By Lily Robinson – 

Every year, around 50,000 runners participate in the largest marathon in the world, the TCS New York City Marathon. This Sunday, November 5, we are honored to have some members of the HeartShare family represent us in one of the most significant sporting events in the city by raising funds and awareness for our mission and services.

You can track all our runners using the official TCS New York City Marathon App. Follow our runners on their five-borough journey, or join us in cheering them on at our various HearShare Cheer Zones throughout the city.

HEARTSHARE CHEER ZONES

Sunset Park Brooklyn @ 11:00 am

Yaffa Cafe Fourth Avenue between 45th & 44th Streets

Park Slope Brooklyn @ 11:30 am

PEP Bakehouse and Coffee Shop on Fourth Avenue between 18th and 17th Streets

Manhattan NY @ 2pm

Finnegan’s Wake on First Avenue and 73rd  Street

Meet Team HeartShare!

Susan Packer- BIB#59406

Westport, Pennsylvania

Running for: Heartshare Human Services

How long have you been running?

I grew up in a small town and come from a family of ten children. My father worked for the railroad and is a veteran of WWII and the Korean War. My mother was the daughter of a local farmer, and she was a stay-at-home mom. We grew up with a great love for people and our country. My parents noticed when I was two that I was not speaking or hearing, and it was then that I was diagnosed with a profound hearing loss. I would need services in the classroom and eventually would have surgeries to attempt to restore some, but to this day, I wear blue-toothed hearing devices to communicate effectively and be able to work and live normally as I can.

I began running at 16 years old with my father and developed a love for running but never competed, and I continue to this day, 44 years later !!!

How many times have you run the NYC marathon?

This will be my first time running the NYC Marathon , I had the privilege of taking care of a patient who came to the facility where I worked his name Anthony Amatrudo from Queens New York and he was battling colon cancer and he had shared with me that he ran the NYC marathon twice, we decided to raise money for our rehab center and I had suggested a 5 K and with Anthony as my ambassador we raised over 4,000. He was amazing and always encouraged me to enter the marathon and said I will see New York like no other, he loved the marathon and he loved New York. See picture of Anthony crossing the finish line!

Tell us why you run for HeartShare NYC.

I am so grateful to run for HeartShare because I can relate to disabilities. I live with challenges related to my hearing, but with technology, I can live normally and still continue to work as RN. I want to run and represent HeartShare and will continue to support it long after the Marathon. I am excited to be able to have this amazing opportunity and feel blessed beyond measure, and I am grateful to Team HeartShare.

What are you going to eat post-marathon run?

My son grew up with a love for running. He’s a veteran of the IRAQ war and is a PSP in Gettysburg, PA. He will be running for the Liver Foundation and running with me! Our family is coming to NYC and staying in Central Park, and we plan on eating at a local restaurant.

Andrew Lipsky- BIB#44656

Manhattan, NY

Running for: Heartshare Human Services

How long have you been running?

1 and a half years.

How many times have you run the NYC marathon?

First Time!

Tell us why you run for HeartShare NYC.

Every person deserves the opportunity to live independently and to their fullest potential. HeartShare NYC works tirelessly to make this possible by providing the resources, guidance, and support that empower individuals to thrive.

What are you going to eat post-marathon run?

Cacio E Pepe for the win!

Nia Adeyemi- BIB#59442

Manhattan, NY

Running for: Heartshare St. Vincent’s Services

How long have you been running?

I used to be an avid runner before Covid, but I started running again in June for the first time in years to begin preparing for the marathon.

How many times have you run the NYC marathon?

This will be my first time!

Tell us why you run for HeartShare NYC.

I run because I am a born and raised New Yorker. This city has given me so much opportunity, I’m really thankful to live here and love nothing more to give back to others in NYC!

What are you going to eat post-marathon run?

A shake shack Cheeseburger and Fries & a milkshake.

Marc Simpson- BIB#38558

Manhattan, NY

Running for: Heartshare St. Vincent’s Services

How long have you been running?

12 years

How many times have you run the NYC marathon?

This will be my 7th NYC Marathon and first time running for HeartShare.

Tell us why you run for HeartShare NYC.

 To support the mission and raise awareness for HSVS.

What are you going to eat post-marathon run? 

Everything!

Neil Katz- BIB#43036

Manhattan, NY

Running for: Heartshare St. Vincent’s Services

How many times have you run the NYC marathon?

Last year I suffered through 13 miles of a half marathon for team HeartShare. I hated it every minute. But I raised over $5K. And I loved that.

This year I’m doing the full 26 miles.

Tell us why you run for HeartShare NYC.

As my friends and family know, I hate to run. But I love a good cause and HeartShare is an org I’ve been giving to for a decade.

They help foster kids get into college and successfully graduate. They help kids with learning disabilities and spectrum disorders to live full, productive lives. They help kids deal with the trauma of family separation.

Interested in representing HeartShare at next year’s marathon? Please contact Mario Principato at 718-422 -3213 or mario.principato@heartshare.org.