I took up running a year ago and before then, I’d never run more than 3 miles. Team for Kids has inspired me and now I am on my third marathon.

I love running for Team for Kids. I love how organized the runs are. When I don’t want to get up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday, I know my teammates are waiting for me, bright in those green singlets, and ready to go. They’ve pulled me to places I never believed I could go. I never thought I could run 26.2 miles at 48 years old, but with TFK I was able to do it.

I love the coaches. The whole team is so supportive and keeps me going. I want to keep running with them and I love the fact that you’re helping kids in the city - kids that don’t have the same opportunities that my kids do.

Thinking more about it, even if I could get a place in the lottery, I would still choose to run with TFK for the camaraderie, coaches' support and also to know that I was doing a little something to help kids in the city who don't have the opportunities that my kids do.

Alison Diamond

The greatest part about being on Team for Kids is the team spirit and sense of camaraderie.  We inspire each other and it really transforms people to be not only runners, but athletes. Team for Kids has given me such a great network of friends, and we continue to run together even after completing the marathon. 

In addition, after I ran with Team for Kids last year, my wife decided to join the team this year.  The friends I’ve made on TFK are lifelong friends and that kind of camaraderie really pushes you forward.

Tomoaki Ishigaki

I would never have been able to train for the Marathon without Team for Kids. I tried the lottery and didn’t get in and I didn’t have a game plan yet as of how to train. I thought, I am going to have to hire a coach or find people to run with. I had no idea how I was going to do it. Then, I found Team for Kids.

As soon as I read about the work NYRR Youth Programs does, it clicked with me because I used to be a teacher and I taught students in the same population that TFK benefits.

I never thought I’d never be able to run 20 miles, but I did it last weekend. I am slow, but I am doing it. I would not have been able to do it without Team for Kids. That’s the truth.

Lisa Monroig