About the New York City Marathon
GJ was an avid runner growing up and continued to do so throughout treatment and his fight against GBM. This event will forever hold a special place in all of our hearts as it is the ultimate test of grit, passion and togetherness. It will always be especially emotional as he ran the final 6 miles with Colin in 2018, weeks before the MRI showed his tumor recurrence. There truly is no environment quite like the course of the NYC Marathon and we feel that it is a great metaphor for what GJ went through during his 25 month battle…There will be ups and there will be downs. There will be stages where you’re floating on air and there will certainly be a moment where you don’t think your body can possibly make it another stride. However, I promise you’ll dig deep within and find a way to #LiveStacheStrong.
We also have charity bibs for several international marathons so please apply below for all opportunities, including NYC. If you already have a bib, we’d also love for you to run as a part of Team StacheStrong in support of brain cancer research!
Marathon Moments
“I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for giving me the opportunity to run on Team StacheStrong and how much the experience meant to me and my family.
Now that I've had time to recover and reflect on the marathon last month, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for giving me the opportunity to run on Team StacheStrong and how much the experience meant to me and my family....”
Kristin Donde
Ran NYC marathon in 2024 and 2025
Now that I’ve had time to recover and reflect on the marathon last month, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for giving me the opportunity to run on Team StacheStrong and how much the experience meant to me and my family.
My dad was first diagnosed in August 2024 after his initial tumor resection. From the very beginning, we were given bleak statistics about what his fight might look like. By April he had completed a cycle of chemo and radiation and from there, each scan came back clean. While we knew recurrence was likely at some point, those months of good news meant everything.
Partnering with StacheStrong felt like the right choice for a few reasons. First, my dad’s story deserves to be shared. When we first received his diagnosis, I searched everywhere for even a small sense of hope to help ground myself. If sharing our experience can offer that same sense of positivity to someone else, then it’s worth it. All things considered, we’ve been incredibly fortunate in this fight.
Second, fundraising truly matters. Clinical trials don’t happen without funding, and knowing my dad’s treatment plan would likely involve a clinical trial at some point, I wanted to do something tangible. I’m not very good at sitting still or doing nothing, so this became my way of fighting alongside him and for him.
Running this marathon is about more than miles or a finish line. It’s about honoring my dad’s strength, supporting families navigating similar paths, and turning something incredibly hard into something hopeful. I’m proud to run with StacheStrong and grateful for the chance to be part of something that truly matters.
I had the most incredible experience running the NYC Marathon with StacheStrong. I’ve had friends run with different charities before, but I’ve never felt the sense of community that I did with this team. From following each other on Instagram at the start of training to finally meeting in person at the expo, I was able to connect with so many other runners, share stories, and even travel to the start line with a teammate, which really helped calm my nerves.
One of my favorite moments was introducing my parents to Colin after the race at Legends. They truly admire what Colin and his family have built. The personal nature of this charity is so special, and it made me feel like our family isn’t going through this fight alone.
The StacheStrong cheer zone also got me through one of the hardest parts of the race for me. 5th Avenue is no joke!
The NYC Marathon felt like a victory lap for the Collins family. In November, we celebrated clean scans, marking 15 months since my dad’s surgery to remove his initial tumor.
It was such a meaningful period of normalcy and relief for our family after chemo and radiation.
Now, as I write this in January, my dad’s December scan showed two 1cm tumors next to the original site. He’s heading into surgery at MGH in Boston, followed by a clinical trial for a new drug meant to slow the growth of future tumors.
As our family enters this next chapter of my dad’s fight, we’re grounding ourselves in strength, positivity, and resilience. I’m so grateful for the StacheStrong family and the incredible support we feel from this organization. It truly feels like so much more than that.
Kristin Donde
Ran NYC marathon in 2024 and 2025
‘It not only became one of the proudest achievements of my life, but also one of the most precious memories that I’ll be able to cherish with my mom.
Running the NYC marathon was far more impactful than I imagined it would be. As I write this, it happens to be the one year anniversary of the week we found out about my mom’s Glioblastoma diagnosis. The week our lives were all turned upside-down, and all of our priorities and plans quickly changed course...”
Charlotte Hensey
Ran NYC marathon in 2021 and 2022
Running the NYC marathon was far more impactful than I imagined it would be. As I write this, it happens to be the one year anniversary of the week we found out about my mom’s Glioblastoma diagnosis. The week our lives were all turned upside-down, and all of our priorities and plans quickly changed course.
