In-person events are back and, perhaps one of the most anticipated is the TCS New York City Marathon. On Sunday, November 7th, runners will gather to run 26.1 miles after the race was made fully virtual in 2020. Each year, the race also draws thousands of spectators and volunteers as the course winds its way through New York City. Many feel that this year’s race will be a ‘homecoming moment’ for the city. The thousands of runners use the marathon to raise money for charities close to their hearts. We talked to women around Hudson County doing just that. Read on to find out about these incredible ladies and the charities they are supporting.
Missy Repoli
HG: Tell us about yourself.
MR: My name is Missy and I have been living in Hoboken for over three years. I spent my childhood in New Jersey, so it only felt right that I continued to live in New Jersey while working in New York City.
I currently work at Squarespace as a Recruiting Programs Specialist on the Early Career Recruiting Team. Our team supports the hiring of Intern and New Graduate/Early Career roles and the aligned programming. We are currently hosting our second virtual internship program and what a ride it’s been!
HG: Tell us a little about the organization for which you are running. How did you get involved?
MR: I am running with Party for Purpose, a 100% volunteer-based, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded on the concept of producing great events to raise money for children’s charities and bring the community together in the process.
When I moved to Hoboken, I ran into two of my high school classmates, Joelle and Jordan Hernandez, who had also moved into the area. Joelle and Jordan are extremely involved in the Hoboken community and have always kept me informed about upcoming events, new restaurant openings, and more! When the pandemic hit, I spent a lot of time with my family and left Hoboken for a few months. But when I returned, I was immediately reminded of how much I love the city and community of Hoboken. When I was catching up with Joelle and Jordan, I mentioned my interest in running the TCS New York City Marathon at some point, but I wasn’t sure if I would get in through guaranteed entry. As board members of Party with Purpose, they informed me that the organization had 5 fundraising spots for individuals interested in running the marathon and giving back to the Hoboken community. This seemed like the perfect opportunity!
HG: Tell us a little about your motivation for running the marathon!
MR: Growing up playing basketball and eventually playing at the Division I level in college, I have always been extremely competitive and willing to take on a challenge. But, I’ve always considered myself much more of a sprinter rather than a long-distance runner. And so, a marathon always seemed out of the realm of possibility.
But, after witnessing the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon, I left feeling inspired to take on the challenge. The energy that the runners, supporters, and workers brought to this event was simply breathtaking. I’m very excited to have the opportunity to take part in the 50th running of this World Marathon Major!
HG: How is training going?
MR: I started training a few weeks ago and am starting to get my mileage up. The longest distance I’ve ever run is 10 miles, so I still have some work to do before November 7th.
HG: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
MR: I am most looking forward to being a part of the enthusiastic atmosphere that comes from both the committed runners and passionate supporters and workers. Since this is the 50th running of the marathon, along with the first race following New York City’s comeback from the pandemic, I can only imagine how electric the crowd will be! With this being my first marathon, I’m focused on simply finishing the race rather than finishing under a certain time. Small wins!
HG: How can readers support your fundraising efforts?
MR: Readers can support my fundraising efforts by heading to my fundraising page here. I truly appreciate the support!
Read More: Hoboken + Jersey City Running Clubs to Join
Jessica Gattus
HG: Tell us about yourself.
JG: I am fairly new to Hoboken, just moved this April! I am a Professional Development Specialist for an education tech company. I deliver training events and work with teachers, coaches, and leaders all over the country. I made a career change about a year ago during the pandemic. I used to be an elementary school teacher. I am originally from Long Island and I love to travel, cook, and workout.
HG: Tell us a little about the organization for which you are running. How did you get involved?
JG: I will be running on team StacheStrong in the NYC Marathon! My friend Colin Gerner and his family created a non-profit devoted to raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research after his brother was diagnosed and lost his battle to Glioblastoma Brain Cancer. StacheStrong is touching lives and making strides in brain cancer research.
HG: Tell us a little about your motivation for running the marathon!
JG: A full marathon has been on my bucket list! I played volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse and once that was over I started running a lot more. My parents were also marathon runners! I’ve completed a half marathon and always said I want/ need to do a marathon but it has to be in a great location and meaningful. Being new to the NYC area and getting to support StacheStrong, I can’t think of a better opportunity for my first one! The marathon is also the day before my birthday so I think it was just meant to be.
HG: How is training going?
JG: Training has just started. If you see me running along the water in Hoboken give me a wave, water, spoonful of peanut butter, or maybe even a margarita… I’ll need some motivation and positive vibes for 26 miles! I’ll be doing a lot of strength training, speed workouts, and of course, long runs.
