“I have a 12-year-old rescue dog, Cleo, who I have had since she was six months old. She is my best friend, no question,” Ari said. “Pets are the best companion in the entire world, and if there’s anything I can do to protect that relationship, I want to help!”

Read Ari’s full Q&A below to learn about her favorite places to run in NYC and Providence, what she’s studying at Brown, and her favorite post-run treat!

Why did you decide to run the Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

Running the NYC Marathon has always been on my bucket list, despite never having been a runner. My mom ran it when she was in her 20s, and I figured if she could do it, so could I! When the pandemic hit, I found myself running regularly for the first time ever. Signing up for the marathon felt like the natural (if not very optimistic!) next step!

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

The mission of PAWS NY is one that really resonates with me. Pets are the best companion in the entire world, and if there’s anything I can do to protect that relationship, I want to help!

Do you have any pets of your own? 

I have a 12-year-old rescue dog, Cleo, who I have had since she was six months old. She is my best friend, no question. I wish she could run with me, but she’s an old lady now, and has always been a couch potato. 

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I started running during the pandemic. When I am in NYC, I love to run along the Hudson River. At school in Providence, I try to run along the East Bay Bike path. 

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

These days I mostly go to class or do my homework. In my free time, I love to watch true crime shows, and Google rescue dogs and try to convince my friends/family to adopt them. 

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

1. I am double majoring in Political Science and Literary Arts at Brown University. 
2. My favorite ice cream flavor is Mint Chip.
3. Fantasizing about drinking an iced oat milk latte is what gets me through my long runs!

What are your goals for the Marathon?

Honestly, I just want to cross that finish line!!

We’re so excited to cheer you on in a few weeks, Ari! Donate to Ari and the rest of Team PAWS NY or read all our Runner Spotlights here.

The post Marathon Runner Spotlight: Ari appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

Why did you decide to run the Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

When I was in the fourth grade, I made a goal of running a marathon before I was the age of the number of miles. And here we are! It sounds silly, but for whatever reason that goal stuck with me. This will be my first marathon and I am so excited! I love that I have such an amazing team backing me up. Not only am I challenging myself physically and mentally, I know I’m positively impacting my community through PAWS NY. It really is a win/win.

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I am a HUGE animal lover and truly believe animals, especially pets, are a gift in this world. Pets provide us with unconditional love and a bond that is so special, they really are family and I can’t imagine having that taken away. PAWS NY helps animals and people in need simultaneously, which is such a beautiful thing. I genuinely can’t think of a better way to have a positive impact on this community, so I feel very fortunate to now be a part of it. My connection to PAWS NY started through this marathon but I’m excited to continue it well after race day.

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets?

I don’t have any pets in the city (yet). My family dog, Lucy, lives with my parents in Connecticut. She’s quite the suburbs gal—she loves to roll around in the grass and get butt scratches. We adopted Lucy when I was 12 and I couldn’t imagine growing up without her. I absolutely adore that little girl and love going home to see her. No matter if it’s been 10 minutes or 2 months, she is just as excited to see me.  

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I’ve always enjoyed running, but I started consistently running in the past couple of years. Especially at the start of COVID, I found running to be very therapeutic and a great reason to get outside. My go-to running spot had always been along the East River, but recently I’ve given Central Park a try and it may be creeping into first place for my favorite place.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

I like reading, hanging with friends and family, and trying new places and things, especially when there’s food involved.

Share a couple fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

I’m a dual citizen—I was born in England. I recently got my dog’s DNA tested and it turns out she is 12.3% Supermutt! (A fun way of saying she’s such a mix it’s hard to detect what she is).

What are your goals for the Marathon?

Just to finish with a smile! 

We know you can do it, Natasja! Donate to support Natasja and the rest of Team PAWS NY online!

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“I have been dog walking for PAWS NY since April 2018,” she said. “I’ve been walking a golden retriever named Valla now for about three years and our walks are definitely one of the highlights of my week!”

Learn more about Annie, who lives in Jersey City, in her Q&A below, including her favorite places to run and which SNL star she met during a PAWS NY walk!

