New York City Marathon and “Who”

Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Manhattan. More than 59,000 people from 132 countries raced 26.2 miles through the five New York City Boroughs on November 2, 2025.[1] The race unfolded in front of 2+ million people lining the streets[2] and untold numbers tracking the runners on their phones (yes, there is an app for that).

The numbers are fun to cite. What matters to me though is the ‘who’ within those numbers. ‘Who’ made it possible for me to compete on November 2^nd? I share how I finished at the end of the blog—but first, recognizing Who.

Who in New York City

1. On Saturday, November 1 I had an amazing carb loading meal at the Faith Seventh Day Baptist Church in the Bronx. Really. I savored worshiping with Pastor West and the Faith Church and spending fellowship time together. Let’s just say that Jamaican Rice and Peas is my new pre-marathon meal.
2. Mile 8. After climbing up a brutal hill on Lafayette Street in Brooklyn, I was struggling. Just after cresting the hill and starting to catch my breath, I was energized by the enthusiastic support from Pastor Cooper, Pastor Small, and Brother Whitely of the NYC Seventh Day Baptist Church. How amazing to have friends cheering on just when I desperately needed it.
3. Mile 16. After enduring the elevation gain of crossing the Queensboro Bridge from Queens into Manhattan, I was once again recharged by ‘who.’ (Fun fact: the 2025 NYC Marathon Medal has the infamous elevation changes of the marathon etched on the side of the medal.) After exiting the bridge I heard my brother John cheering, along with another spectator that he recruited to cheer my name. So encouraging to make eye contact and keep going.
4. 

   NYC Marathon Finishers Medal

   Mile 25. John hustled across Manhattan to cheer me on again after the grueling hills early on in Central Park. At that point, I was in my zone and did not see or hear him. But I knew his plan to cheer me on there and I was ready to grind it out knowing the support.

5. On the app. I knew that countless family and friends were tracking me throughout the race, cheering me on as I pushed on. What a blessing!

Who Ahead of and After the Race

My family has encouraged me over months of training (and endured way too many running stories). My coach, Eric Bofinger, has challenged me to push my limits while living within the boundaries of a healthy rest/work rhythm of life. My parents worked out my ground transportation for the race. SDB coworkers and friends cheered me on and sent encouraging texts. Thank you!

Strong Community

I thrive in community. I can live and learn in isolation as well—but not thrive. There is more than running on my mind at this point.

We can run life solo and learn from impersonal interactions—but not thrive. We can also dig into community and thrive in places that invite belonging. When it comes to a local church and networks of churches, we have an opportunity for deep community. We have support and interaction that goes deep. If we take risk and truly engage with others. If we invest the time.

My challenge in the days ahead is to engage in true community every week, every day. Isolation can be easy to drift into, but community offers a place to live strong. Together.

Results

In case you are interested—I really did finish the race! I placed #1219 out of 59,141 finishers, and #17 out of the 1196 USA men in my age bracket. This was my first opportunity to run in the World Age Grade Championships and look forward to the next race challenge! In community with “who”.

 

 

 

 

 

[1] https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a69252211/amazing-stats-2025-new-york-city-marathon/

[2] Newsnation.