA™, an adult multi-sport team and development program based here in the DMV as well as a triathlon coach certified by the USAT. I have a love-hate relationship with running. Spent most of my childhood running track and playing football and soccer which led me down the path to coaching and community service.
After completing my first half marathon in 2014, I was hooked. Most of my running these days is used to train for triathlons but I still have the big goal of completing all six major marathons. I’ve been entering the lottery for NYC for the past 10 years and finally happy to say I’m officially training for it. Excited to join everyone on the #traintonyc!
📍 Bend, Oregon
Since graduating college a couple years ago, I’ve been a middle school teacher, running store guru, and office coordinator at a physical therapy clinic. In each position, I’ve loved learning something new and enjoy getting to challenge myself in different ways. I grew up playing soccer, basketball, but my running journey started as a way to stay active in college. It quickly became much more than that and is now a space where I can challenge myself physically and mentally.
After seeing one of my friends complete a marathon, I made it a goal of mine to run a half marathon (eventually a marathon too). Here we are 7 half marathons later and I’m so excited to run my first marathon in NYC! I’m looking forward to running in NYC for a couple of reasons: 1) getting to run where my sister lives and 2) checking off a bucket list race for my first marathon!
📍 Rock Hill, South Carolina
Imagine if Barbie said “y’all” & ate grits everyday. That’s me, a true born-and-bred Southerner. I just started working in marketing for a Charlotte-based running company and I also dabble in some non-profit work.
Growing up the daughter of a college running coach, I’ve been around running my entire life. After competing in college track and cross country at both the College of William & Mary and Winthrop University, I dove right into the longer distances. After my first marathon last December, I signed up for two more and New York will be my fourth marathon in my first 11 months of marathoning. The New York City Marathon has always been a dream of mine and I can’t wait to take on the streets (and bridges–yikes) with the Train to NYC team.
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