Why did you decide to run the Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I ran the NYC Marathon in 2019. The experience was incredible, however, the race didn’t go as well as I had wanted and I am looking to run faster this year.

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I have been dog walking for PAWS NY since April 2018. I’ve been walking a golden retriever named Valla now for about three years and our walks are definitely one of the highlights of my week!

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets?

I grew up with pet dogs and cats. I currently have a cat named Lily. 

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I have been running for 13 years and ran NCAA Division 1 Track for Lehigh University. I’ve been running about six days a week since graduating. Some of my favorite places to run are the Waterfront in Jersey City/Hoboken, the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown PA, and Liberty State Park.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

Outside of running and working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, taking Peloton classes, watching Bravo, and playing piano. 

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

1. I speak Spanish fluently.
2. My birthday is 11/11 (make a wish)!
3. I ran into Kenan Thompson while dog walking for PAWS two years ago.

What are your goals for the Marathon? 

I am looking to hopefully run around 3:30 for this year’s Marathon.

Donate to support Annie and the rest of Team PAWS NY as we get closer to the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon!

The post Marathon Runner Spotlight: Annie appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

“Older adults are such an important part of our society and are so often overlooked, as are animals,” she said. “Being able to support older adults and form a connection with them via their companion animals is amazing. The work of PAWS NY is so important on so many levels!”

Read Noella’s full Q&A below to learn more about another one of our runners for the TCS New York City Marathon!

Why did you decide to run the Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

After taking a running class through JackRabbit, I ran a Half Marathon at Central Park 12 years ago, and around mile 6 in the race I injured my knee. Alas, I kept running and had a good time (just under 2 hours)! But I also screwed up my knee so bad that I couldn’t run even a mile for the next 10 years. After 10 years, I began running on a treadmill in my building’s gym and was feeling pretty good (outside still upset my knee), but then when the pandemic struck, I couldn’t run indoors anymore so began running at a local track.

When the pandemic threatened to close the track, I took to the parks and have been amazed that for the past year I’ve been able to pound the streets with no pain! I credit regular yoga with my success, and by working from home and fewer social engagements I’ve had more time to run. 

My ability to run again has been an emotional and exciting experience. I truly never thought I’d be able to run again after that injury, which was very sad for me, and the fact that this past April I ran 21 miles just astounds me. Since I am still working from home, it feels like if I’m ever going to run a Marathon, this is the year. And I love NYC, so what better race to participate in? I’ve only run two races before: a 10K and that Central Park Half Marathon. 

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

About 9 or 10 years ago, I began volunteering with PAWS NY walking Cleo for Arthur in Brooklyn Heights. My husband and I had recently lost our dogs to cancer and I was desperate to find a way to spend more time with dogs without yet being emotionally ready to adopt a new friend. I walked Cleo once a week for approximately a year until Arthur passed away. Cleo was adopted by an amazing couple in Arthur’s building and I visited her once. I would have volunteered walking another pup, but around that time I started working in Brooklyn and there weren’t any clients close to my home or work. 

The PAWS NY mission really resonates with me. Older adults are such an important part of our society and are so often overlooked, as are animals. Being able to support older adults and form a connection with them via their companion animals is amazing. Obviously keeping people with their pets is critical, but I think even the 10-minute interactions between the walker and owner is so valuable in keeping people connected to their communities. It also helps the volunteer connect with their neighbors and other New Yorkers. Your work is so important on so many levels!

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets?

Yes! Elsie, though we call her Elsie Bear. She’s a ~9.5 year old rescue. She can be painfully shy while also being beyond herself with joy when she sees her canine friends. I grew up with dogs (cat allergies) and they were/are always considered a key member of the family. 

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

In my recent iteration, I’ve been running 2.5 years. Before that, I ran off and on from high school through the age of 30. I live in Bay Ridge so spend most of my time running along the water on the Shore Road Promenade and in the parks that line Shore Road. I recently ran up the Hudson River in Manhattan and it was so fun! A nice change of scene.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

I walk my dog a lot! I also love biking or taking the ferry to the beach, going out for cocktails, visiting museums, going to my favorite vegan restaurants, and travelling.

