Today’s Runner Spotlight is Jamal Seriki, who will be running the 2026 NYC Half Marathon in March. Jamal has been volunteering for PAWS since September 2025. He loves helping animals in need, and he’s extremely excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Jamal in his Q&A below!

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Jamal! Click here to donate to Jamal’s fundraising page or to support the team overall.

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Today’s Runner Spotlight is Clare Sheedy, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. Clare is a graduate student at Columbia University who loves animals and can’t wait to run the marathon to support PAWS NY!

Read more about Clare in her Q&A below!

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Clare! Click here to donate to Clare’s fundraising page or to support the team overall.

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Today’s Runner Spotlight is Michelle Mayakis, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. Michelle is a 2026 DVM candidate at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She loves helping animals in need, and she’s extremely excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Michelle in her Q&A below!

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Michelle! Click here to donate to Michelle’s fundraising page or to support the team overall.

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Glenn with Winter and Ember

Today’s Runner Spotlight is about Glenn, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. Glenn is a veterinarian who loves to help people and animals in need, and he’s extremely excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Glenn in his Q&A below!

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Glenn! Click here to donate to Glenn’s fundraising page or to support the team overall.

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Today’s Runner Spotlight is about another Amanda, Amanda L, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. As someone who has always had pets and loved animals, Amanda is excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Amanda in her Q&A below:

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

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Amanda! Click here to donate to Amanda L’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Amanda and her pup Lisa!

Today’s Runner Spotlight is all about Amanda, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November–her second marathon! As someone who has always had pets and loved animals, Amanda is excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Amanda in her Q&A below:

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

Why did you decide to run the 2024 Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I grew up with doggos! My parents let my sister and I name our first dog. We didn’t know that pet names could be *creative*… so we named her Lisa. A patient and loyal yellow lab mix rescue . In all the places I’ve lived, I’ve always found a way to either walk, play with, or dog sit friend’s, family’s, or coworker’s doggos

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

Growing up, I played sports that involved a lot of running and my dad is a triathlete so I’ve always been around the running world. Some of my favorite places to run are Central Park, the East River Walkway, and Key Largo, FL (enjoyed 4 years of no hills while living down there!).

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Amanda! Click here to donate to Amanda’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Irina with Javi and Remi

Today’s Runner Spotlight gives us a deep dive on Irina, who will be traveling from California to run the 2024 United Half Marathon! As an animal lover (specifically rescue pets), Irina can’t wait to run the half marathon Sunday to support PAWS and our amazing mission.

Read more about Irina in her Q&A below:

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

What are your pets’ names?

Javi and Remi! Javi is a long haired chihuahua rescued from Russia in 2018. Remi is a  cavalier king charles spaniel – she was the last one in the litter and no one wanted to adopt her because she was not pure bred! I saw her and knew she was perfect for me.

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

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Irina! Come watch Irina and the rest of Team PAWS crush it this Sunday 3/17 as they run through Brooklyn and Manhattan. 

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Katie and her lab mix Mia

Today’s Runner Spotlight is all about Katie, who will be traveling from Nashville, Tennessee to run the 2024 United Half Marathon–her second half marathon! As someone who has always had pets and loved animals, Katie is excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Katie in her Q&A below:

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

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I have two lab mixes, Mia and Champ. They are my babies!

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

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Katie! Click here to donate to Katie’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Today’s Runner Spotlight is all about Bre, who will be traveling from Tampa, Florida to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon–her first marathon! As someone who has always had pets, Bre is excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

“Our domestic animals bring joy, consistent love, and routine to our lives and it is a bond worth protecting,” she said. Bre currently has a dog named Charlotte and a cat named Peeps, and is honoring her cat Rory, who passed away last year. “When I lost my beloved orange cat, Rory, I realized how important the bond between a human and their animal truly is.”

Read more about Bre in her Q&A below, including her favorite TV and animal–and more about Rory, Charlotte, and Peeps!

Why did you decide to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I wanted to challenge my mind, body, and soul! My longest run was the Gasparilla Half Marathon in February 2023. After completing that race, I was actually very sad. I know that sounds crazy! I realized that I enjoyed training for races just as much as the race itself. I love to push myself and I thought, what better race than the NYC Marathon?! 

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

My two passions in life are helping people and helping animals. 

The PAWS NY mission is the best of those two worlds. When I lost my beloved orange cat, Rory, I realized how important the bond between a human and their animal truly is. Our domestic animals bring joy, consistent love, and routine to our lives and it is a bond worth protecting. I am grateful to be able to raise money for a charity that recognizes that bond and donates their time and resources to help protect that relationship. In my current role as an attorney who fights to protect the rights of one of the most vulnerable populations, I can recognize the importance of a charity like PAWS NY. 

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I have always grown up around dogs and cats. I am so lucky my family raised me around animals because it taught me compassion and responsibility. 

In 2011, during my senior year of high school, my mom rescued Rory at eight weeks old and gave him to me. He finished high school by my side, then college and law school. He was even best friends with my now husband too. Sadly, he passed away in July 2022. 

In 2016, I rescued my dog Charlotte when I was a second year law student in Orlando, FL. She was about three years old. I knew the moment I saw her big ol’ puppy dog eyes that I was smitten. Charlotte enjoys cuddling, laying around, and more cuddling. My kind of girl.

In October 2022, after losing Rory, we opened our hearts and rescued Peeps. She is a dilute tortoiseshell cat. She came from the streets of New Port Richey, FL. She enjoys parkouring off of our walls, and cuddling with my husband.   

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

I have been a casual runner ever since I can remember. It is one of my most enjoyable hobbies! 

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

I enjoy paddleboarding, watching a binge worthy show, and hanging out at home with my animals. I am sort of a homebody, but love going to coffeeshops and my go-to restaurants around Tampa (shoutout Ciccio Group)!

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

1) My favorite animal is a manatee. 

2) I despise potatoes, except in french fry form! 

3) My favorite show is The Office. 

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run your first marathon, Bre! Click here to donate to Bre’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Kyle is no stranger to being a part of

Having grown up with pets, Kyle knows the important role they play in our lives and is honoring his dog Saucer, who passed away last year. A new dad, Kyle lives in Long Island with his wife, their 20-week-old daughter, and a 13-year-old Chihuahua named Joy. Read more about Kyle in his Q&A below!

Why did you decide to run the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I have probably done 20 Half Marathons, and I have done two NYC Marathons. I like the challenge of running marathons. 

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

I ran for PAWS NY for the 2021 NYC Marathon, the 2022 NYC Half, and the 2023 NYC Half. I love animals and pets, and I know it is important to care for them.

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I do! I have a 13-year-old Chihuahua named Joy. She was my grandmother’s dog until my grandmother passed away. I also had a Corgi / Rat Terrier Mix named Saucer who unfortunately passed away last year. I miss him everyday. And I did grow up with pets. I grew up with Great Danes. 

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

I have been running for approximately a decade. At first, it was 5ks, but I love the challenge of running so I moved on to longer runs.

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

I spend time with my family, including my 20-week-old baby, Sadie, and my wife, Caitlin.

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

I am a lawyer (not that fun of a fact). I love the New York Knicks. When I was younger, I represented Suffolk County in soccer at the nationwide Jewish Olympics!

Glad to have you back on the team Kyle! Click here to donate to Kyle’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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