The marathon was a bright spot in an incredibly hard year. It not only became one of the proudest achievements of my life, but also one of the most precious memories that I’ll be able to cherish with my mom. I trained through the ups and downs of her illness, sometimes wondering what it was all worth, yet always being wrapped in her love and encouragement to remind me of the why. What kept me on track was the realization that I could channel my anxious and fearful energy around my mom’s diagnosis into something meaningful, alongside a team of ambitious humans who care so deeply about the cause we ran for.
I wanted to make my mom proud and honor her journey, yet felt desperate and helpless about what to do in the face of this unimaginably cruel illness that has threatened to take her from us for the past year. As I fundraised, I wasn’t sure how much of an impact $3k, $10k or ultimately $18k would have, but I knew it meant far beyond the dollar amount I raised. I knew it wouldn’t make my mom’s illness any less real, but rallying friends and family to donate on behalf of her extraordinary battle and seeing everyone show up for us was humbling. I hoped my efforts could be part of a greater ripple effect that would bring more visibility, funding and research for the diagnosis that no one seems to know about unless it affects them personally.
And sure enough, Team StacheStrong raised over $125k through 2021 marathon fundraising efforts alone. Led by arguably the most inspiring family you will meet, in honor of their incredible brother and son GJ, we rallied to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Glioblastoma. It matters so much to all who are touched by this; those who are no longer with us, and those who are actively fighting. And for those who are newly diagnosed and riddled with fear over the unknowns of their particular prognosis. For everyone trying to work their way into clinical trials that may or may not accept them based on complicated genetic markers, tumor indicators, and other things you wish you never had to make sense of. Those painful conversations with clinicians sharing a treatment’s abysmally small likelihood of effectiveness, and the anxiety leading up to each scan while praying for more time to make memories. These are things simply no one should go through.
Running the marathon was a small thing compared to what that my mom has endured, but the memory of her cheering me on and falling into her arms after the finish line with tears and hugs, knowing how proud I made her was everything – and reminded me that there is room for beauty amidst what often feels like a living nightmare. Throughout the 26.2 mile route, I felt every single emotion. Adrenaline fueled excitement as the crowds cheered us on, a pang of sadness when someone pointed out the picture of my mom that I had proudly pinned to my shirt with a sympathetic look. Mustering up strength to laugh and sing out of tune to “pump up” songs with my brother as he jumped in at the half way mark, followed by moments of peaceful reflection during the calm parts of the route where I’d glance at my bracelet which read “hope” and think of the matching version my mom donned that spelled out “strength”. Knowing she was with me at each step, especially when it got hard. It was beyond anything I’ve experienced to be part of something so grand, yet so deeply intimate.
And what it all represented matters so very much. As a way to let my mom know how important and loved she is, and that people can come together in the name of this disease with reasons to smile, celebrate achievements, and honor the fight. While Glioblastoma continues to take certain abilities away from my mom, it will never minimize the joyful moments or define her incredibly full life. Running with StacheStrong brought inspiration to keep going despite feeling hopeless at times – and It’s something I’ll carry with me for life.
Charlotte Henesy
Ran NYC marathon in 2021 and 2022
"When I discovered StacheStrong, I couldn’t believe a charity existed that aligned so closely with my family’s journey.
I’d had the marathon bug for a while, and 2025 felt like the year to finally go for it. I knew I wanted to run with a charity partner so the experience could be about something bigger than just the race itself."
Sarah Collins
Ran NYC marathon in 2025
I’d had the marathon bug for a while, and 2025 felt like the year to finally go for it. I knew I wanted to run with a charity partner so the experience could be about something bigger than just the race itself. When I discovered StacheStrong, I couldn’t believe a charity existed that aligned so closely with my family’s journey.
My dad was first diagnosed in August 2024 after his initial tumor resection. From the very beginning, we were given bleak statistics about what his fight might look like. By April he had completed a cycle of chemo and radiation and from there, each scan came back clean. While we knew recurrence was likely at some point, those months of good news meant everything.
Partnering with StacheStrong felt like the right choice for a few reasons. First, my dad’s story deserves to be shared. When we first received his diagnosis, I searched everywhere for even a small sense of hope to help ground myself. If sharing our experience can offer that same sense of positivity to someone else, then it’s worth it. All things considered, we’ve been incredibly fortunate in this fight.
Second, fundraising truly matters. Clinical trials don’t happen without funding, and knowing my dad’s treatment plan would likely involve a clinical trial at some point, I wanted to do something tangible. I’m not very good at sitting still or doing nothing, so this became my way of fighting alongside him and for him.