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

1) In 4th grade I tried out for my school’s chorus group…and I was the only person not to make it!

2) I still occasionally listen to cassette tapes. Mix tapes from college are the best!

3) My first car was a yellow 1973 VW Beetle. 

What are your goals for the Marathon? How can PAWS support you?

Finish the race! If I can finish it in 4.5 hours, I’ll be over the moon!

Thanks to Noella for her dedication to PAWS NY! Donate to Noella or the rest of the PAWS NY Marathon team here.

The post Marathon Runner Spotlight: Noella appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

Why did you decide to run the Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

This will be my first Marathon but I have done multiple Half Marathons.

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I wanted to support a charity while running the TCS New York City Marathon. I love animals, grew up with pets, and I love my dog, so PAWS NY was a great fit.

How long have you been running? 

I have been running for the last 6-7 years.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

Beside running, I like to read, play video games, watch television, and take my dog for walks.

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

1. I have torn both my ACLs.
2. I am a lawyer.
3. I’m an avid Knicks fan.

What are your goals for the Marathon? How can PAWS support you?

I want to finish the Marathon in under 4:45:00! 

Special thanks to Kyle for fundraising on behalf of PAWS NY! Donate to Kyle and the other runners on Team PAWS NY.

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In today’s Runner Spotlight, meet Dawn! Currently working as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practitioner, Dawn (she/her/hers) is moving from Manhattan to Maryland this summer, and we’re excited to stay connected with her for the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon.

Dawn previously volunteered for PAWS NY a few years ago and is passionate about the work that we do here in NYC. She’s also a talented musician! Read her full Q&A below and be sure to cheer her on this November!

Why did you decide to run the Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I’ve always wanted to run a marathon, but it’s more rewarding for me to pair it with a great fundraising cause like PAWS NY.

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I volunteered years back for a woman named Ruth and her cat(s). I’m a DEI practitioner, so I strive to create inclusive communities. The mission of PAWS NY—keeping senior and disabled residents with their pets—helps with this. I hope the money I raise can ensure PAWS NY can reach out to more people across NYC.

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets?

I never grew up with pets, but I did have fish. I now have a dog (Pinot, a failed foster) and a cat (Blanca). I’m starting a job at a school that has 20 horses.

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I started running after I started coaching track and field at a private school. I love running Riverside Drive, Van Cortlandt Park, Central Park, and the 145th track.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

Walk my dog.

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

I played violin for 14+ years, flute for 8+ years, and did musical theatre. Most of all, I love to eat.

What are your goals for the Marathon? 

I would love to raise $5,000 and finish the race in under four hours. 

So excited to cheer you on, Dawn! Click here to help Dawn reach her fundraising goal!

The post Marathon Runner Spotlight: Dawn appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

“I have seen firsthand the joy that pets can bring to close friends and family and I am excited to be helping those in need share in that joy,” Christian says. Read his full Q&A below to learn about his experience as a ballboy for the U.S. Open, his running journey, and his favorite place to run in Central Park!

Why did you decide to run the Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

The NYC Marathon has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My Dad’s finish line photos and medals from the NYC Marathons in 1992, ’93, and ’95 hung from our TV room wall; Marathon Sunday meant a trip into the city for brunch at our friends’ place who lived on York Avenue. It was inevitable then, that once I picked up running in 2014, the NYC Marathon became my long-term goal. Over the following 5 years, I improved my running and completed my 9+1 entry requirements in 2018. In 2019, I completed my first NYC Marathon and loved every minute (mostly). There’s something special about the New York crowds cheering on my name that kept me going. 

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I was connected to PAWS NY through a coworker (Rob Valenza) who is involved with the Associate Board and who invited me to a fundraising event a few years back. The mission of PAWS NY—to keep pets in their home—really resonated with me, especially as I sought to adopt a pet of my own. I have seen firsthand the joy that pets can bring to close friends and family and I am excited to be helping those in need share in that joy.

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets?

