Even though Saree didn’t do so great at cross-country in middle school, she is excited to run her first-ever long race with the Half and support PAWS NY–and we’re thrilled to give her a shoutout today!

Read Saree’s full Q&A below to learn about her pet family members Onny and Cody, where she likes to run in NYC, and more!

Why did you decide to run the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half? Have you participated in long races in the past?

After cheering on my friend at the TCS NYC Marathon, I impulsively signed up because of how inspiring the day was. The 2023 United Airlines NYC Half will be my first long race. 

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

I saw someone running for PAWS NY during the TCS NYC Marathon. I had been following PAWS NY for a while, and when I received an email asking for volunteers for this year’s Half, the timing was perfect. 

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

I have a kitten named Onny, who I rescued this past summer. I grew up with animals my whole life. Special shout-out to my parent’s dog / my brother Cody the Goldendoodle. 

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

I have been running since I impulsively registered for the Half! I love running in Central Park or wherever my legs take me. 

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

In my free time, I like relaxing with my cat Onny, going to Pilates, listening to podcasts, and trying new foods with friends. 

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

1. This summer I am going to Paris with my Grandma. 
2. I am left-handed. 
3. In middle school, I was kicked off of my cross-country team because I couldn’t run!

Saree, we know you can prove that cross-country coach wrong this year!

Click here to donate to Saree’s fundraising page and support the other runners on Team PAWS NY!

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Read Kyle’s full Q&A below to learn more about the dogs in his life, his favorite places to run, and some exciting family news!

Why did you decide to run the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I have done three marathons and probably more than 10 half-marathons. I ran the 2021 TCS NYC Marathon on behalf of PAWS NY, and the 2022 NYC Half. 

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

I love pets and I understand how important it is to have a pet. Sometimes your pet may be the one that helps you when you are having a rough day.

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

I do! I have a nine-pound Chihuahua name Joy. She was originally my grandmother’s dog, but when my grandmother passed away, my wife and I took care of her. I also grew up with dogs, specifically Great Danes. When our dog passed last year, my grandma’s dog Joy helped us get through it.

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

I have been consistently running for approximately five or six years. I recently moved out of NYC but when I lived on the Upper East Side, I loved running at Carl Schurz park. When I moved to Rego Park, I loved running at Flushing park.

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

Read, relax, hang out with my dog!

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

I am an avid Knicks fan. Also (and possibly more important), my wife is expecting so I am going to be a dad!

What are your goals for this race?

My ultimate goal is to run it in under 2 hours.

Congrats on the family news, Kyle! We’re so excited to cheer you on and know you can reach your two-hour goal! 

Click here to donate to Kyle’s fundraising page and support the other runners on Team PAWS NY!

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This newlywed Manhattanite was planning to run the 2020 United Airlines NYC Half before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She completed the 2022 Brooklyn Half and is looking forward to finally tackling the NYC Half this year–and supporting PAWS NY along the way.

“I grew up with two dogs and they made my childhood so rich,” she said. “The connection between humans and pets is vital and such an amazing part of life.” Read Marisa’s full Q&A below to learn about her favorite spots to run in NYC and her goals for the race this year!

Why did you decide to run the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I was signed up to run the 2020 United Airlines NYC Half, but it was canceled due to the pandemic. It has been weighing on me that I wasn’t able to run it and now that I am recovered from a knee injury, I needed to accomplish this goal. I ran the Brooklyn Half last year and while it was a lot of work and the race was HOT, it was beyond worth it. I am so excited to be running the NYC Half this year and cannot wait to hear everyone cheering in NYC! 

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

Animals have always been so important to me. I think the connection between humans and pets is vital and such an amazing part of life. PAWS NY is such an amazing organization that is able to help those who are in danger of losing their animals for either financial or physical reasons and I am honored and inspired to be part of that charge.

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

I grew up with two dogs and they made my childhood so rich. I do not have pets right now, but my husband and I dogsit all of our friends dogs which is probably our favorite thing to do. We will eventually (fingers crossed) get our own pup over the next few years!

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

I’ve been running seriously since 2019, but had to take some time off in 2020 due to a knee injury. I love running in Central Park – the hills are challenging (hello Harlem Hill!) and I love feeling the heartbeat of the city. There are also always people there cheering you on or fellow runners that help inspire and push you to keep going. I LOVE seeing parents running with their animals and/or their running strollers – such an inspiration! 

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

I love working out, especially Tracy Anderson (the only other workout that I do besides running), dog sitting, and going to concerts! 

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

1. I got married in December 2022, and just got back from my honeymoon which was in South Africa and Mozambique. A big part of our trip was a safari, which was an incredible experience. 
2. I am a certified fitness instructor and used to teach a cardio boxing class! 
3. I work at Estee Lauder Companies for the amazing, global brand Clinique. 

What are your goals for this race?

I would love to run the race in 2 hours flat. I ran the Brooklyn Half in 2:03, and I would love to shave off those 3 minutes. Not sure if I can hit it due to the hills and overall complexity of the course, but fingers crossed! 

We’re so excited to cheer you on, Marisa, and know you can reach your two-hour goal! 

Click here to donate to Marisa’s fundraising page and support the other runners on Team PAWS NY!

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“We are excited to be named an Official Charity Partner of the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half, which gives PAWS NY an incredible platform to support our mission of helping people by helping pets,” said Rachel Herman, the Founder and Executive Director of PAWS NY. “We look forward to having a dedicated team of runners take on the United Airlines NYC Half on behalf of our organization—training, preparing, and ultimately completing the 13.1-mile race for a cause that is both meaningful and close to each and every one of them.”

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 suffering from illness or disability. The organization’s programs and volunteers provide support to help keep pets in their homes with the people who love them and out of the shelter system. PAWS NY will participate in the United Airlines NYC Half Charity Partner Program, along with 15 runners who will participate in the Half Marathon. 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.

“We are proud to welcome PAWS NY as an Official Charity Partner of the 2023 United Airlines NYC Half as we work together to use the event as a platform to better our communities,” said Christine Burke, NYRR’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Runner Products. “Our charity partners truly embody the dedicated spirit of the running community, and we are excited to support the incredible impact they have on our society across so many different causes and missions.”

The United Airlines NYC Half is one of the nation’s premiere half marathons, and an event which provides thousands of charity runners a platform to support important causes and missions. At the 2022 United Airlines NYC Half, over 2,400 runners raised more than $4.5 million for charity.

More than 25,000 runners are expected to participate in this one-of-a-kind race that showcases New York City’s historic landmarks, popular parks, sweeping views from the Manhattan Bridge, and diverse neighborhoods starting in Brooklyn then passing Grand Army Plaza, the United Nations, Grand Central Terminal, and Times Square, before ending near the iconic TCS New York City Marathon finish line in Central Park. Additionally, the race will host hundreds of children taking part in the Times Square Kids Run featuring a 1,500-meter out-and-back course on Seventh Avenue in Times Square.

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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:
Kimberly Green
(o): 212-203-4760, x304
(e): Kimberly.Green@pawsny.org

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