Running this marathon is about more than miles or a finish line. It’s about honoring my dad’s strength, supporting families navigating similar paths, and turning something incredibly hard into something hopeful. I’m proud to run with StacheStrong and grateful for the chance to be part of something that truly matters.
I had the most incredible experience running the NYC Marathon with StacheStrong. I’ve had friends run with different charities before, but I’ve never felt the sense of community that I did with this team. From following each other on Instagram at the start of training to finally meeting in person at the expo, I was able to connect with so many other runners, share stories, and even travel to the start line with a teammate, which really helped calm my nerves.
One of my favorite moments was introducing my parents to Colin after the race at Legends. They truly admire what Colin and his family have built. The personal nature of this charity is so special, and it made me feel like our family isn’t going through this fight alone.
The StacheStrong cheer zone also got me through one of the hardest parts of the race for me. 5th Avenue is no joke!
The NYC Marathon felt like a victory lap for the Collins family. In November, we celebrated clean scans, marking 15 months since my dad’s surgery to remove his initial tumor. It was such a meaningful period of normalcy and relief for our family after chemo and radiation.
Now, as I write this in January, my dad’s December scan showed two 1cm tumors next to the original site. He’s heading into surgery at MGH in Boston, followed by a clinical trial for a new drug meant to slow the growth of future tumors.
As our family enters this next chapter of my dad’s fight, we’re grounding ourselves in strength, positivity, and resilience. I’m so grateful for the StacheStrong family and the incredible support we feel from this organization. It truly feels like so much more than that.
Sarah Collins
Ran NYC marathon in 2025
Meet Our Marathon Coaches
Christian Thompson
My running career started on family walks where I would ask my dad to time me running to a random tree and back. I truly don’t know how far it was or if he even ended up timing me…
I ran cross country and track at Candor High School in Upstate New York where I won 5 state titles (3 in cross country and 2 in track). I went on to compete at the University of Colorado and I qualified for the 2009 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track Championships in the 3000m steeplechase. At the 2012 PAC 12 championships I placed 3rd in the 10,000m. I graduated with PRs of 13:59 in the 5k, 29:13 in the 10k and 8:49 in the steeplechase. I am still running competitively, including placing 20th overall and the 3rd American at the 2013 NYC Marathon. I also placed 18th overall at the 2018 Boston Marathon. Most recently, I qualified for the 2020 US Marathon Olympic Team Trials by running 2:17:59 at the 2017 California International Marathon. I would go on to place 163rd at the Olympic Trials in the hardest marathon of my life but also the one with the best experience.
To me StacheStrong means to always keep pushing. Cancer did not stop GJ from doing what he loved. He would get thrown off the horse, but always got back on and kept pushing. We all go through tough times, but we just have to keep pushing like GJ did. This is such a good mantra for running a marathon. No matter what level of a runner you are, you will have rough patches during the marathon, but just keep GJ in mind knowing that he never gave up. He just kept putting 1 foot in front of the other.
My Olympic Trials marathon was the most painful marathon I have ever done. It was my first marathon where I was seriously contemplating dropping out. GJ was one of the reasons why I got to the finish. If I did not do everything in my power to get to the finish then I would be disrespecting GJ and what StacheStrong means. I am looking forward to working with all of the StacheStrong runners and honoring GJ!
Christopher Gaube
Sport is my passion. Growing up I played all sports including Football, Baseball, Golf and Basketball. I was lucky enough to take on running seriously during the Spring of my Sophomore Year of High School. Mostly by accident- as a means to stay in shape during my AAU basketball season. A teammate of mine (GJ!) took me under his wing and taught me about PR’s, Mile Repeats, Fartleks etc. etc. and helped me find a knack and love for the sport.
I went on to run D-1 Track & Field and Cross Country at Binghamton University where I won multiple conference championships and lowered my PR’s to 14:30 for 5k and 30:35 for 10k.
Since college I have transitioned to more of a recreational runner, but have completed 7 marathons (3 Boston’s). I’ve also coached many friends and colleagues to PR’s across all distances. My crowing achievement was coaching my favorite runner (my wife Kimberly) to crush the 2018 TCS NYC Marathon.
To me StacheStrong means honoring GJ’s legacy by living every day to its fullest, fighting for every inch and doing it all with a smile. I look forward to supporting all the StacheStrong runners in the same manner GJ did for me many years ago!
Event Gallery