HG: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
JG: The overall scene! The crowds, cheering, live music along the way, I’m really excited. I can see myself just smiling and waving at strangers the whole time…. or maybe just for the first like 3 miles.
HG: How can readers support your fundraising efforts?
JG: Visit my fundraising page here. Share it with your friends, family, coworkers. Every donation is appreciated and supports brain cancer research! I also didn’t know about Glioblastoma Brain Cancer until I met Colin. I encourage everyone to learn more about how StacheStrong has taken such a heartbreaking tragedy and turned it into making a positive impact on others. Follow @StacheStrong and visit https://www.stachestrong.org
Tabitha Tomasella
HG: Tell us about yourself.
TT: I am an account executive at Nautica. I sell Men’s, Ladies’, and sleep apparel to Costco. I live in Hoboken on Park Ave and commute to NYC for work at Nautica headquarters.
HG: Tell us a little about the organization for which you are running. How did you get involved?
TT: I am running for the Charity Team for Kids. The foundation helps support programs for about 250K children nationwide. The program helps to build students’ desire to be physically active. I am a part of the New York Road Runners which is where I came across this charity. I loved the cause and I love children.
HG: Tell us a little about your motivation for running the marathon!
TT: Conquering 26 miles will definitely be an enormous challenge but running for a worthy cause makes it worth it. I was a D1 athlete in college and love being physically active. I do it for my mental and physical state. I have run 15 races so far in NYC/NJ and the NYC marathon has always been on my bucket list. I just started my training and I am beyond excited to run it, especially for a great cause!
HG: How is training going?
TT: Training with a full-time job is definitely not easy. However, crossing that finish line and seeing the donations come in for Team for Kids is really driving me to get out there and push myself no matter how tired I am. I genuinely love running and am looking forward to this training experience for the next three months.
HG: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
TT: Crossing that finish line and seeing all my family and friends who have already been such a huge support and motivation for me.
HG: How can readers support your fundraising efforts?
TT: Any donation is appreciated and can be made through the link here. The more we raise the more we can give back to the children and keep them active and healthy.
Amanda Bart
HG: Tell us about yourself.
AB: My name is Amanda Bart. I recently moved to East Harlem after over a decade in Hoboken and Jersey City! Since 2015, I’ve served as Chief of Operations for Bellevue Juvenile Justice Mental Health Service, a team providing mental health to residents of NYC’s juvenile detention centers. My free time is spent exploring my new neighborhood with my pup Millie (shout out to See Spot Rescued), visiting with my three amazing nieces, and soaking in all the live music I can!
HG: Tell us a little about the organization for which you are running. How did you get involved?
AB: In 2015, feeling frustrated by the growing number of women being arrested and held in facilities with policies and interventions primarily designed for men, I discovered WPA (Women’s Prison Association). WPA is the nation’s first organization for women impacted by incarceration. The approach is personal and addresses the root causes of systems involvement, knows the data, and is focused on the needs and nuances of individual clients. All of the services are provided in conjunction with the women served, it is a partnership and it is awe-inspiring. Upon learning about WPA, I joined its Emerging Philanthropists (a version of a Junior Board) and, six years later, I’m the group’s Chair and embarking on this enormous challenge for my favorite non-profit!
HG: Tell us a little about your motivation for running the marathon!
AB: I’m motivated to run this race by the women of WPA who have endured so much and I hope to honor their perseverance by doing something I never thought I could. It will be my first marathon and I’m terrified!
HG: How is training going?
AB: Training is going pretty well. I am following a training program pretty strictly to avoid injury and burnout. I can feel myself making strides (no pun intended) and improving in just my first three weeks.
HG: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
AB: I am so excited to see the city come alive and cheer each other on. After the last 18 months, we’ve all had, I’m sure I’ll be in tears through the entire race. I am looking forward to seeing my friends and family along the course and, of course, that finish line!
HG: How can readers support your fundraising efforts?
AB: Readers can support me by donating here. Every dollar we raise supports women redefining their lives in the face of injustice and incarceration. And please follow along with me on my journey to 26.2! Send me your song suggestions, favorite race day gear, and words of encouragement! And, lastly, there are still spots available on Team WPA if you’re interested in joining me on race day!
Courtney Mulry
HG: Tell us about yourself.
CM: My name is Courtney and I live in uptown Hoboken, NJ. I studied Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut where I obtained my B.S / M.S. degrees. I currently work as a Quality Engineer at a medical device company in northern NJ. I have been working here for just over three years. In my free time, I love spending time outside and visiting with friends.