I grew up in a house with cats (Norton, Fred, and later Teddy), and I actually just adopted a cat in July! We picked up Fluffykins a few weekends ago, and he’s settling in nicely! He always wants to be helpful when I’m putting on my running shoes by walking directly between my face and shoes when tying my laces.

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I started running in college in 2014 as a way to spend more time outdoors. These days I run almost exclusively in Central Park and have a particular fondness for the west side stretch of the loop in the 70s, where the road meets the edge of the Boathouse lake, and sycamore trees line the curb.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

I enjoy golfing, playing cello, and meeting up with friends for a museum or time in the park.

Share 2-3 fun facts about yourself! What should we know?

My first job was to be a ballboy at the U.S. Open tennis tournament (sadly never ballboyed for Federer or Serena). I performed at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center as part of the Chamber Music Society’s young musicians program. In September 2019, I interrupted my marathon training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and made it to the summit!

What are your goals for the Marathon?

Main goal is to have a great day and enjoy the run + share it with friends and family. Bonus goal is to improve on my prior time of 3:58:25.

Best of luck, Christian! To donate to Christian or any of our other runners, visit this website.

The post Marathon Runner Spotlight: Christian appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

The mission of PAWS NY is to help New York City residents who are most at-risk of losing their pets due to physical and financial obstacles they face, with particular emphasis on low-income older adults and individuals living with illness or disability.  Our programs and volunteers provide support to help keep pets in their homes with the people who love them and out of the shelter system.

“As New York City emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, PAWS NY is thrilled to be a part of such an iconic NYC tradition,” said Rachel Herman, Founder and Executive Director of the organization. “Serving as an official charity partner for the TCS New York City Marathon’s 50th anniversary is an honor, and we’re excited to work with our runners to raise funds to support vulnerable New Yorkers as they care for their animal companions. This is an amazing platform for hundreds of nonprofit organizations to raise awareness and funds toward their missions, and we cannot wait to cheer on our PAWS NY Team and all of the 33,000 runners hitting the city streets this Marathon Sunday.”

“Supporting charitable causes and organizations are a long-standing tradition of the TCS New York City Marathon as it serves as one of the world’s largest fundraising platforms,” said Christine Burke, Senior VP of Strategic Partnerships, NYRR.  “The marathon exemplifies the running community’s spirit of giving back, and no group demonstrates that more than the thousands who choose to run for charity. We are proud to support the efforts of the PAWS NYteam and the positive impact they have made to their community.”

The NYRR Official Charity Partner Program offers an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to raise funds to support their missions and services. Participating charities can offer guaranteed entry to runners who fundraise on their behalf. PAWS NY will participate in the TCS New York City Marathon Charity Partner Program, along with ten runners who will participate in the Marathon on Sunday, November 7, 2021. These runners will commit to raising critical funds on behalf of the organization, allowing PAWS NY to continue to help clients overcome the physical and financial limitations they face caring for their animal companions.

Since its inception in 2006, the TCS New York City Marathon Official Charity Partner Program has raised more than $350 million for more than 1,000 worthy nonprofit organizations across the globe. Prior to the start of the official program, the New York City Marathon had served as an outlet for individual philanthropic runners since the 1980s.

The 2021 TCS New York City Marathon will commemorate the race’s 50th running with runners from all over the world participating in-person and virtually. The marathon began in 1970 and has become one of the most anticipated annual mass sporting events in New York City. This year’s marathon will once again bring together people of all ages and abilities reflecting the resilience and strength of the running community.

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About PAWS NY

The mission of PAWS NY is to help New York City’s most vulnerable residents remain with their pets by delivering critical programs and services through a community of partners and volunteers. Our programs help keep pets in their homes while protecting and promoting the human-animal bond that is so physically and psychologically valuable to our clients.  Thus, our motto: helping people by helping pets. To learn more, visit www.pawsny.org.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR)

NYRR’s mission is to help and inspire people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, virtual races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features a wide population of runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.

Contact:

PAWS NY Community Outreach Manager
Kimberly Green (o): 212-203-4760, x304 (e): Kimberly.Green@pawsny.org

NYRR Media Relations
Trina Singian (c): 646.457.8953 (e): tsingian@nyrr.org

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