HG: Tell us a little about the organization for which you are running. How did you get involved?
CM: I am running for Boston Children’s Hospital. Boston Children’s has ranked as the #1 Children’s Hospital in the country for the past eight years and is constantly working to push the boundaries of what’s possible in children’s health. I am a previous patient of the hospital and follow them on all social networks and that is how I discovered the hospital had a team of runners for the NYC Marathon.
HG: Tell us a little about your motivation for running the marathon!
CM: My motivation for running the race comes from my experience as a patient at the hospital. When I was 13 years old, I was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma tumor in the brain and underwent a 10+ hour resection surgery at Boston Children’s. I was followed by the hospital throughout my recovery and for the last 13 years. I am forever grateful for the care they have provided me. This felt like the perfect opportunity for me to be able to give back to the hospital and doctors who saved my life.
HG: How is training going?
CM: Training is going well! I was given a plan by the team and have been sticking to it pretty nicely. I have run four half marathons previously but never a full marathon. This training season I am really trying to focus on dialing into recovery and rest to ensure I do not end up injured and am ready to go on race day!
HG: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
CM: This is probably cliché, but the moment I am looking forward to most on race day is 100% the feeling I’ll get after crossing the finish line. I know I will feel so empowered and proud to have completed the race and have been able to do it for such an amazing cause. I also will be so happy to see family and friends cheering me on (I have already assembled a mini fan club).
HG: How can readers support your fundraising efforts?
CM: If readers would like to support my fundraising efforts they can consider donating here. No dollar amount is too small, and it would mean so much to me to have your support!
See More: A Guide to Hot Yoga Studios in North Jersey
Sophia Peppas
HG: Tell us about yourself.
SP: I’m the Director of Events for Christian Louboutin and live in downtown Hoboken.
HG: Tell us a little about the organization for which you are running. How did you get involved?
SP: This year, I’ve decided to run with Fred’s Team. The history behind the organization’s foundation was motivational to me personally. The co-founder of the NYC Marathon was undergoing treatment for brain cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) and jogged through the hospital hallways determined to find a way to give back. He designated MSK as the first official charity of the iconic race. All money raised goes towards cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where my father was a cancer patient from 2002-2004.
HG: Tell us a little about your motivation for running the marathon!
SP: The pandemic put a lot of things into perspective, health, of course, at the forefront. Taking a “pause”, I focused on improving my dietary habits and dedication to the movement. It gave quarantine days some structure. Now that “normalcy” has somewhat resumed, I want to continue the challenge of maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
HG: How is training going?
SP: I haven’t run a Marathon since 2015 (where I said I would never run one again after I reached the finish line), but having a charity to support gives my miles purpose, and of course – a detailed running schedule with pace time goals and supporting friends and family is helpful in the process. Additionally, I’m a member of FLK Method by @fit.like.krys and use at-home workouts for strength training to boost my overall performance.
HG: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
SP: The starting line! It’s the final stride from all of the training leading up to that day and the journey to get there. The enthusiasm from spectators is an added bonus because it keeps you going throughout the 26.2 miles!
HG: How can readers support your fundraising efforts?
SP: Readers can donate to my fundraising page here! or follow me on IG – I’ll be hosting a couple of fundraising events prior to the Marathon in support of Fred’s Team.
Katherine Reardon
HG: Tell us about yourself.
KR: My name is Katie Rose Reardon. I’m a born and raised Jersey girl. I reside in Montclair, NJ. I currently work for a recruiting firm based in NYC and in my free time partake in local community theatre.
HG: Tell us a little about the organization for which you are running. How did you get involved?
KR: I am running for the organization, Autism Speaks. It’s a cause that’s near to my family’s heart! When deciding which organization I wanted to fundraise/run for, I knew that I had to pick one I was truly passionate about.
HG: Tell us a little about your motivation for running the marathon!
KR: This will be my first full marathon! Growing up I spent most of my time on the stage performing. When I began professionally auditioning for theatres in NYC, running became a coping mechanism to battle stage fright during the audition season and overall audition anxiety.
HG: How is training going?
KR: I’ve been training for the past month and my mileage is really starting to ramp up! Brookdale Park has been my favorite place to run so far! 🙂
HG: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
KR: I’m looking forward to running alongside the Autism Speaks team & all the other marathon runners. I’m beyond excited to accomplish my goal of crossing that finish line in my favorite city!
HG: How can readers support your fundraising efforts?
KR: Readers can support my fundraising efforts by donating here until October 1st.
